The ever generous Beth Fedyn sent me a copy of Shadow Show and I dropped everything and started reading it. The writers who contributed to this anthology in praise of Ray Bradbury were asked to submit stories that were Ray Bradbury-like or Ray Bradbury-inspired. Beth mentioned her favorite story in Shadow Show is Audrey Niffenegger;s “Backwards In Seville.” I really like Robert McCammon’s “Children of the Bedtime Machine” and Dan Chaon’s “Little America.” As you might suspect, there’s quite a range of stories in this anthology. And Weller and Castle asked the contributors to write a short essay included at the end of each story about their feelings about Ray Bradbury and his work. Fascinating stuff! What’s your favorite Ray Bradbury story?
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Sam Weller and Mort Castle – Introduction
Ray Bradbury – Second Homecoming
*Neil Gaiman – The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury
*Margaret Atwood – Headlife
Jay Bonansinga – Heavy
*Sam Weller – The Girl In The Funeral Parlor
David Morrell – The Companions
Thomas F. Monteleone – The Exchange
Lee Martin – Cat on a Bad Couch
*Joe Hill – By The Silver Water Of Lake Champlain
*Dan Chaon – Little America
John McNally – The Phone Call
Joe Meno – Young Pilgrims
Robert McCammon – Children Of The Bedtime Machine
*Ramsey Campbell – The Page
Mort Castle – Light
Alice Hoffman – Conjure
John Maclay – Max
Jacqueline Mitchard – Two Of A Kind
Gary Braunbeck – Fat Man And Little Boy
*Bonnie Jo Campbell – The Tattoo
Audrey Niffenegger – Backwards In Seville
* Charles Yu – Earth: (A Gift Shop)
Julia Keller – Hayleigh’s Dad
Dave Eggers – Who Knocks?
Bayo Ojikutu – Reservation 2020
Kelly Link – Two Houses
Harlan Ellison – Weariness
CONTRIBUTORS
CREDITS
Of course Fahrenheit 451 comes to mind first, but I also really enjoyed Bradbury’s more “SF”- oriented stuff too like Martian Chronicles, S is for Space etc.
Actually there are so many moving stories – where did he get all those ideas?
From the volume he wrote alone one might think him a hack, but he always had something profound to say.
Just looked him up on wiki – he met a lot of people!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Bradbury
Totally OT:
Michael Moorcock sometimes used the pseudonym Edward P Bradbury …
Wolf, Moorcock used Edward P. Bradbury as a pseudonym for his Mars books. Bradbury also wrote some mystery novels.
Perhaps I missed it, but what does the asterisk by a few of the writers’ names denote? (And, if my blurry eyes don’t deceive me, it appears there’s an asterisk by Harlan Ellison’s name on the cover. Same reason?)
Deb, I copied the TABLE OF CONTENTS from a review on AMAZON. The asterisks denote the reviewers “favorite” stories in this anthology. That isn’t an asterisk by Harlan Ellison’s name on the cover, it’s a TM symbol. Ellison has trademarked his name!
The Small Assassin comes to mind first, but I’m not sure of all the titles of the other favorites. I’ve probably read most of his stories and will put this on the list.
Jeff, I have a huge collection of Bradbury stories that I found in Canada. One day, I’ll read it.
OK. Done. Went on the library website and reserved it.
Jeff, how was the trip home? There’s snow in the forecast!
We’re in Northern Virginia right now. We’re meeting Jeff and Ann Smith for lunch in Bethesda. We should be home before dinner time. Looks like tomorrow could be the snow day, not the happiest welcome home. Up to now we’d had great weather and a pleasant trip.
Jeff, say “Hi!” to Jeff and Ann for us. Hope to see them in New Orleans!
Glad to hear the trip is going fine, Jeff.
Looks like a great anthology. I like too many Bradbury stories to name a favorite.
Thanks for remind me, Jeff. I really enjoy The Small Assassin too.
My favorite book is Dandelion Wine. I’ve revisited it several times over the years and it’s always wonderful.
Glad you liked the book, George.
Beth, thanks again! You send me the best books!
As others have said, I can’t single out one favorite. One I have always liked is “The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl”, a nice little murder story with, untypically, no emotional content at all.
Steve, you’re right about Bradbury being cerebral. His stories almost always operate on the concept level.
I’m with Beth on Dandelion Wine. For a short story, I’m partial to “The Veldt”.
Rick, I’m fond of SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.
The first thing that popped into my head was this is the literary equivalent to tribute rock bands!
Bob, you’re exactly right!
OK, we’re home. The trip was not fun as it rained through Virginia and Maryland before stopping as we got to New Jersey.
The Smiths were fine and will indeed be in New Orleans. I think they said they will be there either Sunday or Monday. I thought we were coming Tuesday but it is actually Monday, September 12. I think Maggie is also arriving on Monday.
And don’t mention it but since Jackie’s birthday is Saturday, September 17, perhaps we can come up with something appropriate.
Jeff, glad you’re home safe and sound. We’ll be landing in the Big Easy on September 14. I’m sure we can figure out something Good for Jackie’s Birthday!
I bought and just read this after reading your review. I not only agree about how good this is, but the two stories you listed as favorites are two of the four I particularly like. My other two are “By the Silver Waters of Lake Chmplain” and “Two of a Kind”.
I see that both Rich Horton and Jonathan Strahan picked Kelly Link’s “Two Houses” for their best of the year books. They didn’t include any of the other stories, even as “recommended reading”.
Steve, glad you enjoyed SHADOW SHOW. Beth sent me my copy so she gets all the applause!