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Ray Bradbury's The Illustrated Man is a highly engaging collection of
short Science Fiction stories told using an introductory story about a man
totally covered with tattoos that move magically. These tattoos move during the
night and show scenes about the future. In between some of the stories depicted
by the tattoos, the tale of the Illustrated Man, as he is called, is woven back
into the book, tying the entire book together. This inventive literary device
is very effective in giving the book a cohesiveness that is often lacking in a
collection of short stories.
The stories themselves are all very engaging, and, though short, seem to
provide more insight into human interaction than many novels. One particularly
poignant tale titled Kaleidoscope contains almost no plot, but still manages to
be one of the most moving stories I've ever read. A rocket ship is ripped
apart, flinging the men contained inside in different directions, with no hope
of rescue. In this hopeless state, with only their radios to keep them in
contact, the best and worst of human nature is laid bare. The removal from
everyday life allows the reader to see much more cleanly feelings that are
normally hidden deep under layers of walls imposed both by the self and society.
The final paragraph is incredibly touching, and shows the beauty even in
seemingly senseless and hopeless events.
Not every story is as good or insightful as Kaleidoscope, but not one is a
waste of time. All are entertaining, engaging and give the reader something to
reflect on. Some point out the insidious nature of TV and other modern
inventions, while others warn about the dangers of becoming too reliant on
science rather than imagination and feeling. Still others show, with deadly
clarity, the insignificance of children in the minds of adults. One questions
the difference between "real" and "artificial" intelligence, decades before AI
was seriously considered as a scientific idea. The book is very forward
thinking, and, much like the Illustrated Man in the introduction, gives a
powerful glimpse into the future. However, by the end of The Illustrated
Man, I never wanted to hear another story about a rocket ship again. With a
few exceptions, the stories all used this as a plot device, and by the end, it
got old. Even considering that however, The Illustrated Man is a book
that I would recommend to any Science Fiction buff - and to just about anyone
else.
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