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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of short stories was originally published in 1988. At the time I heard an interview with Bradbury – probably on NPR – and one story in particular was mentioned. A tender love story titled The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair. I was surprised, knowing, and loving, Bradbury as a science fiction writer. I shouldn’t have been; Bradbury’s writing has always tapped into emotions, and love and regret are two that we all come across in our lives. I’d forgotten the name of the collection, but remembered the story and last year I decided to find it again. I’m so glad I did.
Most of the stories are the type that we more typically associate with Bradbury – time travel, science fiction, paranormal, horror. A couple of the stories reminded me of Something Wicked This Way Comes, with a lurking evil and a tension that made me want to jump into bed so whatever lurks under there couldn’t grab my ankles.
Some of the stories combine genres. The Love Affair has a lonely Martian willing to face certain doom for the sound of music and the hope of companionship. Colonel Stonesteel’s Genuine Home-made Truly Egyptian Mummy gives us a wonderful young/old generational story combined with adventure, wonder and fright.
One completely delightful surprise was Junior featuring a group of senior citizens with healthy libidos. But for me, the star of this book remains The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair. It’s the story that forced me to look at Bradbury with new eyes and to appreciate his skill at crafting a story that engages, entertains, and kindles the reader’s emotions.
NOTE: Second reading 07January2016
Most of the stories are the type that we more typically associate with Bradbury – time travel, science fiction, paranormal, horror. A couple of the stories reminded me of Something Wicked This Way Comes, with a lurking evil and a tension that made me want to jump into bed so whatever lurks under there couldn’t grab my ankles.
Some of the stories combine genres. The Love Affair has a lonely Martian willing to face certain doom for the sound of music and the hope of companionship. Colonel Stonesteel’s Genuine Home-made Truly Egyptian Mummy gives us a wonderful young/old generational story combined with adventure, wonder and fright.
One completely delightful surprise was Junior featuring a group of senior citizens with healthy libidos. But for me, the star of this book remains The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair. It’s the story that forced me to look at Bradbury with new eyes and to appreciate his skill at crafting a story that engages, entertains, and kindles the reader’s emotions.
NOTE: Second reading 07January2016
cricket1988's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading another Bradbury, sometimes I feel that Bradbury is the Hemingway of science fiction.
fedor_ulysses's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
Collection of stories. The average score I would assign the the book is 2.7 (rounded down to 2.5). A couple of the short stories are small gems, but overall I would not recommend it.
jason0278's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
bee324's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite collection of his. It dragged quite a bit in the middle for me. But even so it's rarely a bad time reading Bradbury.
Standouts in this collection for me:
One Night In Your Life
West of October
The Last Circus
Banshee - This was my favorite of this collection I think.
Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Home-Made Truly Egyptian Mummy - I mostly like this one because it's kind of meta in that represents what Bradbury's stories and writing style do for me.
Standouts in this collection for me:
One Night In Your Life
West of October
The Last Circus
Banshee - This was my favorite of this collection I think.
Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Home-Made Truly Egyptian Mummy - I mostly like this one because it's kind of meta in that represents what Bradbury's stories and writing style do for me.
bruederin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
futuregazer's review against another edition
4.0
Yet another great Bradbury short story collection. I especially enjoyed: On The Orient North, West of October, I Suppose You Are Wondering Why We Are Here, and The Love Affair.
elisabeth888's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0