Comments on: The one and only Ray Bradbury http://blog.vromans.com/the-one-and-only-ray-bradbury Independent Bookstore Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:50:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Leonard http://blog.vromans.com/the-one-and-only-ray-bradbury/comment-page-1#comment-47 Jim Leonard Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:06:00 +0000 http://blog.vromans.com/the-one-and-only-ray-bradbury/#comment-47 Years ago I was privileged to hear Mr. Bradbury speak at the Santa Monica Library. He read a poem of his titled "I Was the Last, The Very Last". It describes the experience of a nine-year-old who was present when Lincoln's tomb was opened. Mr. Bradbury told us it was based on a conversation he'd had with a man who had that experience - who accompanied his father, part of a commission to verify the body of Lincoln, undisturbed, in his grave. <br/><br/>A couple of years ago, I took my young son to UCLA's book fair. We found Mr. Bradbury signing his latest book among a crowd of admirers. I lifted my son up on my shoulders and pointed out the author. I told him to remember having seen this famous author when he grew up. Perhaps he might be the last, the very last to have actually seen Ray Bradbury. <br/><br/>I grew up with the tingling titles of Ray Bradury's books: "Something Wicked This Way Comes", "The Martian Chronicles", "I Sing the Body Electric!" "Dandelion Wine", and many others, provoking my imagination. I've had to work harder lately to find copies of some of his out-of-print poetry collections, but it's worth it. I recommend them to Bradbury fans.<br/><br/>Thanks for the interview. Years ago I was privileged to hear Mr. Bradbury speak at the Santa Monica Library. He read a poem of his titled “I Was the Last, The Very Last”. It describes the experience of a nine-year-old who was present when Lincoln’s tomb was opened. Mr. Bradbury told us it was based on a conversation he’d had with a man who had that experience – who accompanied his father, part of a commission to verify the body of Lincoln, undisturbed, in his grave.

A couple of years ago, I took my young son to UCLA’s book fair. We found Mr. Bradbury signing his latest book among a crowd of admirers. I lifted my son up on my shoulders and pointed out the author. I told him to remember having seen this famous author when he grew up. Perhaps he might be the last, the very last to have actually seen Ray Bradbury.

I grew up with the tingling titles of Ray Bradury’s books: “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, “The Martian Chronicles”, “I Sing the Body Electric!” “Dandelion Wine”, and many others, provoking my imagination. I’ve had to work harder lately to find copies of some of his out-of-print poetry collections, but it’s worth it. I recommend them to Bradbury fans.

Thanks for the interview.

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