Customer Reviews

The Cat's Pajamas: Stories

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Ray Bradbury is the consummate short story writer of the twentieth century, and this due in large part to the remarkable sense of time and place that he brings to his work. Pick up a copy of "The Illustrated Man" or "The October Country" or "Dandelion Wine" and you will immediately find yourself nostalgic for a time and place that maybe never was. Moreover, his ability to tie his collections together with common thematic elements makes reading any one of these books feel like something greater than the sum of its parts.

"The Cat's Pajama's" however, is a collection that spans some sixty years of his writing, and as such, the stylistic and thematic elements that usually lend cohesion to Bradbury's collections are noticeably absent. The result is a book better nibbled at than devoured. The lack of cohesion can be jarring, and in some ways distracts from the quality of the individual works, but when properly approached, these stories are everything a Bradbury fan could want.

This eclectic collection features some vintage Bradbury, as well as some interesting departures. Examples of the former are the classically creepy "Sometime Before Dawn" and the quirky science fiction of the "Mafioso Cement-Mixing Machine". While written some fifty years apart, they nonetheless share Bradbury's classic sense of style and timing. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the satirical "Hail to the Chief" in which some bad bets reverse five hundred years of American history, and the powerful, but definitely unexpected look at a marriage in "Where's My Hat, What's My Hurry?".

Other highlights include the noir-ish "A Careful Man Dies", as well as "The Ghosts" which explores the supernatural in a way only Bradbury can. "The Transformation" is a remarkably blunt (given that it was written in 1948) look at racial prejudice and violence in the south, albeit from a startlingly different angle. Finally, there are the touchingly sweet "The Cats Pajamas" and "(A Remembrance)" the latter of which is most reminiscent the bittersweet nostalgia of "Dandelion Wine".

There are a few head-scratchers in this collection, mostly because of an overabundance of ambition for a short work rather than flawed premise. However, overall "The Cat's Pajama's" is a unique retrospective on the evolution of Bradbury's work. As such, it is a real treat for longtime fans, but also a great introduction for new readers.

Jake Mohlman

There is no denying that the works of Ray Bradbury, from FAHRENHEIT 451 to THE ILLUSTRATED MAN, are literary classics. This month, the author of over 30 magnificent works adds another wonderful collection of short stories to his list of accomplishments. THE CAT'S PAJAMAS is a collection of twenty-two pieces spanning six decades. For the Bradbury fan there are the familiar characters of space travelers, wide-eyed children, small town folk and strange happenings. For those reading Bradbury for the first time, this is a fine introduction to the trademark style: sweetness mixed with sorrow mixed with strangeness and wonder.

Most of the tales in THE CAT'S PAJAMAS are quite short. Still, most of them pack a punch. In "Chrysalis," written in the mid-1940s, Bradbury addresses racial tension and inequalities in America when a white boy spends his summer tanning on the beach and turning as dark as his black friend only to be able to shed his dark skin at summer's end. Another story, "We'll Just Act Natural," also addresses racial issues as an African-American maid awaits the arrival of the white boy she helped raise. Does she mean as much to him, Bradbury asks, as he means to her? One of the most clever and enjoyable stories is "Hail to the Chief." In this piece, a drunken U.S. politician gambles away the country at an Indian casino, changing the future of the nation and inadvertently rectifying old injustices.

With Bradbury one expects flying saucers, creepy tales and strangers arriving in the night, and THE CAT'S PAJAMAS offers all those, too. In "Sixty-Six" a policeman is haunted by images of the dust bowl along a lonely stretch of highway. "A Matter of Taste" finds human space travelers encountering a kind and intelligent race of giant spiders.

However, these types of stories are outnumbered in this collection by the other type of fiction Bradbury does so well: nostalgic and interesting, always leaving the reader something, an idea larger than the story itself, to think about. In the title story, two strangers meet and find that they have much in common after coming across a kitten in the middle of the road. "The House" is a short tale about a newly wed couple who must begin to learn to see things the same way in order to create a future together. In these stories, and so many others in this collection, Bradbury successfully captures the moment when possibility with a capital "p" lays before each character, inviting them to make a momentous decision and perhaps change their life and definitely alter their outlook.

