Farewell to Ray Bradbury
- Photo of Ray Bradbury. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ray Bradbury. I discovered him back in college, maybe even in high school. I devoured his books and reread Dandelion Wine, always wondering why it hasn’t transferred to film like so many of his other stories. His stories and books are part of my teaching curriculum. His effortless way with imagery and metaphor are sterling examples I held up to my students as exemplars. I show his Ray Bradbury Theater episodes in Creative Writing, Freshmen English, Sophomore English, and plan to study his Farenheit 51 in AP Senior English. I have savored the notion Bradbury has somewhat been a co-teacher in my classroom.
Ray Bradbury was and is a favorite author, not so much for his outstanding stories, but for his youthful outlook. After showing some of his interview clips to students they appreciated his writing that much more. “He’s a pretty cool guy.” High praise from a fifteen year old.
So, this is farewell, for now, Ray. Your books and stories, dreams, and innovations and imagination will live on in your words.
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Pam Webb 
I was saddened to hear about this today. Fahrenheit 451 is one of my all-time favourites. I need to read some of his stories over the next few days.
I plan to reread his stories as well.
Ray Bradbury made me read. Nope. Correct that – he made me WANT to read. The Illustrated Man was mind blowing and mind expanding and just fun to read. And re-read. Farewell Mr. Bradbury – I raise a toast of Dandelion Wine in farewell. The star dust you were made of will never ever be arranged in such fine form again.
Lovely comments. Bradbury definitely contributed great strength to the literary world. Dandelion Wine is one of the best tributes to the yesteryear of childhood and its innocent charm.
Every time I get new shoes I think of Ray Bradbury. His short story “The Sound of Summer Running” won’t stay out of my head….which is also part of Dandelion Wine.
I love that part of the book. I think he’s right about how shoes lose their oomph after awhile, especially sneakers.