Ray Bradbury celebrated his 91st birthday on August 22. He was especially pleased with one of his gifts — Phoenix Pictures announced it will film a version of his novel Dandelion Wine, Mike Medavoy directing. Ray told the Hollywood Reporter:
“This is the best birthday gift I could ask for. Today, I have been reborn! ‘Dandelion Wine’ is my most deeply personal work and brings back memories of sheer joy as well as terror,” Bradbury said.
“This is the story of me as a young boy and the magic of an unforgettable summer, which still holds a mystical power over me,” the author said.
Alice Hoffman, author of Practical Magic and The Red Garden, gave him a birthday tribute in the LA Times op-ed section:
Bradbury tells the story of how, as a boy in 1932, he went to a country fair where a carnival entertainer named Mr. Electrico touched him on the nose with an electrified sword, made his hair stand on end and shouted “Live forever!”
He has certainly achieved eternal life through his books, which are destined to live on. But it’s beginning to seem as if he took the “live forever” command literally as well. On Monday Ray Bradbury turns 91, and his birthday is the perfect day to reflect on all he has given us.
And Terence McVicker saluted Ray’s birthday by distributing a card he’d had printed containing the author’s life philosophy:
[Thanks to John King Tarpinian for the story.]
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This entry made me cry, it’s so wonderfully beautiful.
I met and spoke with him on a limited basis, as I met him twice briefly at two public events and he had little time to deal with each person who wanted to talk with him. I was overwhelmed with his courtesy and attitudes nonetheless.
He is indeed a man for the ages — and if he lives forever, it’s better for the rest of us than it could be for him — but he wouldn’t mind that, he’s *that* generous.