Friday, February 15, 2019

I See You Never

photo from Open Culture

I See You Never is a 1947 short story by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury was one of the first science fiction authors I discovered, and he is a treasure. I still have some of his books in my steadily deceasing book collection, and some of those are among my all-time favorites. If you haven't read Bradbury, pick up a book by him -every library has something by him- and enjoy.

This particular story is not typical of his work, which is usually science fiction/fantasy, but instead deals with illegal immigration into this country from Mexico. Topical still. You can read this short story online here. It begins:
The soft knock came at the kitchen door, and when Mrs. O’Brian opened it, there on the back porch were her best tenant, Mr. Ramirez, and two police officers, one on each side of him. Mr. Ramirez just stood there, walled in and small. “Why, Mr. Ramirez!” said Mrs. O’Brian. Mr. Ramirez was overcome. He did not seem to have words to explain. He had arrived at Mrs. O’Brian’s rooming house more than two years earlier and had lived there ever since. He had come by bus from Mexico City to San Diego and had then gone up to Los Angeles. There he had found the clean little room, with glossy blue linoleum, and pictures and calendars on the flowered walls, and Mrs. O’Brian as the strict but kindly landlady. During the war, he had worked at the airplane factory and made parts for the planes that flew off somewhere, and even now, after the war, he still held his job. From the first, he had made big money.

16 comments:

  1. He was a great writer & a man of influence ... on my first visit to Epcot & the ride in the sphere, I learned that he, Ray, was good friends with Walt Disney & helped design the ride as a story being told.

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    1. I remember discovering his books and spent many a happy hour with his work in my youth. I still re-read him :)

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  2. I am remember in high school one of his books was required reading-I didn't like it at all was wierd to me at the time lol I still do not care for much sci fi am not familiar with this one though-thanks Happy Friday

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    1. This one is very unusual for him, not being at all science fiction. I wonder what prompted him to write it.

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  3. Sounds intriguing considering he is known for his science fiction. It's turned warmer here and we've had some lovely sunshine the last couple of days! Happy Friday and Weekend! J 😊 x

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    1. Yes, I found it unexpected, especially considering how timely the issue still is.

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  4. I think the only Bradbury story I've read is Fahrenheit 451 and I also love the movie of the same name starring Oskar Werner

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    1. That is a classic. It's been adapted for film again, but I haven't seen the new one.

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  5. Sounds like the start of a great story! Have a wonderful weekend, with lots of reading and film time! Valerie

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    1. I may start re-reading Proust this week-end. We'll see lol

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  6. A favorite author is a great thing it's almost like adding to your family. Sometimes it feels like we know these authors better than people in our daily lives.

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    1. I feel exactly the same way! It's such a comfort somehow to spend time with a book by an author you've known for so long :)

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  7. This was different for him, but still the same ordinary day quality he captures so well.

    Bradbury got me interested in reading. I was 9, I think, when we were on vacation in St Loius visiting some friends of my folks. Was fascinated that they had alleyways. Wandering up and down the alley I spotted a paperback book on the top of an open trash can...October Country. I picked it up--absolutely devoured it!! Was amazed that people could think things up like that. Triggered a love of books and science fiction, of course. Somehow it even started me journaling. I've never had that kind of imagination--just a truth teller. But I credit Bradbury for my love of reading and writing.

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    1. That's a powerful witness! I do love Bradbury and think his writing puts you very much in the life of the stories he writes. I still remember when he died.

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  8. I LOVE Ray Bradbury. He was the first author I read that was science fiction.

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    1. He was one of my first, too. I was surprised when I saw non-genre stories by him.

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