In his first new collection of short stories in nearly a decade, Ray Bradbury, America's preeminent storyteller, tells all--celebrating life and dr...
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Nov 21, 2007
Tracey
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I picked up Quicker Than The Eye at the library this weekend, and read thru this short story collection as an antidote to Running with Scissors.
The first few stories "Unterseaboat Doktor" and "Zaharoff/Richter Mark V" didn't do much to dispel my depressed mood. However, "Another Fine Mess" (his second tribute to Laurel and Hardy) made me smile and I settled once again into his fantastic world.
IMHO, Bradbury is a master of the short story - More...
The first few stories "Unterseaboat Doktor" and "Zaharoff/Richter Mark V" didn't do much to dispel my depressed mood. However, "Another Fine Mess" (his second tribute to Laurel and Hardy) made me smile and I settled once again into his fantastic world.
IMHO, Bradbury is a master of the short story - More...
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Nov 14, 2010
Marvin
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This 1996 collection of later short tales illustrates just how subjective the measurement of a literary genius can be. If these short stories were written by a new writer the critics would be raving. But these pieces are written by a older gentlemen whose genius has already been proven and proven again. Bradbury's masterpiece collections of short fiction will always be books like The Martian Chronicle and The Illustrated Man. The stories in Quicker Than The Eye are beautifully written but they d
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Jun 06, 2011
Mike
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This is a collection of short stories published in 1996. Mr. Barbury and I go way back, not only in terms of his early works (Farhenheit 451, The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles), but also in terms of my own literary appetites. (I "discovered" his books while I was in high school.) I love Ray Bradbury short stories and, although I won't say that this collection is his finest work, it does nothing to diminish my love and admiration for his artistry. Most, if not all, of these
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Nov 05, 2011
Cathrine
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Another amazing collection of short fiction from author Ray Bradbury.
Really really liked the stories titled, "The Finnegan," "The Very Gentle Murders" and "Last Rites."
The first is a very entertining adventure/mystery in the style of Conan Doyle's Holmes tales.
The second is an example of how apperances can be deciving. When a seemingly "loving" couple make a game out of trying to murder each other their maid and all of t More...
Really really liked the stories titled, "The Finnegan," "The Very Gentle Murders" and "Last Rites."
The first is a very entertining adventure/mystery in the style of Conan Doyle's Holmes tales.
The second is an example of how apperances can be deciving. When a seemingly "loving" couple make a game out of trying to murder each other their maid and all of t More...
Oct 17, 2009
Clare
rated it: 
Bradbury continues to be one of my favorite writers. His concepts are elegant and his word choice is magical.
My favorite stories in this collection are: Last Rites, Zaharoff/Richter Mark V and Exchange.
Many readers skip the "afterwords" of a book - this one is worth reading. I found myself wondering, "where does Bradbury conjure up these themes & characters?" The "afterwords" will shed insight and will inspire you as both a reader & a writ More...
My favorite stories in this collection are: Last Rites, Zaharoff/Richter Mark V and Exchange.
Many readers skip the "afterwords" of a book - this one is worth reading. I found myself wondering, "where does Bradbury conjure up these themes & characters?" The "afterwords" will shed insight and will inspire you as both a reader & a writ More...
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Aug 06, 2010
Angela
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This was an odd collection of short stories combined into one book. I didn't realize it at first, reading the first chapter thinking, this is odd...then going to the second chapter where they were all new characters.
It was, however, intriguing enough to keep my attention to the very end. I think this is an excellent illustration of Bradbury's writing process, the ideas and formations of his main stories, and it was interesting to see the stories develop and come to their conclusions More...
It was, however, intriguing enough to keep my attention to the very end. I think this is an excellent illustration of Bradbury's writing process, the ideas and formations of his main stories, and it was interesting to see the stories develop and come to their conclusions More...
Aug 30, 2011
Michael
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Definitely not my favorite Bradbury short fiction collection, though there are some really fine stories to be found here. "No News, Or What Killed the Dog?" was one of the most beautiful and perfect short stories that highlights a difficulty in the life of every pet owner. It's what I would call quintessential Bradbury: nostalgia laced with a sense of gentile humanity embraced by community.
My favorites in this set were:
"Zaharoff/Richter Mark V"
"T More...
My favorites in this set were:
"Zaharoff/Richter Mark V"
"T More...
May 02, 2009
Brett
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Another collection of short stories from Ray Bradbury that cover a wide array of themes and genres. A handful of the 20 or so stories here are very good--"Bug", "Free Dirt", "The Electrocution"--and there's a group that are sort of interesting ideas, but not well-fleshed out, and there are a group of outright wastes of time. I'm a big Bradbury fan, but I can't in good conscience recommend this book. I'm glad that he's continued to work even as he has gotten older
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May 15, 2010
Katie
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I was somewhat disappointed by this short story collection. Many of the stories aren't sf at all–not a problem per se, but not what I was expecting or looking for. Regardless of genre, I found many of the stories dull and/or annoyingly nostalgic. Bradbury's prose is elegant, but the dialog frequently seems a bit off to me. The creepier stories are generally the best of the bunch. I almost stopped reading part way through, but I'm glad I finished the book because the second half did have mor
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Feb 21, 2011
Gavin
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I have been a devoted Bradbury fan since I first read FARENHEIT 451 in high school. Some say he is over the top; I say they are too closed in their thinking.
Granted, Bradbury is an acquired taste. His word choice is unique, confounding, and even sometimes bizarre. But after reading one of stories, you will understand why he chose to describe something the way he did.
