Todds of the SF Site said that the novel's power lies in the 'emotional attachment' it stirs in readers, because it is almost completely nostalgia in contrast to Bradbury's usual blend of horror/science fiction and nostalgia. According to Electric Literature, 'The book is Bradbury’s masterpiece, his fullest, most deeply felt and lyrical expression, touching on his usual themes of youth, old age and small-town life but stripped of their usual layer of sci-fi remove.' Georges D. Some critics consider Dandelion Wine to be Bradbury's most personal work. Other than that, he gets little character development and acts as more of a side character for Douglas and Tom's adventures. Charlie sometimes comments on a situation or on the behavior of other characters. Tom is also somewhat more childish and naïve than Douglas, often failing to understand the seriousness of Douglas' thoughts about his life nonetheless, he often acts as the voice of reason when Douglas' imagination gets the better of him.Ĭharlie: A friend of Douglas and Tom, Charlie often hangs around with them. Tom Spaulding: Douglas' younger brother, Tom is the more logical and skeptical one, often questioning his brother's seemingly inexplicable actions. Bradbury has stated that Douglas is based on the childhood version of him, and in fact, 'Douglas' is Bradbury's actual middle name, while 'Spaulding' is his father's middle name. Most of the time, he aims to have fun as a 12-year-old kid, but sometimes he lapses into philosophical brooding on topics, including life and death, more mature topics than what would be expected of his age. Douglas is imaginative, fanciful, and occasionally meditative on the state of the world. Douglas Spaulding: The protagonist of the novel, the entire summer is seen mostly through his eyes as a time of joys and sorrows.

The lonely one dandelion wine