Nerds That Geek Book Review: ‘From the Dust Returned’

Written by Scott Edwards

Over the years, I have always found that family reunions are anything but dull. After all, there are Uncles sitting back and talking about football, or what the government is doing wrong, and Aunts that enjoy catching up on the latest gossip from their different states and young cousins playing basketball in the back yard, talking about nothing of any importance. You think that these days could be the worst of times on occasion while growing up, but as you get older you learn to appreciate all that your family has to offer, make sure to treasure these times.

The same thing is about to happen in a small house in Illinois, since the Elliot Family is planning a large family reunion for All Hallows Eve. Not being a normal family by any means, young Timothy is talking to his Great Grandmere about his family history after she rises from an ancient slumber. Although this may seem normal, Timothy’s Grandmere is a mummy who stays in the attic of the house and is only to be awakened upon special occasions. Knowing this, Timothy is allowed to bypass this rule, since the family is coming to town and they must all prepare for the festivities ahead.

A family of Witches, Mummies, Gargoyles, Ghosts and anything else that goes bump in the night is coming to Illinois to celebrate this Halloween and all must be made perfect before their arrival. Timothy, a normal child who was left on the door step of this house years ago is still looking for his supernatural gift, and he is excited to see his extended family and hopes to find his true calling in this undead family. But problems persist as the family arrives, such as an Uncle that is not willing to put his wings away and cousins that are looking to visit insane asylums along with his Grandmother and Grandfather who will not put up with any mischief that the family will bring to town with them.

From The Dust Returned is a fantastic telling of how family chooses to stay together as everything starts to hit the fan. Trying to find ways to keep the undead from being lost in a purgatory of sorts, the elders take the lead to find a place for any of the lost souls so they can survive and carry on. Cecy, a wandering witch, seems to take over the great tale as she is able to jump from one person's mind to another, and she is able to control them, offer them suggestions and most importantly, teach them how to dance. Cecy also has the ability to house the minds of lost spirits for a time, which comes in rather handy as fires take place on Hallows Eve.

Another glorious read from Ray Bradbury. Taking the family dynamic and introducing a way of how the ‘others’ live just makes it fun. This novel takes you through several different stories involving how the family arrives, what happened in the past and what is happening in the present, from the perspective of each character. Not being able to hit on everything that this novel goes through, and just hitting on what I took to heart, Bradbury seems to have a love for his family gatherings, along with traditions. Two of the greatest things that should always be remembered for; is that your family loved you and did anything to protect you and that you taught people that tradition is more than love, it is one of the ways you can honor yourself, your family and most of all, others.  

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