Ray Bradbury: A Critical Companion

by Robin Anne Reid

Reviewers and critics have not always agreed on how well the science fiction label fit Ray Bradbury, but the immense popularity of works like The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man leaves no doubt as to the enduring status of this important writer. This Critical Companion examines, in a Literary Heritage chapter, the situation of Bradbury's works within the science fiction genre and explores thematic concerns that set works like Fahrenheit 451 and Dandelion Wine apart from conventional popular SF writings. This introduction to Bradbury, written especially for students, traces Bradbury's interesting life, examining his early literary efforts, his forays into Hollywood, and his recent writing projects. Eight of Bradbury's major works are discussed at length, each in its own chapter, including two works published within the last ten A Graveyard for Lunatics (1990) and Green Shadows, White Whale (1992). Clear, thoughtful analysis is also given for The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Something Wicked This Way Comes , and Death Is a Lonely Business .

In each chapter, analysis of the important literary components is plot, setting, characters, and themes. In addition, the genesis, critical reception, and an alternate reading of each work is also discussed in clear terms for students and general readers. Suggestions for further reading on Bradbury and his writings are also provided in a select yet extensive bibliography. This volume is ideal both for students reading Bradbury for the first time and for dedicated Bradbury fans who wish to appreciate his work with a deeper critical perspective.

Genres: Nonfiction

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Robin Anne Reid, Ph.D. (University of Washington, 1992; M.A., Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College, 1984; M.A., Creative Writing/Poetry, Western Washington University, 1981; B.A., Western Washington University, 1979), is a Professor in the Department of Literature and Languages at Texas A&M University—Commerce.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of critical essays is OK. It was published in 2000 and while some of them are insightful, they are rather simplistic as a whole. Each section goes through a work by Bradbury— plot, setting, themes, character development, and then ends with a critical analysis (gender, feminist, semiotic, postmodern, etc.). The critical essays are ok. Nothing brilliant, but I could see myself using some of this with my HS students. The F451 part has some insight and would be a fine intro to critical theory (if I wanted to kill the book and irritate the ghost of Ray Bradbury).

This does make me wish I taught at a bigger high school where I could teach a lit class all focused on Bradbury. That would be all kinds of fun.