Marionettes, Inc.

“Marionettes, Inc.” is a short story, first published in Ray Bradbury’s 1949 short story collection Startling Stories. The narrative, set in 1990, follows the character of Braling as he attempts to liberate himself from the confines of his marriage using a lifelike marionette named Braling Two. Through its themes, “Marionettes, Inc.” explores The Ethical Dilemmas of Technology and Marriage Versus Individual Desires.

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) was an American author known for his contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. His works often explored the impact of technology on society, and the human condition. Bradbury’s breakthrough came with The Martian Chronicles (1950), a collection of interconnected stories set on Mars. Another of his seminal works is Fahrenheit 451 (1953), a dystopian novel warning against censorship and the suppression of intellectual freedom. Throughout his career, Bradbury received numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation.

This guide refers to the 2009 Subterranean Press edition of Marionettes, Inc. freely available at Open Library.  

At 10 o’clock in the evening, two friends, Smith and Braling, walk home.