Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury's Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland Paperback – October 1, 2002

What an extraordinary book! I realize what a heresy it would be to call this Bradbury's best novel – but I think it is. I've read his novels and most of his best-known stories and was completely unprepared for this. It simply blew me away. Nowhere else does his graceful, easy humor sing from almost every page. He paints an exceptional literary picture of Ireland's pub denizens and captures their tender genius. The only terror to be found here is the devil Huston who, when he's not badgering his unfortunate wife or the young writer, haunts Bradbury's every nightmare during his stay on the Emerald Isle. Why it seems so underappreciated is now a complete mystery to me. I heartily recommend this novel without reservation, Bradbury fan or not.In his biography THE BRADBURY CHRONICLES, Sam Weller quotes Bradbury's wife, Maggie: "Most authors peak at some point. They can't sustain it much past their sixties. But not Ray. It amazes me. He only gets better with time." GREEN SHADOWS, WHITE WHALE proves her point.

So many people think of Ray Bradbury as a Science Fiction writer, but he really is a writer of great dimension. In Green Shadows, White Whale, he shows us a great view of Ireland as seen through his acquired pub friends, as they tell him stories, and through the people he meets. Written almost as a collection of short stories, his use of words is poetic! We also get a glimpse of the strong character of John Huston. Bradbury plays the upper crust, fox hunting, privileged Ireland against the common man with humor and imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed his book!

Green Shadows is a memoir of the time Bradbury spent in Ireland in the 1950's working on a screenplay for Moby Dick. Most of the book deals with his impression of Ireland and the Irish, as recounted in personal experiences, possibly embellished with poetic license. His dealings with director John Huston make up the subject for the rest of the book. Like Bradbury, I am a fan of Huston's movies. Huston's wide-ranging choice of subject matter and his ability to translate literary work to the screen are impressive. Unfortunately, the portrait Bradbury draws of Huston reveals a character who is usually filled with bonhomie but who can easily veer into sly bullying - a fascinating man, but one who may be difficult to work with. At the same time, Bradbury is courageous enough to reveal his own vulnerabilities in such a situation. I found the book to be engaging throughout and very well written.

Although Bradbury shines in his apt descriptions and observations, some of this narrative is dated and gets lost in the area between fiction and nonfiction.

Do whatever you can to LISTEN to this book as read by RAY BRADBURY himself. The Audio version is the only way to enjoy this. Ray Bradbury's impression of John Huston is hilarious. Plan a long trip in your old car that has a cassette player and listen to this on the way. You won't want to stop for gas or bathroom breaks. We laughed out loud! Listening to Ray Bradbury's Irish brogue during this book has been some of the most entertaining moments I've experienced in my life.....if you're into that kind of thing, you know hilarious moments.Green Shadows, White Whale

This is the best book you'll never read. Bradbury is on everyone's favorite author list (if you read), but this is special. He never wanted to write about Ireland, or about Huston, but like all his books, the dreams and visions haunted him until he did, and then he wrote the story to match his dreams, all in short story clumps. This is my favorite book of all time, and I ordered this one to replace the one I wore out. If our most trying experiences make us who we are, this is what made Bradbury who he was. Just brilliant!

The characters jump off the page. The collage of stories meld together in a meaningful narrative that captures Ireland, Melville and Huston. Then Bradbury bares his soul in the most poignant fashion. Well worth a read before or after visiting Dublin, but visit you will.

Read this book when I was much younger and loved it (definitely 5* then, now 4 3/4*). Actually, I love almost anything Irish, and that hasn't changed. Decided to reread GS,WW after a trip to Ireland. My slightly revised impression is that while very well written, the book seems to be trying a bit too hard to impress through descriptions and similes. While it does not go into Irish history at all, it shows insights into and love of the Irish character ("character" emphasized). Learned quite a bit about John Ford, a fascinating character whom I had only known through his films. GS,WW is often serious and thought-provoking, but is filled with many humorous and even laugh-out-loud incidents. A fun read.

Anyone with an interest in Ireland, the novel or film "Moby Dick", screenplays, John Ford and/or Ray Bradbury should read this book. The prose is excellent and each humor-packed chapter is a stand alone piece of art, reminiscent of Bradbury's short stories. The lines between autobiography, a travelogue, and flights of fantasy are delightfully blurred. Altogether, it is a great read that is likely to be reread again and again.

One of the funniest books with hilarious tales of a stay in Ireland while writing the script or the film Moby Dick. And beautifully written by one of the century's best writers

An unusual book from the great master of the short story, primarily known for fantasy and SF. Very humourous account of his time in Ireland writing the screenplay for Moby Dick . A thinly disguised John Houston, director of the film,stars predominantly.

Rather different book from Bradbury because it’s about his experiences as a scriptwriter for John Huston but although biographical it’s great storytelling as you’d expect from Bradbury.