RAY BRADBURY IS OFF TO THE GREAT ACRES OF BOOKS IN THE SKY
By Dave Wielenga
Ray Bradbury left this world for the Acres of Books in the sky Tuesday night, dying at age 91.
The writer who influenced the world with the expansive flights of fantasy he presented as into vivid word-pictures never lost touch with the root of his special gift—the library of mankind. During much of the 20th century, a significant portion of those volumes could be found in Long Beach at Acres of Books, where Bradbury was a frequent patron—and, during the fight for its survival, one of its most-public and passionate advocates.
On June 26, 2008, LBReport.com covered in words and video Bradbury’s last visit to Acres of Books.
Now, they’re both gone.
Bradbury was both prolific and profound. His 27 novels, various story collections and over 600 short stories—among them “The Martian Chronicles,” “Fahrenheit 451,” “Dandelion Wine” and “Something Wicked This Way Comes”—amounted to a powerful voice that helped shape the perspective and conscience of his time, not to mention lifting science fiction above its silly reputation into an identity as literature.
READ A FULL OBITUARY ON LATIMES.COM
2 Comments
When I was in 7th grade at Whitney, I was selected with several other students as the winners of a school essay contest. The prize was breakfast with Ray Bradbury. He showed up, having read all of our essays and ready to talk about them. He was the first person to ever tell me he thought I was a good writer. More than 30 years later, most of it spent in a career as a writer, I still think of his kind words on a regular basis. Thank you, Ray.
Thanks for me taking me on all those fanciful journeys, Ray. May you enjoy your Final Journey.