What? He can’t die. He’s immortal. He has more books to write. These thoughts zipped through my head when I first read about his death on Huffington Post. I was stunned. I mean, please, this writer is supposed to be immortal.
Does he need an intro? Probably not. But just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last 40 years, read about him here. My first exposure to Bradbury was somewhere in the early 1960s, when we were living in Venezuela. A friend handed me Farenheit 451 and whispered, “You want to write, Trish? Then you gotta read this book.”
There was something strangely furtive and subversive about this exchange, out in a middle school hallway. Maybe the book had been banned already. Maybe this girl’s parents objected to it. Whatever, I took the book and once I opened it, couldn’t put it down.
As a writer, Bradbury changed my idea of what’s possible in novels. On a human level, he put me on alert about the insidious ways that governments manipulate the dissemination of ideas. Later on, in college, I remember watching the movie version of Farenheit 451 and enjoying it as much as I had the book. The ideas stuck with me. In The Hunger Games, there’s a kind of tribute to Bradbury in a book-burning reference.
When I read The Martian Chronicles, well, I was there, on Mars, and I felt what those characters felt, lived alongside them. In Something Wicked This Way Comes, in all of his beautifully written books, I was reminded about the magnificence of language, about the incomprehensible imagination that poses a question – What if? – and runs with it in a way that speaks universally.
Perhaps Bradbury’s greatest gift was that he could present complex ideas in stories so beautifully written, through the eyes of characters so real, that we were engaged from page one. Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan, you’ve probably read Farenheit 451, now a staple in many high school reading lists. But in the event that you’ve never met this guy and his books, then by all means treat yourself to the bonanza that is Bradbury. You will never see the world in quite the same way again. And for a writer, is there any greater compliment?
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Drop by Daz’s blog for more treats about Bradbury. Daz beat us to it on this post.
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And we can’t forget about another writer today. HAPPY B-DAY Trish!!! From Rob, Megan and the animal gang (Noah, Nica, Simba, Tiger Lil, and Powder).
Trish,
On this, your anniversary of your natal day, live long and prosper.
“Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you.
Unfold your own myth.” -Rumi
Be well,
Laurence
Thanks, Laurence. Like Spock!
Here’s a quote from “The Martian Chronicles” (1975):
Martian: “Anyone with eyes can see the way to live.”
Rock Hudson: “How?”
Martian: “By watching life, observing nature, and cooperating with it. By living life for itself, don’t your see? Deriving pleasure from the gift of pure being. Life is its own answer. Accept it and enjoy it day by day. Live as well as possible. Expect no more. Destroy nothing, humble nothing, look for fault in nothing, leave unsullied and untouched all that is beautiful. Hold that which lives in all reverence, for life is given by the sovereign of our universe, given to be savored, to be respected. But that’s no secret.”
From THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, 1979.
I knew Bradbury was in his 90’s, but as you say, he just couldn’t leave this world. He was a visionary, and a humanitarian in his way of seeing too.
Here’s a toast to him, and to your birthday as well, Trish!
Thanks, Lauren! Great quote fro the chronicles. I’m sure he’s already busy writing on the other side!
A very Happy Birthday Trish! Wishing you all the best.
I’ll have to revisit Bradbury…just as my own farewell. He will be missed.
Wishing you a joyous and Happy Birthday again Trish!
Now I understand this! Just got your beautfiul cards. Thank you!
The only book of his that I have read was “Fahrenheit 451” and I saw
“Something Wicked This Way Comes” around the time it came out at the movies
(I never knew he wrote it specifically for his good mate Gene Kelly,until today)
Oh…and I also saw “Fahrenheit 911″…wasn’t that his as well ?-)
And Happy Birthday Trish.
May you live on well beyond 91,and with full health to boot.
Thank you all for the birthday wishes!
What I love about Bradbury is that he kept writing when he could have long ago retired!
But can ‘real’ writers ever retire? I doubt it as it goes beyond wealth or money.
Happy Birthday Trish!
I think that when you have a passion, you keep at it regardless of age.
He was kind of the opposite to JD Salinger wasn’t he…although Salinger died of natural causes at his home in New Hampshire on January 27, 2010. He was 91.
Both 91…what are the odds.
I read “Catcher” in March 2010
( I had ordered “Catcher” the night before Salinger died)
and I read “Fahrenheit 451″ just after “Catcher”.
The funny thing was that I didn’t know Salinger was still alive when I ordered “Catcher”,I just assumed that he was long dead. Wasn’t I surprised the next day to see headlines of his death on the internet?
I knew Ray was still alive when I was reading
“Fahrenheit 451″,and I kept thinking while reading it that I hope me reading his book doesn’t kill him,too.
Weird one, Daz. But I know what you mean…
Now Mr. Bradbury perhaps can inspire, from The Other Side, some struggling writer here who will pick up his pen and keep on keeping on! We say ‘rest in peace’, but I have a feeling Ray Bradbury shall not be resting but shall be quite busy Over There as he was while in the flesh!
Happy Happy Day, dear Trish!
I have read just about everything he wrote, and some more than once. He will be truly missed, and I agree with you; Ray Bradbury was a truly great writer and human being. Thanks for this beautiful eulogy.
bradbury – the best of the best for sure! rip –
and to that other best of the best, HAPPY HAPPY, TRISH!!!
He was such a visionary and F451 has always stuck with me!
Happy Birthday Trish!!!!! Have a WONDERFUL day!