Letter to Ray

Dandelion wine [Вино из одуванчиков]
2008 @ itceremony

By chance I came across one of recent Ray Bradbury book of essays.
To say that he was my favorite writer in childhood means to say nothing.
I would walk in -30 C something freeze for his new book in our distant Siberian town library.
Now almost 40 years later, living on the same continent but a bit north though, I have found out that nothing has changed that I am still under the spell.

It is probably his wild imagination and old world humanity that still attracts me to his books.
Most of all I was surprised to find a novel “A Milestone at Millstone’s: Bondarchuk remembered” that Bradbury tells a story as three Russian directors including Sergey Bondarchuk meet at the Hollywood with a bunch the most powerful and talented directors: John Ford, Billy Wilder, Tony Richardson, etc…

In the midst of all introducing and mutual pleasantries the Russians hear of Bradbury name.
They were so excited and happy so that the god-like people were quickly discarded and 3 of them drunk vodka with Ray till “the rise’s state”, i.e. under the table.
About the timing since this essay is undated, the event probably happened around 1967 and he wrote it 20 years later in 1987 but published in 2006.

In his own words:
"I have never written about that evening until now.
Even as I write, it seems an inordinately fantastic time. The Russians can not have loved me all THAT much. But they DID. I must be lying through my teeth. I am NOT."

Of course we DO love you Ray! Just go to Russia if you can.

NS