I think Ray Bradbury is more of a magician than a writer. And this fact becomes clear pretty early on in "Dandelion Wine". I remember reading the first 10 pages or so and thinking I would love that book.
And as Douglas Spaulding kindly noted for me, Green Town is also full of things. Just like my dearest holidays, this book brought together so many aspects of live and weaved them together in a truly magical way. The characters, the stories, and mainly, the atmosphere, are so engulfing. "Dandelion Wine" makes you feel so good about yourself and the world around you, and I just love books like that!
Its messages are wonderful, various and perfectly described. "Dandelion Wine" reminded me that I should be happy about the little things, but not only those familiar pleasant ones, but also the slightly more tedious small jobs whose absence is obviously driving our modern society insane. I learned how important a lawnmower could be. I heard the cutest ode to sneakers ringing through my years. And I also found out that the world is an ingeniously composed happiness machine.
What's left for me to say? "Dandelion Wine" got me hooked for life. It's just my type of book, but I'm quite certain anyone can find something in it - either feel once more like the center of their own universe, just like they did as a child, or maybe get inspired by the Spaulding kids and write down some discoveries about the world.
Quietly amazing. A beautiful piece of prose.