The interesting thing about this collection, besides all of Bradbury's original ideas, is that the stories here were written over such a span of time. It is not so much that he has been writing so long and had success over that time, although that is an amazing thing in and of itself. It is that the stories at once are works of their eras and, at the same time, transcend time. Bradbury has remained true to his style and his visions.

While THE CAT'S PAJAMAS is not the masterpiece of his career, it is a solid work that is sure to please his fans and create new ones. It is always a pleasure to read Bradbury, and this collection does not disappoint. The final piece in the collection is a tribute to his favorite writers, including Twain, Dickens and Shaw, in verse. No doubt, someday many renowned writers will be writing the praises of Bradbury and imagining themselves in his delightful company.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman

This is a nifty book, a great sampling of Ray Bradbury that literally spans short stories written from the mid-1940s to the present. While the stories are a little more "lighter" in nature than say some of his other works, they definitely have the same science fiction edge that Bradbury is known for. The stories have a way of making you really think about situations and life, and, as mentioned by one reviewer, seemingly have a "Twilight Zone" feel to them.

A few favorites in the book:

"The Cat's Pajamas": A man and woman, who are both cat lovers, find a small kitten in the middle of a deserted road and both hope to take it home. However, they both make a claim on it, so they have to settle whose it will be.

"All Hail to the Chief": Would you believe it! The senators have gone to an Indian casino and gambled away the entire United States while drinking it up. Just wait and see what happens when the President hears about this one. The President goes to the casino in hopes of figuring out how to get the country back, especially before the story leaks to CNN...

"Sixty-Six" : A man comes across a peculiar series of deaths on the highway while going across Interstate 66. Five people dead, all looking like they have come from the Dust Bowl in the 30s. The narrator tries to solve this mystery, and while driving, comes across a unique and mysterious individual riding a jalopy. Could this man have the answers?

"Sometime Before Dawn" : A mysterious couple comes to stay at a rooming house with a family. The narrator and his family can't understand why they hear the wife cry every night. The husband tries to comfort her. The couple seems to act strangely and say things that are elusive to the narrator. They don't appear to be from here.

This is a great book to check out if you want varied stories from one of the greater minds of science fiction. Although spread out from fifty years plus of writing, many of the stories still have great value today, and Bradbury is able to create unique situations of daily life.

3 1/2 stars

There are some great stories in Ray Bradbury's latest collection. Not every piece included here is top-drawer stuff, but there's more than enough that is to make the book worth your time.

One of my favorites was the light-hearted but still relevant "Hail to the Chief," about twelve drunk senators gambling away every state of the union one at a time at an Indian casino.

Some of Bradbury's later work may be too allegorical or not gritty enough for modern sensibilities, but it's clear from the better stories included here that Bradbury hasn't lost the spark of imagination that has ignited the hearts and minds of readers for more than half a century.

Ray Bradbury remains the master of the short story. Unfortunately, Ray's last collection of new stories, "One More For the Road" was a big disappointment to most Bradbury fans. The stories were depressing and seemed to center around old people facing death and the hopelessness of life...a far cry from the master storyteller we'd grown up with who always seemed to look with wonder toward the uncertain future, anxious to see what new devices and dreams tomorrow might bring. Now we are finally treated to another collection of Ray's stories, all but two of which are presented here for the first time. Most of these stories are from the past, when Ray was in strong form, though the ones from more modern times show promise. As with most short story collections, there are hits and misses here. One of the better stories here is "The Island", a short study in terror that starts strong and holds its own all the way until the disappointing ending. Still, it's a great look back at when Ray was in his prime. All in all, a good book and recommended for the Bradbury fan.

