56 pages • 1 hour read
Ray BradburyDandelion Wine
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1957A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Dandelion Wine chronicles the summer of 12-year-old Douglas Spaulding in Green Town, Illinois, capturing the magic and growth of childhood through a series of interconnected vignettes. These nostalgic stories encompass a range of genres, including fantasy and magical realism, as Douglas experiences the wonders and mysteries of growing up. The book contains references to spanking as punishment and uses outdated language regarding African Americans.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury is lauded for its evocative prose and vivid portrayal of 1928 summer life, invoking nostalgia and the simple pleasures of childhood. Critics appreciate its heartfelt and poetic narrative but note that the episodic structure and sentimental tone may deter some readers. Overall, it's celebrated for its imaginative and reflective quality.
Who Should Read Dandelion Wine?
Fans of Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine will likely appreciate its nostalgic and poetic exploration of childhood and summer in a small town. Readers of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird will find similar themes of innocence, wonder, and communal life.