Now and Forever: Somewhere a Band Is Playing & Leviathan '99

“This slim volume eloquently displays two sides of the venerated Bradbury with two highly contrasting tales of the fantastic. ‘Somewhere a Band Is Playing’…framed by engagingly wistful lyric verse, this classically appealing Bradbury fantasy is at distinct odds with the prickly and disturbing ‘Leviathan ’99.’ In this space-faring homage to Melville, the dread comet Leviathan takes the whale’s place, and Queequeg becomes the enigmatic telepath Quell…[and] cogently packs Moby Dick‘s psychological complexity into a quarter of the space…Bradbury’s brief summaries of each novella’s decades-long path to completion invoke the extraordinary length of one of the most distinguished careers in speculative fiction.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Anything new from master fantasist Bradbury’s enchanted pen is cause for celebration. Here are two recently completed novellas that simmered in his imagination for decades…Bradbury’s celebrated literary magic will satisfy newcomers and dedicated fans alike.” —Booklist

“Narrator Paul Hecht sounds like my mind’s eye vision of Ray Bradbury in ‘Somewhere a Band Is Playing.’ He places the time, early twentieth century, perfectly with a tone and intonation that fit the period. The setting is the American Southwest as seen through the eyes of a Chicago journalist. The story is largely a single-person narrative, and Hecht does a creditable job. In the second piece, ‘Leviathan ’99,’ Hecht has more scope for his considerable vocal talents. Between the gravelly voiced blind captain and the fuzzy, green telepathic spider, roommate of the main character, Hecht manages a broad spectrum of differing and sometimes whacky vocal gymnastics. His passion and excellent pacing also improve the work of this master storyteller.” —AudioFile