Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews

by Ray Bradbury, Sam Weller

A definitive collection of interviews with one of America's most famous writers, covering his life, faith, friends, politics, and visions of the future.

Ray Bradbury, the poetic and visionary author of such classics as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , is one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. From Mikhail Gorbachev to Alfred Hitchcock to David Bowie, Bradbury’s sway on contemporary culture is towering. Acclaimed biographer and Bradbury scholar Sam Weller has spent more than a decade interviewing the author; the fascinating conversations that emerge cast a high-definition portrait of a creative genius and a futurist who longs for yesterday. Listen to the The Ray Bradbury Interviews is the definitive collection of interviews with an American icon.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Ebooks, Literary Criticism, Literature, Biography Memoir, Memoir

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2010

About the author

Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, and realistic fiction.

Bradbury is best known for his novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953) and his short-story collections The Martian Chronicles (1950), The Illustrated Man (1951), and The October Country (1955). Other notable works include the coming of age novel Dandelion Wine (1957), the dark fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) and the fictionalized memoir Green Shadows, White Whale (1992). He also wrote and consulted on screenplays and television scripts, including Moby Dick and It Came from Outer Space. Many of his works were adapted into television and film productions as well as comic books. Bradbury also wrote poetry which has been published in several collections, such as They Have Not Seen the Stars (2001).

The New York Times called Bradbury "An author whose fanciful imagination, poetic prose, and mature understanding of human character have won him an international reputation" and "the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream".

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagree with so many of Bradbury's opinions (Reagan was one of the best presidents; 2001 was a terrible film; In Cold Blood was Capote's worst book; Norman Mailer and Jackson Pollock are worthless; Joyce, Proust, and Nabokov are boring; Andy Warhol was an idiot; plot is more important than formal style), but I can't help liking this man after reading this collection of interviews conducted during the last decade by his biographer, Sam Weller. Now in his nineties, Bradbury is so full of love for life, the movies, writing, toys, his family, art, architecture, radio, comics, women, and his fans that his enthusiasm is infectious. The book is a bit superficial and can occasionally get bogged down in anecdotes about meeting celebrity fans and weeping with joy at nearly everything (the man is a true softy and everything he finds beautiful makes him cry), Bradbury shies away from revealing too much about his own behavior and ideas, and Weller is clearly an adoring super-fan, but it's an enjoyable, readable, beautifully designed book. Both elusive and honest, Bradbury has the ability to confound expectations. A political conservative, Bradbury nevertheless ardently supports gay marriage, finds the Patriot Act stupid, hates Eisenhower and Joseph McCarthy, is defiantly anti-war (particularly in the case of Vietnam), doesn't believe in organized religion, and has some complex and nuanced takes on Carter, Clinton, Bush I, and JFK. He is old-fashioned, a little square, a bit of a prude, and a Luddite (he doesn't own a computer, has never driven a car, and didn't fly until he was in his sixties), except when he's not. He's uncomfortable with cultural depictions of sexuality, profanity, violence, drug use, and crime, but he's frank about his own sex life, his two extra-marital affairs (he remains unapologetic and matter of fact about them), his love for the music of David Bowie, a hilarious recounting of his enjoyable time eating pot brownies (his only experience with illegal drugs, they made him think his penis was 12 inches long, so he kept eating them), and a penchant for getting drunk with famous friends. The most substantive chapters discuss his writing process, which is where I found my favorite quote in the book. He's asked how he returned to writing so quickly after the deaths of several family members when he was young and his wife's death from natural causes in 2003: "Work is the only answer. I have three rules to live by: Get your work done. If that doesn't work, shut up and drink your gin, and when all else fails, run like hell."

[Jules Nymo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beaming with excitement upon the fact the man himself, Ray Bradbury spoke to Sam and told of his childhood, sexuality, fame, his works, among many things in this book of interviews. I first learned about this book from Twitter and I, with my little knowledge and love for Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fahrenheit 451, knew I had to get it. The book arrived on my front porch and it took me a couple of months to finally dive in, which I am beating myself up about. This book made me think of that quote from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, "What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.”
Honestly, for the most parts throughout this book, I kept thinking, oh man I wished Ray was my friend. I would love to call him and talk about life, and books wherever I want to, but life doesn't work like that so here we are, on a review.

