| This 1997 collection is uneven and at times weak. There is less fantasy or science fiction than in many of Bradbury's earlier works; themes include meeting a familiar face in a distant place ("Remember Me?"), children's storytelling and kissing games ("House Divided"), looking up an old flame ("I Wonder What's Become of Sally?"), and the revenge of the nerd everybody picked on ("The Highest Branch on the Tree"). But the book has some terrific moments: Bradbury recalls a tiny, dusty, moth-eaten Mexican circus, tells the hilarious story of Irish drinking buddies looking for a safe place in the bogs to take a woman, and yet another tale of perfect love squandered ("Madame et Monsieur Shill"). If you're new to Bradbury, this will do nicely, but for veteran readers it's a bit of same old same old. | ||
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Plot & Themes Romance Yes Romance plotlets: - - two lovers coping with tough mission - Spying & Investigations Yes What is main char. doing? - Inner Struggle Yes Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding - change of heart Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Main Adversary How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Earth setting: - 20th century - near future (later in 21st century) Takes place on Earth? Yes Takes place in spaceship? Yes Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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