Perspectives were very different about "A piece of wood" : sad, optimistic, idealistic, I liked it, I didn't...
This american writer was a prolific short stories writer but also wrote poems, essays, plays... His groundbreaking works include Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man. He inspired generations of readers to dream, think and create. He lived until 91 and was an optimistic man : "In my later years I have looked in the mirror each day and found a happy person staring back. Occasionally I wonder why I can be so happy. The answer is that every day of my life I've worked only for myself and for the joy that comes from writing and creating. The image in my mirror is not optimistic, but the result of optimal behavior".
J'ai découvert Ray Bradburry. Une personnalité passionnante. Je remarque que dans la littérature de langue anglaise le fantastique est très prisé. Cf Allan POE (1809/1849), HG WELLS (1866/1946) La Guerre des Monde (invasion de la Terre par les marsiens !) JRR TOLKIEN (1892/1973) Hobbit, Le Seigneur des Anneaux.
Côté francais J. Verne...? Je recommande de Bradburry Les Chroniques Marsiennes : loufoque, drole, une bonne détente . Traduction à la bibliothèque.ç
Unfortunately, I could'nt attend last saturday's session, but I have read some short stories of Ray Bradbury.
In addition to A Piece of Wood, I have read the following short stories :
Quicker then the Eye, The very Gentle Murders, The Finnegan, Unterderseaboat Doktor,
Exchange.
I like the humoristic way of Bradbury's writing, a bit similar to Agatha Christie's. I am ready to read more short stories, and if any of you can lend me some, I would appreciate it very much.
Ray Bradbury also wrote non-science fiction stories and I recommend "The Utterly Perfect Murder". A man on his 48th birthday, decides to get revenge on his boyhood friend and foe. He goes on a long trip and heads to the town he lived in when he was 12 intending to murder Ralph. During the journey he reflects on the relationship he had with Ralph. When he finally meets Ralph, he doesn't kill him as he finds that time has taken its own revenge. - This story adresses the issues of abusive relationships, obsession with past grievances and it's also an interesting reflection about bullying.