Rating: 4 stars
Cover synopsis: Bradbury presents himself as a nameless narrator who meets the Illustrated Man--a wanderer whose entire body is a living canvas of exotic tattoos. What's even more remarkable, and increasingly disturbing, is that the illustrations are themselves magically alive, and each proceeds to unfold its own story.
This is a wonderful collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. I've never considered myself a great fan of science fiction, but I find that the more I read of it, the more I can find to like in it. These stories, for instance, although they were mostly written in the 1940s and 1950s, are just as timely today as ever.
Although the stories take place in different worlds, different times, and with much different technologies, they still ring true to me -- a housewife and mom. They speak to the human condition, touching on themes of love, religion and loyalty, as well as the dangers of our dependence on technology, as well as the error of pride.
Some of my favorites: The Veldt (virtual reality gone awry), The Other Foot (a poignant examination of race and forgiveness), The Rocket Man (a tale of a father who's real love is space), The Fire Balloons (religion on Mars), Fox and the Forest (an interesting take on time travel), Zero Hour (the Martians find impressionable allies on Earth), and The Rocket (a father goes above and beyond to create a happy memory for his children).