Some of the earlier reviews about Bradbury's works have stated that he has focused too much on the d More...
Granted, Bradbury is an acquired taste. His word choice is unique, confounding, and even sometimes bizarre. But after reading one of stories, you will understand why he chose to describe something the way he did.
Some of the earlier reviews about Bradbury's works have stated that he has focused too much on the d More...
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Nov 08, 2009
James
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"make haste to live." just about the penultimate sentence written in this book, part of ray bradbury's afterword (and the title of the same), and excellent advice. for, if we don't make haste to live, that which we're living for -- the impulses and desires and ideas -- might leave us in the lurch.
and that's what this collection of stories does the best -- celebrates and worships the pinhole-camera of nostalgia, the widescreen technicolor panorama of the dreams of the futu More...
and that's what this collection of stories does the best -- celebrates and worships the pinhole-camera of nostalgia, the widescreen technicolor panorama of the dreams of the futu More...
Dec 02, 2009
Sheila
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Quicker Than The Eye, as per my previous Bradbury reading experiences, leaves me with the wonderful sensation of recognition, of having found answers to questions I could never consciously formulate and thoughts I was never aware of thinking; emotions I thought too elusive and varied to be caught on paper.
His writing brings to mind bedrock and soil. It's solid, and fertile. As occasionally fantastic as his storytelling is, it consistently has a sense of purpose. Proclamation wra More...
His writing brings to mind bedrock and soil. It's solid, and fertile. As occasionally fantastic as his storytelling is, it consistently has a sense of purpose. Proclamation wra More...
Feb 26, 2011
Ryne
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Bradbury is truly one of the greats. More a speculative fiction writer than hard science fiction, the tales in this collection of stories delve deeper into the personal and let the fantastical exist as an accessory. This is not a bad thing, as it allows a healthy dose of whimsy (which Bradbury has always been capable of) to spice each story.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Jun 12, 2009
Betsy
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I enjoyed this book of short stories. Just long enough to relax me at the end of the day, but not too long to be drawn out. I really enjoyed several of them and hated several of them...maybe I am just a literary ignoramus, but I didn't get the point of at least 2 of them.
Nov 08, 2011
Louise
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I like Ray Bradbury's stories, but I didn't think this book contained his best. There were a couple that stuck with me, but a few I didn't understand at all. I don't know whether it's because I'm getting older or he is, but sometimes his writing was a little trite and cliche. Overall, it was easy to read, but I wouldn't recommend it as the best sample of his work.
Sep 06, 2009
Andy
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Another collection of short stories, some great, some good and a few not so much. An interesting selection though and worth reading. I particularly enjoyed 'A very gentle murder'.
Feb 01, 2011
Mythyagain
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Not only was it a great book, I was fortunate enough to meet (briefly) Ray Bradbury and have him autograph a copy!
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Mar 23, 2011
Emily
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Somewhere between I liked it and it was okay...a bunch of short stories, most of them interesting, some, eh!
Aug 11, 2011
Neven
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A rather weak collection, with a sketchy, unfinished, rushed quality to the stories. Bradbury has used this style well elsewhere, but a whole book of it gets tiring.
May 13, 2009
Kjersti
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I had high expectations for Ray Bradbury’s collection of short stories, unfortunately my expectations were not met.
I have been captivated by his audio readings of other short stories, but this collection was no where near the intensity or creativity of his others. It almost felt like I was reading through a bunch of assignments that Bradbury was forced to write.
Too bad.
I have been captivated by his audio readings of other short stories, but this collection was no where near the intensity or creativity of his others. It almost felt like I was reading through a bunch of assignments that Bradbury was forced to write.
Too bad.
Oct 12, 2010
Pinpin
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These short stories were in particular one of the highest Bradbury caliber. Almost poetry in prose. The beat, the phrasing, and the pace made my heart throb in certain stories.
Apr 05, 2009
Kirstin
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Though considered "science fiction", this book is more of a collection of short stories that tend to contain the emotions of nostalgia and sentimentalism. Some of the stories left me completely confused but it was still well done.
Did I mention that I got it signed by Mr. Bradbury himself? He was a fantastic speaker and I am honored to have met him.
Did I mention that I got it signed by Mr. Bradbury himself? He was a fantastic speaker and I am honored to have met him.
Feb 04, 2008
Jimenez
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The mind of Ray Bradbury is truly gracious, in that it creates vivid images that the graphic mind can map out in the core of the imagination. Illusive pictures that when crafted into words and perceived by the mind, can fully become a short film running in oue head; little scenes depicting different worlds in different ways.
Dec 03, 2011
Cassandra
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The stories only get better as I adapted to Bradbury's style. Bradbury is a new favorite. Some of the sentences he puts together must be said aloud because they are near tongue twisters, and beautiful, to say the least. I feel lucky to have stumbled across this gem.
Jul 27, 2008
David
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Another Fine Mess, Electrocution, Hopscotch, Woman on the Lawn, No News, Witch Door, Bug and Free Dirt were strange and wonderful. The rest were shades of meh. Eight for 21? You decide.
Aug 30, 2009
Melissa
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Uneven, but any Bradbury is better than no Bradbury, and there's a lovely story about a librarian buried in there, and a pretty good Zeppo story about a dead dog.
Jun 24, 2007
Melissa
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The only Bradbury I have read to date. I only remember one story, but I also remember exactly what shelf it was on in the bookstore where I bought it.