I had a lot of ideas as of how I would write this review but the more I read, I realized I just couldn't do it the justice. There are so many things in my head right now and I have no clue how the hell I am supposed to express my love in a neat review that would be appealing for others to pick up this book and read it. All I am asking is for you to pick this book up and just read it. Whether if you're a fan of Ray Bradbury or not, this book is wonderful nonetheless.

Here are two parts from the book which I hope you'll like to boost your interest in getting this full of life book of interviews.

What are your opinions of Abstract Expressionists? Jackson Pollock for example?

Jackson Pollock didn't know how to paint. There's nothing to see there.

How do you account for his popularity? His paintings are worth millions.

People are stupid.


This is one of many stories of how Ray Bradbury met a lot of famous people which I find to be amusing because he's Ray Bradbury!! He had always found such honor and excitement in meeting his idols such as Steinbeck and Walt Disney. yy

And you knew Walt Disney. How did you meet him?

I was Christmas shopping in a department store in Beverly Hills in 1964. All of a sudden, through the crowd of people, I saw Walt Disney coming near me. He had an armload of wrapped presents going up to his chin. I ran up to him and introduced myself. I said, "Mr. Disney, my name is Ray Bradbury and I love you." And he said, "I know your books." I said, "Thank God!" and he said, "Why?" and I said, "Because someday soon I would like to take you to lunch." And do you know what he said? He said, "Tomorrow!" Can you believe that? Who says that? "Tomorrow." So I went to his office and we had lunch at a little card table right there. We talked about all of our loves-animation, architecture, World's Fairs. He was wonderful. I had lunch with him three or four times before he died.

[Lisa of LaCreeperie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin?? This book is SO good. An excellent companion to The Bradbury Chronicles (as I've said in I don't know how many updates) they really should be read one after the other, preferably The Bradbury Chronicles first.

I loved learning about Ray--the man. I love that he was super sensitive, driven to tears upon experiencing anything that touched his soul. He is staunch in his beliefs, and not afraid to speak his mind--even if it got him in trouble. That is called punk rock ethos my friends.

Of course he had his flaws, like everyone. But at the end of the day, this planet is far worse off without him. At least we have his books.

I highly encourage anyone with even a casual interest in Ray Bradbury, to read his non-fiction. He will give you an insight to life you never knew before, and didn't know you needed.

A rare 5 stars from me.

P.S. Part of why this book is great is because of Sam Weller. He spent a decade (I think) getting to know and love Ray, and it shows.

[Maryann Larucci-Troche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

Reading this book makes me personally want to know Ray Bradbury. To have grown up with him and been his friend, his shadow. I can only say that his success is due to never having to work a day in his life and never letting that inner child grow up or leave him. I've never read anything by Bradbury but after reading him personally now I want to read all his imaginings. Thank you for this beautiful interview Sam Weller!

[Lauren Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found Ray Bradbury to be an utter delight and was not disappointed by these interviews. I enjoyed the formatting based on theme of discussion and learned so much about the man, some I already knew, some shocking, plenty about his past and creative process. I was amazed at all the people he knew and crossed paths with! Of course, I'm forever amazed at his talent and outlook.

[Gareth Howells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book.
The interviews are pitched perfectly with great questions and you learn a lot from a very candid Ray Bradbury.
I have read a similar book prior to this that was nowhere near as good.
Highly recommended.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting look at an amazing writer through a series of interviews. It is always fascinating to look into a writer's mind.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Sam Weller's biography of Bradbury wasn't enough indication, then this set of interviews confirms he is clearly an unabashed super-fan of the man who makes the capital "B" in the "ABC's of Science Fiction (Asimov and Clakre being the A & C).

And by most rights that is perfectly fine and makes this a nice (if somewhat redundant) companion to The Bradbury Chronicles. Weller prompts and lets Bradbury spout his doctrine; rarely does Weller prod for fear of stepping on toes or going over the line... though Bradbury more often than not is quite candid, especially in regards to sex and politics -- although his answers on politics are short and simple, frustratingly so at times mainly because I disagreed with him. So yes, he's opinionated, and steadfastly, stubbornly so at times but that is also apart of his charm.

What comes across in these pages most is his absolute love for life. Bradbury is one big contradictory ball of zen and wrath and love and selfishness and prudishness and adventure. It's hard not to find inspiration in his words on writing (Just get your work done; love what you do and do what you love), faith (the universe has no end or beginning; celebrate the mystery of life;You are Christ, I am Christ, we are God, all of us).

Any Bradbury admirer (or super-fan) will want to take a look at this one as there are plenty of wonderful anecdotes and asides, and some fine insights on living an impassioned life.

