A Graveyard for Lunatics: Another Tale of Two Cities [Paperback]

Ray Bradbury (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 26, 2001

Halloween Night, 1954. A young, film-obsessed scriptwriter has just been hired at one of the great studios. An anonymous investigation leads from the giant Maximus Films backlot to an eerie graveyard separated from the studio by a single wall. There he makes a terrifying discovery that thrusts him into a maelstrom of intrigue and mystery—and into the dizzy exhilaration of the movie industry at the height of its glittering power.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hollywood, Halloween night, 1954. At a midnight party in a graveyard adjacent to the studio where he works, the sci-fi screenwriter/narrator glimpses the dangling papier-mache corpse (or real body?) of a film magnate presumed killed exactly 20 years earlier. Then a prop man (or his effigy) is hanged, or else is on the run, and another studio hand is murdered. A Beast is loose, attempting to instill panic on the set, perhaps to cover up what really happened two decades ago. Bradbury eventually ties up the loose ends in a loopy funhouse of a novel peopled with a monocled, imperious Austrian-Chinese director; Lenin's ex-makeup man, from the Kremlin; a gaunt, sermonizing actor named Jesus Christ; a feisty ex-movie queen who demands that "J.C." bless her; and other oddballs. Madness, blackmail, murder and mayhem spell tricks and treats as Bradbury toes the fine line between reality and illusion.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A multilevel story about a man for whom the movies have been a childhood obsession, an adult vocation, and ultimately a horrible, mysterious collision of past and present. Set in a Hollywood film studio back lot, the book presents an interweaving of real film stars of the past and of current productions. Vivid descriptions of the studio world and the real world take readers on a fascinating tour of reality and illusion, both superbly drawn. Film buffs will revel in the inside atmosphere, and mystery fans will enjoy the complicated kaleidoscopic plot. Once again, Bradbury combines the real and the imaginary in a fascinating tale. --Peggy Hecklinger, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1st edition (June 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380812002
• ISBN-13: 978-0380812004
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #818,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920 - June 5, 2012) 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.'

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#4 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

#9 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#34 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

#4 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

#9 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

#21 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#34 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bradbury continues the magic, this time in Hollywood. February 21, 2002

By Mary Whipple HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Setting this novel during the glory days of Big Studio Hollywood, in which he himself was an earnest young screenwriter, Ray Bradbury sets out to create a murder mystery in which a twenty years-dead body is found on a ladder leaning against a wall between a graveyard and the movie studio next door. Over-the-top Hollywood characters and wannabes, "beasts" and monsters, and faux settings, such as Notre Dame, Calvary, and even the speaker's grandparents' house in Green Town, Illinois, fill this book with the illusions in which the film industry excels, while the machinations of ego-driven moguls provide motivations for murder.

No one should read this novel expecting a hard-boiled mystery, however. Bradbury's obvious love of people and of life itself is so heartfelt and overwhelming that it makes any sense of toughness unbelievable--and there are many other reasons to enjoy this book. Grounded by Midwestern values, fundamentally decent, and lacking the ego which seems to drive the rest of the industry, Bradbury shines in describing a mad Hollywood, "where great elephant ideas go to die. A graveyard for lunatics," where men so dedicate their lives to the creation of illusions that they often lose sight of reality. His wacky imagination flourishes, and it is clear that despite his sometimes flippant, tongue-in-cheek observations, his irony, and his criticism of Hollywood excess, that he loves the place and the exotic characters he meets there.

With imagery and descriptions that bring to life every aspect of studio activity, trenchant philosophical observations inserted casually (almost as throwaways), self-deprecating humor, and visions of plain folks challenging the studio bigwigs, Bradbury's mystery ambles toward an almost amiable conclusion.... For the lover of Bradbury, this is another chance to share his visions and his enthusiasm for a life lived honestly. Most readers will undoubtedly share the feelings of Constance, who tells speaker/Bradbury, "How lucky to be inside your skin...Don't ever change. We stupid doomsayers, cynics, monsters laugh, but we need you. Otherwise, Merlin dies, or a carpenter fixing the Round Table saws it crooked, or the guy who oils the armor substitutes cat pee. Live forever. Promise?" Mary Whipple Read more ›

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans of Hollywood History - Rejoice! June 30, 2000

By Suzanne DiRocco

Format:Hardcover

WOW! From the moment I saw the cover winking at me in the Cal State Fullerton bookstore 12 years ago, this has been my favorite book af all time! Mr. Bradbury mixes up a concoction of murder, mystery, and the Golden Age of movies and studio heads to delight the reader. His character development and authenticity ring true to anyone who has ever seen a silent film or a great science fiction epic of the 1950's. I just can't say enough about this book! It is one of the few that I take the time to go back and read over and over again like a chance meeting of old, comfortable friends (and according to my grandfather, Herb Hinthorne, Mr. Bradbury used to be the kid in rollerskates all over Hollywood - he often skated into Henry's, an old restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. where my grandfather hung out with his waitress-mom, looking for the movie stars!). Get your hands on a copy of this book, and enjoy!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incomparable October 24, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Another semi-autobiographical mystery written by Ray Bradbury, this sequel to "Death is a Lonely Business" is not only a superb work of fiction, it gives insights into Ray Bradbury's own life. This one centers around Bradbury's days as a screenwriter working with Ray Harryhausen. They look for the perfect monster for their new horror movie, but when they find it they stir up a coverup decades old. The description of a poor disfigured face is phenomenal. A highly recommend this book to any Bradbury fan.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable November 10, 2003

By Daniel Friedman

Format:Paperback

I remember an old tag line for a copy of The Martian Chronicles I had indicating that there was no writer quite like Ray Bradbury and that still holds true today. While certainly not in the upper echelon of his past classics, A Graveyard for Lunatics is certainly a page turner that keeps hold of your interest from start to finish. Bradbury uses Hollywood as a vessel for the much larger themes of death, fame, and religion and wraps it in a murder mystery. Unfortunately, and the reason I withhold a star, is that it becomes a little too easy to figure out a huge piece of the puzzle and knowing or assuming that as you read takes something away from the suspense. That being said, the plot is still very tightly constructed and the characters are, for the most part, very well drawn. A nice piece of work from the master.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful June 17, 2000

By "veliero"

Format:Paperback

Bradbury is not your average storyteller.

The characters in this book draw you in. They are humorous, charming, and have that Bradburian innocence that always brings me back for more.

This story is about passion--for the movies and their monsters. A search for the perfect movie monster pulls two men away from fantasy as they cope with the realities of Hollywood.

This story is beautifully presented and quietly thought-provoking. I recommend it highly to those who love Bradbury, old film, or good writing.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Charmed, I'm Sure May 9, 2005

By Jessica Proffitt

Format:Paperback

It's a sweet and simple fact of life: some people will like it, and some people will not. However, many pros and cons of this mystery novel are defiant and absolute. This novel contains well developed, attractive characters complete with their own pet peeves and since of humor. Also, there are remarkable philosophical questions with ample room for discussion and debate such as the "going home again" theme and the symbolism of the "another tale of two cities" within one city. However, some unappealing aspects of this novel included the fact it wasn't that much of a mystery. The clues, hints, and evidence given by Bradbury were obvious gestures to the truth and conclusion of the story. Other minor negative details such as one or two lacking characters and poor transitions withheld two stars from this mystery book. Otherwise, many compliments and much respect to Ray Bradbury. Charmed, I'm sure.