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SALT LAKE CITY — When Ray Bradbury was 12 years old in 1932, he attended a show of the carnival magician, Mr. Electrico. At the end of the show, Bradbury met the magician, who touched the boy with his sword and commanded, “Live forever!” Later in life, recounting this story, Bradbury said, “I decided that was the greatest idea I had ever heard. I started writing every day. I never stopped.”
The iconic American writer, who died on June 5 at age 91, after a long illness, will certainly live forever through his incredibly creative and innovative writing.
Bradbury graduated from high school in 1938 and then became a “student of life,” selling newspapers on Los Angeles street corners from 1938 to 1942. He spent his nights at the public library and his days at the typewriter until, finally in 1943, he became a professional writer. His first collection of short stories, “Dark Carnival,” was published in 1947, the same year he married Marguerite Susan McClure.
Occasionally I wonder why I can be so happy. The answer is that every day of my life I've worked for myself and for the joy that comes from writing and creating. The image in my mirror is not optimistic, but the result of optimal behavior.
–Ray Bradbury
The couple, who appropriately met in a bookstore, was married for 56 years before Marguerite, or Maggie, died in 2003. Maggie can claim as much credit for her husband’s success as he because it was she who went to work each day, in a time when women rarely worked outside the home, so Bradbury could stay home and write. Maggie also helped type final manuscripts for her writer husband. The couple is survived by four daughters.
Bradbury’s first well-known piece of writing, one that displayed his courage and creativity, was “The Martian Chronicles,” published in 1950. His best known work, “The Illustrated Man” and “Fahrenheit 451,” which many consider his masterpiece, followed a few years later.
The author’s talents were not limited to writing novels and short stories. Over his lifetime he also wrote poems, plays, essays and TV and movie scripts; worked as the creative consultant for the United States Pavilion in 1964; and in 1984 he created the interior metaphors for the Spaceship Earth display at Epcot Center, Disney World.
Bradbury's list of prestigious awards is lengthy and includes the National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American letters, an Academy Award nomination and an Emmy.
In 2005, in a book of essays titled “Bradbury Speaks,” the author wrote, “In my later years I have looked in the mirror each day and found a happy person staring back. Occasionally I wonder why I can be so happy. The answer is that every day of my life I’ve worked for myself and for the joy that comes from writing and creating. The image in my mirror is not optimistic, but the result of optimal behavior.”
If you have never read Bradbury’s work or would like to read more, the following are some of his most-loved books and short story collections. For a complete list of his work and more about the author, visit raybradbury.com .
- “Dandelion Wine” This magical novel is the quintessential summer read. With breath-taking prose, it encapsulates everything glorious and wonderful about being a child in summer time.
- “Something Wicked This Way Comes” This unparalleled literary classic is the story of an unusual carnival that rolls into town a week before Halloween. Strange and sinister, this book offers mystery on every page and stays with the reader forever.
- “The Illustrated Man” This collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories has remained in print since 1951. The book opens with the narrator meeting the illustrated man, a man whose entire body is painted with a collection of bizarre and magical tattoos, each an individual story. A mesmerizing and unforgettable read.
- “The Martian Chronicles” Fleeing a futuristic world on the brink of destruction, man arrives on Mars. The strange, mystical red world captures his imagination and changes him forever. Haunting and poignant, this classic was Bradbury’s first big success.
- “Fahrenheit 451” Guy Montag is a fireman, but not the kind of fireman we know. His job is to start fires, to burn any and all books and the houses that hide them. Few dystopian novels can stand up to the brilliance of “Fahrenheit 451,” a lasting and haunting commentary on what happens in a society that doesn’t treasure the written word. This book is often considered Bradbury’s masterpiece.
- “The October Country” Ray Bradbury’s second collection of short stories is an exploration of the macabre, inhabited by demons and magic. More than thrilling stories, this collection is a mature and in-depth study of human nature, displaying, once again, Bradbury’s masterful skills.
Book calendar:
- BYU Symposium on Books for Young Readers: Event for teachers, librarians, educators, parents and children's literature fans, July 12-13, at BYU, Provo. Registration deadline is July 6. For more information, visit the website.
- Provo City Libray: Hosting several wonderful summer events. Check them all out on the library's website.
- Orem Public Library: Hosting a summer book sale fundraiser, with new books up to 50 percent of retail. Visit the website for more details and for more summer events.
- >The King's English Bookstore: Semi-annual sale, June 14-17. Also hosting several author and book events.
- Weller Book Works: Fun author and book events. Check out the website for the details.
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*Teri Harman, author and book enthusiast, writes a bi-weekly column, Book Matters, for ksl.com and also contributes a monthly book segment to Studio 5. Her debut novel, "Blood Moon," comes out summer 2013.For more book fun, visit book-matters.com**
