I cannot think of an appropriate adjective for this essay… or for the experience as a reader who’s read it. Every word that comes to mind falls short. So instead, I will say thank you for writing it! It is inspiring, to say the least, and only further deepens my admiration and curiosity for a creative soul and visionary who is much newer to my awareness than yours.
I look forward to following the links you provided. Thank you for those as well.
I had several thoughts, as I read through this, about the many things you shared, but I think what stood out most (and made me smile) is how appropriately named your English teacher was. What a cool personal connection between Bradbury’s writing and your own that middle-school story is. ✨
Every word Ray Bradbury ever wrote in his books is haunting, always leaving something to think about. This essay is such a great reminder of all his great work!
Excellent and deeply considered article Matt, thank you. As an October child myself, I certainly appreciate the Bradbury-tinged mood that this month and season inspires. I was fortunate enough to have a teacher read my class ‘The Pedestrian’ when I was eleven and it has stayed with me ever since. Such a rich and dark seam of dystopian horror runs through it and so much of Bradbury’s other work. I was also recently ecstatic to be gifted by my wife a signed copy of ‘Match to Flame: The Fictional Paths to Fahrenheit 451’, which provides a comprehensive insight into the long creative journey that led to that masterwork that includes both ‘Pillar of Fire’ and ‘The Pedestrian.’
I wasn't aware of that book, Michael, so thanks for alerting me!
Like you, when I was in fifth grade I had a memorable experience of a teacher reading something aloud, which had a lasting impact on me. But in this case it wasn't Bradbury but Madeleine L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME. Led me to read all the books in that series, more than once. Then I reread them again as an adult. Early literary experiences like that, with teachers who take the time to introduce students to beautiful books by reading them aloud, are so powerful.
Thank you for writing this wonderful essay on Ray Bradbury. I recall opening my older brother's paperback copy of "The Illustrated Man" at some point in the mid-70s and being transported. I return to his work regularly, particularly The October Country and the utterly enchanting creation that is The Martian Chronicles, which I was first introduced to in the format of a play that we read aloud in a middle school English class. I think that while Bradbury's voice is universal one, there is something about it that resonates particularly with those of us who grew up in small town America in the second half of the twentieth century.
I think you're right about his appeal. Also interesting how his voice resonates with millions who didn't grow up in that small-town, post-war environment, but who find it strangely fascinating and comforting. There's an core element of nostalgia in much of his writing, and for many people it successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia for something they never actually experienced.
It's interesting that you name drop Thomas Ligotti as a similar influence, considering Ligotti has written himself into the living embodiment of pessimism. I can see Ligotti and Bradbury actually despising each other's belief system. Bradbury's tirade against cynicism applies to Ligotti's philosophical statements, which in turn deride the kind of optimism Bradbury writes about with equal passion. Living on in your grandchildren is the kind of thing "Conspiracy Against the Human Race" is directly trying to destroy, after all.
I believe that you easily balance this dichotomy within yourself, and I mean no disrespect to either man in the comparison. I was just wondering if that was something you've thought about.
That's an astute observation, David. Yes, I've definitely taken note of the stark disparity and even opposition between Ligotti and Bradbury as leading figures within my world of personal influences. It kind of reminds me of the co-existence of those dystopian and utopian urges or energies within Bradbury himself. A line from one of the essays in his ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING comes often to mind for me. Regarding the extreme variance in different types of effects that can be achieved in art, he said, "The art aesthetic is all encompassing, there is room in it for every horror, every delight, if the tensions representing these are carried to their furthest perimeters and released in action. I ask for no happy endings. I ask only for proper endings based on proper assessments of energy contained and given detonation." I'm instinctively drawn to regard philosophical viewpoints with the same inclusive attitude. And as I write this, I somewhat remind myself of the famous characterization of metaphysics as a branch of fantastic literature in Borges's "Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius."
He's one of my many mentors I never met, as well....
I think we are legion.
Yes. Try finding a speculative fiction writer who doesn't know of and admires him.