Over his astounding career, Ray Bradbury has proven himself to be equally adept at creating mind-boggling and thought provoking science fiction (I dread seeing how Hollywood will ruin "A Sound of Thunder" - it's on of my favorites), and relating intimate tales of everday life and relationships. "The Cat's Pajamas", which spans about 60 years(!) of Bradbury stories, is a quite satisfying testament to his versatility. There may be few "stand-out" stories in this particular collection, but most of the offerings are solid and enjoyable. Whether describing human encounters with a race of intelligent and kindly aliens who happen to be giant spiders (guess who the "real monsters" turn out to be!), or relating a debate between a man and woman over who will claim a stray cat, Bradbury proves once again he's among the best at writing compelling dialogue and weaving a fascinating narrative. I especially appreciate the way Bradbury tackles prejudice of all types with clever allegory or gut-wrenching irony, without being preachy. This worked for Rod Serling when he tried to deliver a message in "The Twilight Zone", and it works to even greater effect for Bradbury. "The Cat's Pajamas" is a fitting retrospective of an amazing career.

This book is a collection of magical stories. Ray Bradbury writes with eloquence, and all his stories touch the heart. His intelligent, welcoming, and transporting style of writing never ceased to amaze me as I slid myself into the pages of this book day after day. Better than just inducing amusement or entertainment, these stories made me think about my world, my relationships, and myself. This is a wonderful collection of tales that will stand the test of time. It's a tremendous work of contemporary literary art.

Ray Bradbury's stories are unique and always wonderful. They always take me back to the world of "Dandelion Wine". As always, the stories have unexpected twists.

My favorite story was "I Get the Blues When It Rains (A Remembrance)". In it he describes one of those special times with family or friends that happen in the course of day to day life that stand out as sparkling memories and can never be recreated. They are a gift when they happen.

"There is one night in everyone's life that has to do with time and memory and song. It has to happen-it must spring up with spontaneity and die away when finished and never happen again quite the same. To try to make it happen only makes it fail. But when it does happen, it is so beautiful you remember it for the rest of your days."

"One night about two months after that special fine evening, gathered at the same house, Elliot came in and passed by the piano and stopped, eyeing it dubiously.
'Play 'I Get the Blues When It Rains','I said.
He played it.
It wasn't the same. The old night was gone forever. Whatever had been in that night was not in this. Same people, same place, same memories, same possible tunes, but...it had been special. Now, wisely, we turned away. Elliot sat down and picked up his manuscript After a long moment of silence, glancing just once at the piano, Elliot cleared his throat and read us the title of his new short story.
I read next. While I was reading, Dolph's wife tiptoed behind us and quietly put the lid down on the piano."

Ray Bradbury has been writing short stories for the better part of 60 years. Most of his work is going to last a long long time after his death. Even the material that does not move into the future is still better than 95% of what is now available. The collection proves the rule.

The Cat's Pajamas is a collection of his work for the entirety of his career. It could alsmost be called a greatest hits, except only two stories have been previously published. So this is not his "best" work. The problem with this statement is that there is not a miss among the stories. Everyone is a winner and that is not easy. "The House" was written in 1948 is every bit as fresh today as when he wrote it and it holds up against "The Cat's Pajamas" from 2003.

Bradbury is still chasing the metaphor and it is a good thing for us that he still does. He still has the power. One thing that should not be missed is his introduction. Bradbury writes about the death of this wife and the reader finds out that she was his muse. It is very short and touching at the same time. Highly Recommended.

A collection of mostly unpublished short stories from the genre's master. When he's at his best, Bradbury's genius creates some wonderful gems. "Sixty-Six," a story about time-travelling dust-bowl Okies, is one of the best. In general, many of the later works printed here are as good as his earlier.

Bradbury uses "Chrysalis" and "The Transformation" to deal with issues of race by considering what it's like to be black and want to be white (in the former) and what it's like to be white and forced to be black. Even from the perspective of late 40s America, both seem contrived and bordering on racist. Regardless, the rest of The Cat's Pajamas is a read worthy of any Bradbury fan.