The Illustrated Man

by Ray Bradbury
The Illustrated Man cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Format • £9.49
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  • ID: 5652
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-11-05
  • ISBN: 9781451678185
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2012-04-17
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 4

Ray Bradbury's 'The Illustrated Man' is a captivating anthology of science fiction stories, each illustrated on the skin of a wandering storyteller. The tales range from poignant to chilling, exploring themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The stories are intricately woven together by the enigmatic narrator, who serves as a canvas for these vivid narratives. /n/n The collection showcases Bradbury's masterful storytelling, blending elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a rich tapestry of human experiences. Each tale is a journey into the unknown, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries of the universe and the depths of the human heart.

Reviews
nsfordwriter.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
refreshing 4.50

Mohamad Jebara's 'Muhammad, The World-Changer. An Intimate Portrait' offers a refreshing and engaging take on the life of Prophet Muhammad, avoiding miraculous accounts and instead focusing on the Prophet's leadership and teachings. The book is praised for its novel interpretations and powerful imagery, making it a standout among biographies of the Prophet.

Mohamad Jebara's 'Muhammad, The World-Changer. An Intimate Portrait' is a refreshing departure from traditional biographies of Prophet Muhammad. The author, a Canadian-born Muslim and multi-linguist, avoids miraculous accounts and instead focuses on the Prophet's leadership and teachings. The book is praised for its novel interpretations and powerful imagery, such as the translation of 'iqra' as 'a moment a bud unfurls and opens to the world around it.' This makes the book engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer appreciates the book's focus on the Prophet's central message of individual rights and his leadership style, which is compared to natural imagery like streams flowing around rocks. The book is seen as a valuable addition to the literature on Prophet Muhammad, offering a fresh perspective that avoids insulting the reader's intelligence.

Quick quotes

    He does not challenge readers’ credulity nor insult their intelligence.

    Jebara translates _iqra’_ as 'a moment a bud unfurls and opens to the world around it.' Powerful floral imagery!

    The Prophet’s central message and the respect he placed on it is that each individual has certain unalienable rights endowed by his Creator, not to be trifled with or abridged by mere mortals no matter how powerful.

sfsite.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
balanced 4.00

The book offers a balanced and nuanced portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad's life, challenging both Western misconceptions and Islamic hagiography. It highlights Muhammad's role as a mediator, his interactions with women, and his Jewish background, though some may find it selective and secularized.

Mohamad Jebara's biography of the Prophet Muhammad aims to strike a balance between Western misconceptions and Islamic hagiography. The book portrays Muhammad as a practical businessman who sought to bring change to Arabian society by fostering a sense of shared identity and economic opportunities. Jebara emphasizes the significant role of women in Muhammad's teachings and his interactions with the Jewish community, which are often overlooked in other biographies. However, critics might argue that the book is selective and unduly secularized, as it downplays certain aspects of Muhammad's life and teachings. Despite these criticisms, Jebara's work offers a fresh perspective that could alter Western views of Muhammad and potentially influence the Islamic world if widely disseminated.

Quick quotes

    Jebara argues that Muhammad regarded the Arabian society of his day as one suffering from ‘willful stagnation’.

    Jebara gives special emphasis to the role of women in the Prophet’s thinking.

    Critics may find Jebara’s book selective and unduly secularised.

Reactor Mag · 2024-04-02
Dazzling 4.50

The collection follows in the footsteps of 'The Martian Chronicles' with a wide selection of well-written and compelling tales. The reviewer praises the diverse range of stories and the consistent quality of the writing.

This reviewer compares the collection favorably to 'The Martian Chronicles,' highlighting the diverse range of stories and the consistent quality of the writing. Each tale is praised for its unique perspective and compelling narrative, making the collection a standout in Bradbury's body of work. The reviewer appreciates the way Bradbury weaves together different themes and ideas, creating a rich tapestry of stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. The collection is seen as a testament to Bradbury's skill as a storyteller, with each tale offering something unique and memorable. The reviewer also notes that the collection is a great introduction to Bradbury's work for those who are new to his writing, as it showcases his versatility and creativity.

Quick quotes

    The Illustrated Man follows in the footsteps of The Martian Chronicles by presenting a wide selection of well-written and compelling tales.

    This loosely-linked collection of short stories did not disappoint; it was engrossing, clever, and thought-provoking.

    The creativity of the Illustrated Man himself was wonderful. It's a small touch but added a dream like haze to the stories.

At Boundary's Edge · 2022-09-16
Thoughtful 3.50

The collection is fundamentally serene, which sets it apart from others but also leaves some stories lacking in tension. The stories are beautifully written, often with a touch of irony and a bittersweet tone.

This collection stands out for its serene and almost dreamlike quality, a departure from the more intense works in the genre. The reviewer appreciates the beautiful prose and the clever twists in each story, though they note that the lack of tension in some stories might leave readers wanting more. The stories are a mix of sinister and bittersweet, with a consistent element of irony that adds depth to the narratives. Overall, it's a thoughtful and engaging read that showcases Bradbury's skill in crafting compelling tales.

Quick quotes

    This a fundamentally serene collection, which makes it different to a lot of others, but does leave the stories lacking in tension.

    Every story is excellent. Most of them have a good twist.

    They're all beautifully written, sometimes sinister, sometimes bittersweet, with an element of irony.

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