[jaclyn gleicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - "really liked it"

So originally I wanted to read more of Bradbury's work before reading this interview, to really get a sense of who he is through his writing. But I didn't have any of his other books and my little dorm room library is filling up so I read this (a friend's copy) and now it can be permanently checked out (giving back the book).

Bradbury is an interesting man to say the least. He has such rich life experiences that I never realized he went through. I knew he was an author, short stories and novels alike, but I didn't know he wrote screenplays and was so involved with film and theater.

Reading about Bradbury, being able to read and see the passion and love he has for the arts – whether it be writing, film, theater, art, architecture, etc – is a breath of fresh air.

Though I don't entirely agree with him and his opinions (mainly for politics because fuck Reagan), there's still so much worth reading in these pages. Especially if you're a budding writer, there's advice for you in here!

My only criticism of this book is that I don't think the pictures from his life were placed in the best possible way. Several times throughout the book, in the middle of the interview, there would be 3-6 ish pages consisting of only photos. On one page, there would be Bradbury in the middle of his answer, his story, then several pages of photos, then a continuation of Bradbury's answer. Basically the layout could've been better.

Also after reading this interview, I bought Death Is a Lonely Business and Dandelion Wine from Capitol Hill Bookstore (used books, support indie bookstores!). I'm extremely excited to read Dandelion Wine!

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Called a poet of the rocket age by Frank Darabont, the writer and director of Shawshank Redemption, Ray Bradbury lived to celebrate the mystery and glory of life. His imagination was cultivated as a child and he further educated himself after high school by reading and studying at the library 3 nights a week for 10 years.

I was fascinated by the interview segments in which he shared his creative process and his beliefs on faith and optimism. The segments on politics and Hollywood were not of much interest to me.

In the chapter on creativity he describes how he would create lists of nouns to generate story ideas. He drew upon everything he experienced, his reactions to those events, and the artistic experiences he learned by studying other writers, artists and musicians. With his lists of nouns he would use word associations to draft 100-200 word descriptive paragraphs for each noun, then bring characters on to talk about that noun or place. Thus, his focus on a fog horn or a train whistle became a story. When he wasn’t using nouns he would use images found in paintings or photos to create stories.

From his perspective science fiction pretends to look into the future, but it’s really reflecting on the truth that is immediately in front of us. This book is insightful for fans of his science fiction stories and for people who want to learn from his creative process.

[Philip Haagensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing treasure this book is. You feel as if Bradbury is in the room, giving you his opinions on everything such as his peers, politics, and passions. He speaks with alacrity and conviction, radiating positivity and joie de vivre, telling it like it is.

You get a clear picture of the man and his beliefs. There are quotable passages and incredible anecdotes centering on literary and Hollywood elite. Bradbury lived life to the fullest and with tremendous passion. These interviews provide a unique insight into his worldly perspective, allowing him as he says to open the attic door and pull a lizard out, one at a time. He shares his lizards with us and Sam Weller is in charge of corralling all those lizards in this brilliant book.

If you are a Bradbury fan, this is a must read. Casual fans may not find it as riveting as I did; however there are plenty of names dropped and entertainment anecdotes to keep many turning the pages. If nothing else it shows you that while Bradbury wrote “The Illustrated Man”, his illustrious career should serve as an example of how we all should live our lives fearlessly, jumping off the cliff and building our wings on the way down.

5 out of 5 stars.

[Shefi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray Bradbury is a force of nature. It is impossible to read any of these interviews or to hear or see him speak on the subject of reading and writing without being infected by his energy and enthusiasm. He is like Celtic music: impossible to listen to without tapping your feet.

Sam Welles has done a very good job of editing these interviews and divvying them up into sections with different themes: faith, famous friends, creativity, etc. With typical passion, Bradbury wrote, “Sam Weller knows more about my life than I do!”
That may only be a slight exaggeration, and it is great praise for, as testified many times in these interviews, Bradbury has a phenomenal memory for names, places and events.

The book has a generous collection of b&w photos, including my favourite: a very young and determined Ray outside his home at the age of 4. I first saw in the preface to his book “Zen and the Art of Writing”, where it is titled, “writer in residence.”

The final chapter, an unpublished interview conducted by George Plimpton, is wonderful, and Mr. Weller has done the world a great service by publishing it.

