Yesterday Ray Bradbury passed away and I wanted to write a little bit about the importance of his work to me. Today’s comic probably took place when I was about 11 or 12 years old. Although I can’t remember the exact age, I can recall (with staggering detail) the moment that my dad gave me The Martian Chronicles. I can’t say how much science fiction I enjoyed before then, but that book began my obsession with sci-fi and laid the groundwork for my fascination with the horror genre. I’ve enjoyed many of Bradbury’s other books, but the significance of the The Martian Chronicles in my life has long given me a special connection to Bradbury.
Bradbury’s stories encouraged me develop my own perspectives and think in unconventional ways. For that I am thankful and I know that I am a more creative person because of his work. Thank you, Ray Bradbury.
"Josh, we got you something"
"'The Martian Chronicles' was my favorite book when I was your age"
Thank you Ray Bradbury"
Yeah, that really sucks. He gave some marvelously cranky interviews in his old age, too. But it’s a definite loss.
Funny, I have the exact same ability to very vividly recall when my own dad suggested I order the LOTR boxed set from the book fair at school.
Well said, Josh. Bradbury was a bit of a curmudgeon (surpassed only by Harlan Ellison), but he had a vision and style that grabbed my attention at about the same age. He will difinitely be missed.
Wonderful. Bradbury was the man. This simple personal tribute says all it needs to say…
The only Ray Bradbury I have read is Fahrenheit 451 loved it. But for me my fantasy kick started when I was a wee boy and my parents would read me Chronicles of Narnia to go to sleep. By the end of the series I could read them. Soon after I was the weird kid carrying around JRR Tolkein.
@Shaun, @Jon Agreed, he was definitely a cranky dude, though I can totally understand his disposition as a result of the disparity between his visions of the future and how the world developed throughout his life.
@Tobias Thank ya!
@Shaun, @DB Thank goodness for the books that helped make us the nerds we are!