I cannot think of an appropriate adjective for this essay… or for the experience as a reader who’s read it. Every word that comes to mind falls short. So instead, I will say thank you for writing it! It is inspiring, to say the least, and only further deepens my admiration and curiosity for a creative soul and visionary who is much newer to my awareness than yours.
I look forward to following the links you provided. Thank you for those as well.
I had several thoughts, as I read through this, about the many things you shared, but I think what stood out most (and made me smile) is how appropriately named your English teacher was. What a cool personal connection between Bradbury’s writing and your own that middle-school story is. ✨
Mrs. Divine really was exactly what her name would imply (or rather, what it directly states).
I'm glad I've inspire you to develop your acquaintance with Bradbury and his work!
Every word Ray Bradbury ever wrote in his books is haunting, always leaving something to think about. This essay is such a great reminder of all his great work!
Thank you, Caroll!
Excellent and deeply considered article Matt, thank you. As an October child myself, I certainly appreciate the Bradbury-tinged mood that this month and season inspires. I was fortunate enough to have a teacher read my class ‘The Pedestrian’ when I was eleven and it has stayed with me ever since. Such a rich and dark seam of dystopian horror runs through it and so much of Bradbury’s other work. I was also recently ecstatic to be gifted by my wife a signed copy of ‘Match to Flame: The Fictional Paths to Fahrenheit 451’, which provides a comprehensive insight into the long creative journey that led to that masterwork that includes both ‘Pillar of Fire’ and ‘The Pedestrian.’
I wasn't aware of that book, Michael, so thanks for alerting me!
Like you, when I was in fifth grade I had a memorable experience of a teacher reading something aloud, which had a lasting impact on me. But in this case it wasn't Bradbury but Madeleine L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME. Led me to read all the books in that series, more than once. Then I reread them again as an adult. Early literary experiences like that, with teachers who take the time to introduce students to beautiful books by reading them aloud, are so powerful.
Thank you for writing this wonderful essay on Ray Bradbury. I recall opening my older brother's paperback copy of "The Illustrated Man" at some point in the mid-70s and being transported. I return to his work regularly, particularly The October Country and the utterly enchanting creation that is The Martian Chronicles, which I was first introduced to in the format of a play that we read aloud in a middle school English class. I think that while Bradbury's voice is universal one, there is something about it that resonates particularly with those of us who grew up in small town America in the second half of the twentieth century.
I think you're right about his appeal. Also interesting how his voice resonates with millions who didn't grow up in that small-town, post-war environment, but who find it strangely fascinating and comforting. There's an core element of nostalgia in much of his writing, and for many people it successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia for something they never actually experienced.
Terrific read, as always!
It's interesting that you name drop Thomas Ligotti as a similar influence, considering Ligotti has written himself into the living embodiment of pessimism. I can see Ligotti and Bradbury actually despising each other's belief system. Bradbury's tirade against cynicism applies to Ligotti's philosophical statements, which in turn deride the kind of optimism Bradbury writes about with equal passion. Living on in your grandchildren is the kind of thing "Conspiracy Against the Human Race" is directly trying to destroy, after all.
I believe that you easily balance this dichotomy within yourself, and I mean no disrespect to either man in the comparison. I was just wondering if that was something you've thought about.
Regardless, great job here!
That's an astute observation, David. Yes, I've definitely taken note of the stark disparity and even opposition between Ligotti and Bradbury as leading figures within my world of personal influences. It kind of reminds me of the co-existence of those dystopian and utopian urges or energies within Bradbury himself. A line from one of the essays in his ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING comes often to mind for me. Regarding the extreme variance in different types of effects that can be achieved in art, he said, "The art aesthetic is all encompassing, there is room in it for every horror, every delight, if the tensions representing these are carried to their furthest perimeters and released in action. I ask for no happy endings. I ask only for proper endings based on proper assessments of energy contained and given detonation." I'm instinctively drawn to regard philosophical viewpoints with the same inclusive attitude. And as I write this, I somewhat remind myself of the famous characterization of metaphysics as a branch of fantastic literature in Borges's "Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius."
Thank you for the wonderful reply! I'll read the Uqbar story post-haste!