I realise I said I would comment on the stories in this collection but I never did, so I'll try to recall them as well as I can (I read the book about a month ago), and pass some commentary now:
Prologue: The Illustrated Man ****
Excellent introductory piece, a good short story in its own right.
Veldt ****
Excellent - one of those classic stories that feels slightly dated to me, but was well constructed and written and a fine idea. A good old fashioned twist.
Kaleidoscope ****
Albeit there's a very fifties feel to the language and attitudes of the poor men in this story, its very nicely done, and a super idea. I'll remember this one for many years - perhaps my favourite from the collection.
Other Foot **
This was probably an important story in its day, reversing the black-white divide of America, with the whites taking the role of the dispossessed minority on Mars. Outside of the political and moral merits that doubtless made this stand out when published, the story itself is no better than average to my mind.
Highway ***
A short little post apocalypse story, but I rather liked it - the near-focus world view, rather than a global perspective, gave it humanity and pathos.
The Man **
I didn't care for this one so much - its okay, but its a bit hokey.
Long Rain ***
This is one of those old solar system tales, where men wander around Venus in trilby hats (figuratively). But, allowing for the oddity of this (Bradbury never let science get in the way of a good story) its a classic SF short, and I did enjoy it. The sense of tension if well developed and the incessant rain is well described. Not one of his absolute best in my mind, but good nonetheless.
Rocket Man ****
I liked this - it reminded me of Asimov in a somber mood, and was well delivered. Its a simple little fable, but Bradbury writes it well.
The Fire Balloons **
A mars story that could have fit into his Martian Chronicles, except that perhaps he felt it was too religious in theme. I didn't care much for the message, but the story was okay.
Last Night of the World ***
Another classic, and a very short piece. It didn't entirely work for me, being too neat and short, but I recognise that in the time it was written it will probably have had more impact and relevance.
The Exiles **
Okay, this is a weird story - its a an interesting fantasy concept, that great authors are resurrected on Mars until their books are destroyed, but its so odd it didn't really work for me. I accept its a light comedy piece, but I thought it was only so-so.
No Particular Night or Morning ****
Another contender for best story of the collection. Very well done, and with real depth to Bradbury's (or the protagonists) philosophical musings. It's funny how the characters smoke cigarettes on the spaceship, but that aside, this is pretty timeless.
The Fox and the Forest ****
A very well written time-travel story. Excellent in all regards, and one of my favourites here. Good tension is built and you care for characters within only a few pages.
The Visitor ***
Another Mars story and a pretty decent one. Enjoyable but a not classic - it falls just a little short of most of the Martian Chronicles stories I think.
The Concrete Mixer **
A conscientious objector story from the perspective of a Martian asked to invade Earth. Its okay, but nothing great, it felt a bit like filler to me (or concrete?).
Marionettes, Inc. **
A robot-as-spouse-substitute story, it reminded me in theme to del Rey's Helen O'Loy or some of Asimov's early robot stories. Its nice enough, but I'm not sure its aged well. Kind of amusing though.
City **1/2
This was an unexpected digression from Bradbury's usual tales, I felt, as it was overtly dark, and a bit grim. I quite liked it, and I'm hovering between giving it 2 or 3 stars, in my highly critical starring system. Perhaps it deserves 3.
Zero hour ***
This has a ring of "classic SF tale" about bit - kids inadvertently involve themselves in alien invasion. Its rather nice and the small town, close focus, on nobodies is reminiscent of Simak for me. I probably liked it for that reason as much as anything - the approach being, presumably, to present a little local tale, to enable the shock of a global consequence at the end. These days, after we've all read so much SF, it's not exactly a surprise ending, but its a terrific old story nonetheless.
Rocket ***
This is barely SF, in a sense, as its a nice little fable about poverty, privilege and making the most of the life available to you. There's (sort of) a spaceship in it, so it qualifies as SF. Its nicely done, but doesn't exactly end the book with bang.
