Ray Bradbury : a critical companion / Robin Anne Reid.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reid, Robin Anne, 1955-

Series:

Critical companions to popular contemporary writers.

Critical companions to popular contemporary writers, 1082-4979

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bradbury, Ray, 1920--Criticism and interpretation.

Bradbury, Ray.

Science fiction, American--History and criticism.

Science fiction, American.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (152 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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 years: 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 given: 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.

Contents:

Cover

RAY BRADBURY

ADVISORY BOARD

Contents

Series Foreword

Acknowledgments

1 The Life of Ray Bradbury

SOME WORKS CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

2 Ray Bradbury and the Question of "Science Fiction"

OVERVIEW OF MAJOR PUBLICATIONS

Nonfiction

Short Fiction

Novels

CONCLUSION

3 The Martian Chronicles (1950)

PLOT DEVELOPMENT

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Narrative Point of View

Martian and Human Characters

SETTING

THEMES

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: A POSTCOLONIAL READING

4 The Illustrated Man (1951)

SETTINGS

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: "RACE" AS A LITERARY CONSTRUCT IN SCIENCE FICTION

5 Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: A STYLISTIC READING

6 Dandelion Wine (1957)

Main Characters

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: A GENDER READING

7 Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962)

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES: A FEMINIST READING

8 Death Is a Lonely Business (1985)

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A POSTMODERN READING

9 A Graveyard for Lunatics (1990)

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: A SEMIOTIC READING

10 Green Shadows, White Whale (1992)

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE: A QUEER READING

Bibliography

WORKS BY RAY BRADBURY

Fiction

Story Collections

Drama

Poetry

Anthologies Edited by Bradbury

WORKS ABOUT RAY BRADBURY

Biographies

General Information

Bibliography.

REVIEWS AND CRITICISM

The Martian Chronicles

The Illustrated Man

Fahrenheit 451

Dandelion Wine

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Death Is a Lonely Business

Graveyard for Lunatics

Green Shadows, White Whale

OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES

Index

About the Author

Critical Companions to Popular Contemporary Writers

Critical Companions to Popular Contemporary Writers.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [121]-129) and index.

ISBN:

9798216004844

9786610708857

9781280708855

1280708859

9780313007224

0313007225

OCLC:

55002852