Thursday, December 02, 2010

Happy 90th Birthday Ray Bradbury


The display at the front of the library celebrates the long life of Ray Bradbury.

The American writer Ray Bradbury was born August 22, 1920. At age 13 his family moved to Los Angeles where he continues to reside. Bradbury began publishing horror and detective stories in pulp magazines during the early 1940s. His first book, Dark Carnival, was published in 1947.

During the 1950s Bradbury wrote the books for which he is most renowned: The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Fahrenheit 451, and Dandelion Wine. Bradbury has also written movie and television scripts, most notably the script for John Huston’s 1956 production of Moby Dick. Among his many television scripts are those for three seasons of Ray Bradbury Presents during the 1980s.

Ray Bradbury’s writing provides memorable and sometimes poetic imagery that has made him a favorite of millions of readers. Though criticized throughout his career for violating the scientific standards of “hard science fiction” Bradbury continues to write in his own way because he is interested in using a fantastic approach to exploring the human condition on our planet and in outer space.

His latest book Now and Forever was published in 2007. It includes a retelling of Moby Dick in which a space captain is obsessed with capturing a great white comet. Ray Bradbury continues to write and publish, and he also makes public appearances at which he enjoys interacting with his fans.

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