[Brian Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of meeting Sam Weller in February 2018 in Providence, RI, and picked up his book. I have been a Ray Bradbury fan for decades, and when given the opportunity to read interviews Mr. Weller conducted with Bradbury, I didn't hesitate. And for that, I am glad. Mr. Weller organized and presented his interviews with clarity and impact. Each section dealt with a specific topic--Childhood, Hollywood, Faith, Writing & Creativity, Science Fiction, to name a few. I learned things about the great man that I hadn't known, a tenderness, a love of life, that somehow left me more inspired by, gave me more insight into, Bradbury's stories. To anyone who is a Ray Bradbury fan, this is a must-have book. Highly recommended.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The casual mentions to Playboy (and even some kind of endorsement, I'm not going to talk about the opinions on sexuality of someone who's already dead, but this is a warning because, I don't think anyone is expecting it) and some other personal stuff threw me off a bit. But I must admit his approach to writing is interesting and that he surely knew his job.

Also it was good to see him mention his influences and appreciation for many types of art, his quest for creativity, his appreciation of the simple things, or these moments where he'd come up with some really nice insight on life. Definitely up for The Zen of Writing.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still love Ray Bradbury as writer and thinker. These interviews are enlightening, brilliant, and more than a little magical (as was his writing, as was his life). That being said, there are disappointments lurking in the corners of these pages. Opinions and biographical facts that are, let's say, bothersome, overwhelm me just a little, and I find myself wishing I didn't know them, so that Bradbury could remain a happy, innocent old science-fiction man in my consciousness. It's good to get to know people, though, and I should not argue with that.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Terrific insight into Ray Bradbury’s stories, writing and life philosophy. I have great memories of reading his novels and stories in my formative years, especially “Something Wicked This Way Comes” and “The Martian Chronicles”. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Bradbury in Tulsa in the mid-1990s, to tell him how important his books were to me, and he signed my copy of “Fahrenheit 451”, the top prize in my collection of signed books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me crying and laughing. It was a delightful book, thoughtfully created by author Sam Weller who also wrote Bradbury's biography. The book dedication tells you everything. Weller dedicated the book to his two fathers, one of them is Bradbury.
Weller then asks Bradbury everything he can think of under the sun. Not just about his writing but about his life and how he feels about all sorts of issues. Much like a son would ask his Dad. It is a delightful book and reads quickly.

[Roger Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection on the life and times of the greatest author of the twentieth century. His life was just as fantastic as his stories. From discussing his childhood, to cinema, architecture, literature, and all other loves of his life. From his time with Walt Disney, to his friendship with Ray Harryhausen and many other icons of their time. Wonderful work by Sam Weller, for helping Ray to truly live forever.

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bradbury answers questions on his life and on cultural matters. These late-in-life interviews in his 80s are better than expected (and not so different from the unpublished 1976 interview included as an appendix). A tolerance for RB's trademark enthusiasm is required. It's a nice read for fans like myself, even if I wish Weller had challenged him more on such topics as politics, technology or the limits of nostalgia.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of books I like, a few I love, and on a rare occasion, one I treasure. As a lifelong Bradbury fan, LISTEN TO THE ECHOES is a book I treasure. Through Sam Weller's interviews, I get the late night chats I always wanted. Broad in scope and intimate in detail. It's a pitch perfect book that pulls back the curtain and lets you get to know the man behind the work.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Folks, I just love Ray Bradbury. Like all of us, he's imperfect, but he's got the right idea. He believes love is the question and the answer; that joy is necessary for life; and that curiosity, creativity, and work are what we need to get by in this world.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Hat & Beard edition - http://www.hatandbeard.com/product/i-... - on CDonline soon.

[Boze Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I read a new collection of interviews or essays by Ray Bradbury, I'm reminded of how much his enthusiasm for books, the humanities and Hallowe'en has influenced me.

[Erick Mertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book of interviews. Bradbury is boastful, humorous, clear-headed and lively. One of the better interview collections I’ve ever read and would highly recommend.

[Nathan Asplund]

A treasure

[Aaron P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put Ray Bradbury is the reason I read science fiction. He isn't the only writer in the field I read, but his writing best exemplifies what I love about the genre. There are technical masters like Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke - men who might be too smart for their own good. They can tell you kinds of marvelous things about technology and the way things work. Ray has never been quite so concerned with such details, as he says in one interview he doesn't care how to build a rocket - he just wants to fly. You see even at age ninety and beyond Ray Bradbury is still in many ways a ten year old boy. He never gave up his love for toys or his sense of childlike wonder. Thus the imagination of Ray Bradbury has never been polluted with things that would otherwise limit his gift.

