We recently lost sci-fi author Ray Bradbury, one of the most imaginative voices of an era. Those of us who treasure words and worlds will feel this loss for some time. I suspect many of the younger generation who read this site are not entirely familiar with Ray Bradbury, or his works. This being the case, I’ll let another voice speak for me, someone you might know better; Neil Gaiman. The Guardian has the story.
Even in my youth, I knew that words held power. The first thing the despot does is lock up those who wield words. The first thing the crusader against knowledge does is burn the books.
Ray Bradbury taught me that words held emotion. To see and feel and know and regret. Fading summers and darkening lives, where a single candle remains to light the way forward.
This passing of emotion, like handing down a cloth-wrapped family heirloom, is the true power of writing, and Ray Bradbury showed me this truth. That’s why I’ll remember him.
If you haven’t read his works, find them. It doesn’t really matter which book, or which genre. Look for his name, pick out something that has cover art you like, and start there. It will be worth the journey.