Title: The Illustrated Man
Author: Ray Bradbury
First published February 1, 1951
186 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780007127740 (ISBN10: 000712774X)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
Olivia Parker is content with her life as a successful lingerie shop owner. The last person she expects to see in her shop is Michael Wallace, her high school sweetheart and the man who broke her heart.
Despite her best efforts to resist, Olivia finds herself drawn to Michael’s irresistible charm and good looks. But when Michael reveals his plan to leave town after shooting a movie, Olivia knows she can’t risk falling for him again.
However, Michael’s plan is derailed when he realizes that Olivia might just be the missing piece in his life. Can they overcome their past and find a future together, or will their fear of getting hurt keep them apart?
About the Author
Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American writer born on August 22, 1920, in Waukegan, Illinois. He completed high school in Los Angeles in 1938 and despite not continuing with formal education, he always remained a student of life.
Bradbury sold newspapers on L.A. street corners from 1938 to 1942 and spent his nights in the public library while his days were spent at the typewriter. He became a full-time writer in 1943 and published numerous short stories before compiling them in a collection in 1947.
Bradbury became known for his courage and vision with the publication of “The Martian Chronicles” in 1950 which depicted the first attempts of Earth people to conquer and colonize Mars along with its unintended consequences. He followed this with “Fahrenheit 451” in 1953, which many consider to be his masterpiece.
It is a scathing indictment of censorship set in a future world where the written word is forbidden. Bradbury has published more than thirty books, close to 600 short stories, and numerous poems, essays, and plays.
His short stories have been included in over 1,000 school curriculum “recommended reading” anthologies.
Bradbury has received numerous awards, including the O. Henry Memorial Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America, and the PEN Center USA West Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was also awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in November 2000.
Bradbury’s creative talents extended beyond writing, as he was also nominated for an Academy Award for his animated film, “Icarus Montgolfier Wright.” He won an Emmy Award for his teleplay of “The Halloween Tree” and adapted sixty-five of his stories for television’s “Ray Bradbury Theater.” He was the creative consultant on the United States Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and created the interior metaphors for the Spaceship Earth display at Epcot Center, Disney World, in 1982. He later contributed to the conception of the Orbitron space ride at Euro-Disney, France.
Bradbury married Maggie in 1947, and they raised four daughters together and had eight grandchildren. Maggie passed away in November 2003.
Bradbury continued to write and said, “The great fun in my life has been getting up every morning and rushing to the typewriter because some new idea has hit me.” He felt no different at eighty years old and was full of a great sense of joy. He had good plans for the next ten or twenty years and hoped his readers would come along.
Editoral Review
Ray Bradburys The Illustrated Man has been a classic staple in science fiction literature since its initial publication in 1951. Bradbury, known for his tales of dystopian societies, unique visions of the future, and the human condition, delivers a collection of short stories that are interconnected through the narrative of a sentient tattooed man.
The Illustrated Man is a stunning example of Bradburys talent as a writer and his mastery of the short story format. The book transports readers into a world where the tattooed man is perceived as a freak, an outcast, and a thing of curiosity.
The man is a product of nanotechnology, and his tattoos come alive, each telling a story from the future or the past. The illustrations on his body serve as a window into humanitys darkest fears, deepest desires, and most profound thoughts.
Throughout the book, readers will encounter stories about time travel, space exploration, and the nature of love, loss, and the human psyche. At its core, The Illustrated Man is a meditation on the human experience, told through the lens of Bradburys vivid imagination.
The author invites readers to embrace their fears and explore the boundaries of their own understanding of the world around them. The stories within The Illustrated Man explore issues that continue to be relevant today, such as racism, sexism, and the dangers of blindly following social norms.
One of the greatest strengths of The Illustrated Man is Bradburys ability to create memorable, fully-realized characters. Despite the short story format, the author manages to imbue his characters with a depth and complexity that is rarely seen in the genre.
The book flows seamlessly from one story to the next, painting a vivid tapestry of humanity and the tangled web that connects all of us. While Bradburys storytelling is impeccable, the books structure can be a little disjointed at times, as the stories are loosely connected through the tattooed mans narrative.
Additionally, some readers may find the books themes to be a little heavy-handed, although the authors passion and sincerity more than make up for this shortcoming. Overall, The Illustrated Man is a masterful work of science fiction that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published.
It is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of science fiction, is looking for a unique perspective on the human condition, or who just wants to experience some of Bradburys most iconic works. Rating: 4.5/5
The Illustrated Man is available for purchase at major booksellers and online retailers.