Throughout this book of interviews readers get a glimpse into the mind of a true legend. Sam Weller, the author of Listen to the Echoes also wrote The Bradbury Chronicles, an award-winning biography. For fans who want to know everything that is likely a better choice - however for those readers who just want 'the good stuff' this will suffice nicely. Each interview covers a set topic ; Childhood, Hollywood, Art & Literature, Sexuality to name a few. It isn't set up entirely chronologically, as some cover multiple decades . As a fan I am sometimes torn when it comes to reading about a writers 'intent' or 'reason' for writing this or that. On the one hand I am curious, but on the other some things are better left unexplained. This is especially true in the case of sci-fi in my opinion. These interviews balance those concerns well I think, although much of that is owed to Bradbury's own respect his readers in my view.

As one familiar with his work would expect, Ray Bradbury's influences are vast and numerous. His love of films is as complete as his love of rockets. He recounts his life as a teenager in Hollywood like it was yesterday. He was an obsessive fan, who was often posted outside or as near to studios as possible. He collected autographs of actors and directors in a little book he still cherishes to this day. Of course once his own star had risen in the world meeting celebrities became a much easier thing. A couple of my favorite remembered recollections were his meeting David Bowie and John Steinbeck. When explaining the diversity of his influences some might be surprised to hear that he hasn't read anything in his own field of science fiction in over fifty years ; However as a rapper who admittedly hardly listens to rap music anymore this fact resonated with me.

There are some details of Ray's past which seem perhaps too fantastic to be believed. For instance he claims to actually remember his birth. His defense to the assertion that this is untrue is that he was a ten month baby - that the extra month in the womb allowed his eyes to develop beyond the level of ordinary infants. While I fully acknowledge that Bradbury is anything but normal, this was still too much for me. Being the fan I am though I think it only right to allow a visionary, and one of fiction's true idea men to get away with a lie here and there. After all so many of Bradbury's lies are the best kind of lies, the ones you wish were true.

Bradbury is perhaps the best short story writer that has ever lived. This is how I first encountered his work, and likely what I will always remember about him. However he is also an accomplished novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and sometimes poet. He even once won an academy award for an animated short. In addition to all this Ray is the very definition of prolific. Throughout his iconic career he has written over 600 stories. Despite caring so little for being scientifically accurate he did write what may well be the most prophetic piece of sci-fi literature, Fahrenheit 451. This is evidence of not only his imagination but also his practical knowledge. When skeptics of the genre belittle the value of science fiction, I point them toward Ray Bradbury. After reading this collection of interviews I will do the same with any pessimistic complainers ; One need only look at Ray's many loves to be reminded of the good things. Ray loves books, movies, plays, music, people, toys, and rockets ; but most of all Ray loves life.

* review can be read, and heard on my blog
http://subliminalmaybe.blogspot.com/2...

[Mike Jozic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love oral histories. Biographies and memoir are all good and well enough, but there is something I particularly appreciate about the purity and the immediacy of primary sources discussing a topic of interest in their own words, mostly unfiltered through the perspective of the individual author.

It is because of this that I was quite thrilled to discover Sam Weller's book of interviews with Ray Bradbury. I'm not a huge fan of Bradbury's body of work but I have genuinely enjoyed what I have read and certainly recognise his place and importance in the field. I was looking forward to being introduced to a broader, and yet more intimate, perspective on the man and his work, and this I got in spades. Bradbury's stories of his life are wonderful and occur over an incredible span of time. The group of people he met and knew is a staggering who's who of film, television, and literature. I feel as though these stories are an important thing to preserve as they add to our cultural narrative but what was most interesting about this collection of interviews is the portrait of Bradbury that was ultimately revealed.

You have to admire someone who is filled with so much hope and love for the world but I often felt as though the 'truth' of what Bradbury discusses in his remembrances are more storytelling than fact. Not that these things didn't really happen to him but I think he has created a particular narrative of his life and has been adhering to it, and adding to it, for decades. It's also interesting to see his boldness and insecurities being revealed as certain stories don't quite stack up consistently. I very much get the feeling that Bradbury is more fragile an entity than he likes to let on.

