Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars [Paperback]

Ray Bradbury (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2006

He is an American treasure, a clear-eyed fantasist without peer, and a literary icon who has created wonder for the better part of seven decades. On subjects as diverse as fiction, the future, film, famous personalities, and more, Ray Bradbury has much to say, as only he can say it.

Collected between these covers are memories, ruminations, opinions, prophecies, and philosophies from one of the most influential and admired writers of our time. As unique, unabashed, and irrepressible as the artist himself, here is an intimate portrait, painted with the master's own words, of the one and only Ray Bradbury—far more revealing than any mere memoir, for it opens windows not only into his life and work but also into his mind and heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The grand master's many fans will delight in behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of such science fiction classics as The Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked This Way Comes (which began as a film project for Gene Kelly), but that's just one of Bradbury's many facets on display in this collection of 37 essays. We also learn about his encounters with famous men, from Walt Disney to Bertrand Russell; adventures in Hollywood; and even his love for going out in the rain. Some of these stories may be familiar, and some are told twice, but Bradbury's friendly, conversational tone always makes them worth hearing again. (The tale of how he overcame his fear of flying especially benefits from the jocular narration.) Some of the essays haven't been seen in decades, like an introduction to a paperback edition of Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which cleverly juxtaposes captains Nemo and Ahab, and a dozen are being published for the first time. Whether Bradbury is talking about cross-country train trips or manned flight to Mars, his enthusiasm remains as contagious as ever. The intimate connection many readers already feel through Bradbury's fiction will be strengthened by these highly personal reminiscences. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Still productive and in frequent demand for public appearances at 84, Ray Bradbury has achieved a status won by few other science-fiction writers. As Sam Weller's highly praised biography, The Bradbury Chronicles (2005), highlighted, Bradbury's broad influence on the genre and popular culture in general justifies his establishment as an American literary icon. Throughout a career spanning more than 65 years, he has tried his hand at fantasy, sf, poetry, mysteries, screenplays (most notably for Moby Dick), theatrical plays, and even opera libretti. Here, in his latest collection of essays, he weighs in on a medley of topics, including the allure of Paris, his enthusiasm for trains, the genesis of his most popular novels, and his reasons for remaining a die-hard optimist. In one essay, he suggests alternate, and often better, endings to famous films; in another, he pays homage to L. Frank Baum's Oz books. By turns whimsical, insightful, and unabashedly metaphoric, his prose is immediately accessible as well as thought-provoking. Fans and nonfans alike should enjoy. Carl Hays
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (August 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060585692
• ISBN-13: 978-0060585693
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ray Bradbury has published some 500 short stories, novels, plays and poems since his first story appeared in Weird Tales when he was twenty years old. Among his many famous works are 'Fahrenheit 451', 'The Illustrated Man' and 'The Martian Chronicles'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Bradbury Fans, November 3, 2005

By 

David Clow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars (Hardcover)

Reading these essays, anecdotes, love letters and diatribes is like sitting in the room with Mr. Electrico himself. For Bradbury fans this is a sweet bottle of dandelion wine from the vintner himself. Much less formal than his usual writing, but much more personal because he just shoots from the hip here, and from the heart.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Essays of Love From one of the Modern Masters of Literature., August 21, 2005

By 

scarywarhol ":-)" (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars (Hardcover)

This new book was a pleasant surprise; 37 essays by Ray Bradbury, all labours of love, and all very breezy to read through.
Despite the fact that they are essays, they are written in Bradbury's usual poetic, flowery style which some love and some are annoyed by. Those who are annoyed by it probably are the type of people who never look at anything beyond it's face value and can't stand to watch a film that doesn't include constant, unnecessary yapping, but I digress.
The topics Bradbury covers range from the origins of his books, his thoughts on his city (Los Angeles), movies, other writer's books, history, and his friendships (with Walt Disney and Gene Kelley of all people!), and hapiness.
It helps to be a dedicated Bradburian to read this, and dedicated Bradburians are probably the only ones who'd buy it, judging from the Amazon sales rank, but it's engaging no matter who you are.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rare glimpse into the mind of a brilliant writer..., July 13, 2006

By 

Yasmine F. Galenorn "Magic, Mystery, & Mayhem... (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars (Hardcover)

Ray Bradbury has perhaps been the most author who has most influenced my own writing. When I saw this book, I had to have it. What a wonderful glimpse into the mind of a man who can turn language into music, who can make prose sing like poetry. From the first time I checked out one of his books at the library--when I was around nine or ten years old--he taught me that it's possible to transcend the the borders between genres. What a wonder to get a glimpse into the years that make up his life. The only reason I put four instead of five stars is that I'd like to see a true autobiography, in his own words, that looks over the eighty-plus years he's walked the earth.