As a last observation, I admired Weller for asking Bradbury to comment on real world hot topics like abortion, invasion of privacy, and other political sore spots and was honestly astounded at his naiveté. It was really quite surprising to hear him discuss his solution to the Isreal/Palestine issue, relating what a swell guy Gorbachev was and how Reagan was the best president ever for saving the economy and humanity from nuclear annihilation. Don't forget that we would have less people in prison if we taught everyone how to read and write and taught less math in schools. Perhaps these observations would seem less childlike in their simplicity if he were given a chance to respond at length but as it stands I'm glad that Bradbury himself has never been in charge of handling world diplomacy and has instead been happy simply influencing those luminaries who drive progress forward with his wonderful stories.

[RBR Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a few writers whose work stays with you long after you've put the book on the shelf. Stories that echo through your mind; inspiring, provoking, relaxing, or motivating. Tales that evoke simpler times when life was buoyed by breezes bending dandelions in the backyard, or reminding one to contemplate their place in history. Loving stories that wrap you in their visions of good and evil, life and living, death and dying. All brought to life from within the pages of a book that smells and feels of the stories contained inside its covers.
There are untold numbers of authors that can tell a good story, weave a compelling thriller, or pen a crafty mystery. But, there are precious few that can share their love of the tale, their love for life, and their love for each and every reader like Ray Bradbury can.
About a year ago, literary writer and journalist Sam Weller compiled Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews. Bradbury, approaching age 91 this coming August, is still full of life, love, and many more stories, poems, plays and maybe an opera or two (yes, opera!). Weller's collection of interviews is reasonably arranged to capture a few facets of Bradbury's many accomplishments, interests, and personal highlights from his own life. Weller assembled years of conversations, talks and intimate communiques between himself and Bradbury.
One thing stands clear among the name-dropping, travelogues, and writing guidance that gushes from every segment of Bradbury's comments - Love. Simple as it sounds, Bradbury wants to love and be loved. He loves anything and anyone that brings happiness to the world. He still lives the life of a child, relishing all manner of toys, memorabilia and reminders of good times. He loves that people love him and his work, but he does not seek fame. He loves the crowds of fans seeking his face and autograph - he never ducks a fan. He simply wants to enjoy the mutual revelry of their love for him and he for them.
On the whole, it seems trite or self-serving on his part to say he wants only to Love. But, he really means it - that is his only objective in anything he does - to love it, to enjoy it.
From the first time he put pen to paper when he was six years old, he writes to share stories of love - even if in the guise of dark places or outer space, the underlying theme is a singular desire to let the reader love the subject, the idea, or the possibilities unleashed from within the stories he tells.
If you've never read Ray Bradbury, you are missing a chance to be loved.
-RBR

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just reread this book, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as I did on my first reading, two years ago. Here's my review from August 2010:

I loved these interviews! Ray Bradbury is a fascinating person, and the book is really inspiring, since he has such great enthusiasm about people and things. He's opinionated, too, which adds to the fun. Among the topics covered are Bradbury's childhood, movies, comics, famous friends, religion, politics, and science fiction.

Here's a small sampling of Bradbury's opinions: 1) The Harry Potter books are wonderful, and he gave them to all of his grandchildren; he likens them to his Something Wicked This Way Comes; 2) He loves to get toys for Christmas; 3) Reagan was one of the great presidents of the 20th century; 4) He's in favor of gay marriage ("Love is love. All I want is for people to be happy"); 5) Bush I should have extended the Gulf War to Baghdad and overthrown Saddam Hussein; then Bush II wouldn't have inherited the problem; 6) Edgar Rice Burroughs "is probably the most influential writer in the entire history of the world"; he inspired a whole generation of kids, causing them to go out into the world and become special; he inspired lots of writers, scientists and technologists.

It's a wonderful book, provocative, informative and entertaining, and a great supplement to author Sam Weller's excellent biography The Bradbury Chronicles.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

While covering much of the same ground as the biography by the same author, this book is just interviews with Bradbury. The chapters are divided by subjects which range from Art to Sex, etc...
If there is any flaw in this book (as well as the bio.), it is that Mr. Weller idolizes Ray Bradbury perhaps too much; and Bradbury portrays himself as always the good guy where problems that have arisen in his life are usually someone elses fault. He even manages to justify the couple of extra-marital affairs that he had.
Nevertheless it does provide some insight into the man even though I have to disagree with a number of his opinions (especially in regard to politics and his dismissal of some other authors that I enjoy). But everyone is entitled to an opinion!
If you read Sam Weller's bio. of Bradbury, then this might seem redundant and unnecessary, but if you are looking for a bit more depth into Bradbury's psyche, this is worth a look.