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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
It's a classic, what can you say. Bradbury writes wonderful little horror stories.
The Dwarf ★★★★★
The Next in Line ★★★
The Watchful Pokerchip of H. Matisse ★★★
Skeleton ★★★★★
The Jar ★★
The Lake ★★★
The Emissary ★★★★
Touched with Fire ★★
The Small Assassian ★★★★★
The Crowd ★★★★★
Jack In the Box ★★
The Scythe ★★★★★
Average rating 3.5
The Next in Line ★★★
The Watchful Pokerchip of H. Matisse ★★★
Skeleton ★★★★★
The Jar ★★
The Lake ★★★
The Emissary ★★★★
Touched with Fire ★★
The Small Assassian ★★★★★
The Crowd ★★★★★
Jack In the Box ★★
The Scythe ★★★★★
Average rating 3.5
If I was to calculate the average of individual ratings for each story in this collection it would probably be around 3.5. Perhaps a 4-star rating would be more appropriate.
Personally, this book is just plain old boring good. Some stories were fantastic. I absolutely loved The Small Assassin and The Lake but others were just plain average. You do expect this sort of distribution with any short story collection though.
I'm bias towards sci-fi but I definitely preferred The Martian Chronicles.
Personally, this book is just plain old boring good. Some stories were fantastic. I absolutely loved The Small Assassin and The Lake but others were just plain average. You do expect this sort of distribution with any short story collection though.
I'm bias towards sci-fi but I definitely preferred The Martian Chronicles.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I couldn't read this at night, often spooked by the excellent imagery and world-building within each short story.
Favorites from this collection, in order of "appearance":
The Next in Line (specifically the passages describing her panic attacks)
Skeleton (especially his conversation with the fat man)
The Small Assassin (everything about this...made me spook myself out when I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night)
Jack-in-the-Box (world building)
The Scythe (much like Bradbury's sci-fi stories)
Uncle Einar (warm fuzzies)
The Wind (eerie)
The Man Upstairs (is it weird I imagined Billy Bob Thorton?)
There Was an Old Woman (just liked it)
Homecoming (warm, sad fuzzies)
There seemed to be some commentary on mental illness—panic attacks, personality disorders, post-partum disorders, etc.—that Bradbury "validates" with his narratives. People would make fun of you, call you silly, but should you be afraid of the skeleton living inside you?
Favorites from this collection, in order of "appearance":
The Next in Line (specifically the passages describing her panic attacks)
Skeleton (especially his conversation with the fat man)
The Small Assassin (everything about this...made me spook myself out when I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night)
Jack-in-the-Box (world building)
The Scythe (much like Bradbury's sci-fi stories)
Uncle Einar (warm fuzzies)
The Wind (eerie)
The Man Upstairs (is it weird I imagined Billy Bob Thorton?)
There Was an Old Woman (just liked it)
Homecoming (warm, sad fuzzies)
There seemed to be some commentary on mental illness—panic attacks, personality disorders, post-partum disorders, etc.—that Bradbury "validates" with his narratives. People would make fun of you, call you silly, but should you be afraid of the skeleton living inside you?
Perfect Halloween reading. One of my all time favorite authors and so good to go back and read. He always reminds me what real horror writing is. How I love you Mr. Bradbury.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Honestly just love Ray Bradbury.. this man's writing is flawlessly beautiful. While all the stories contained in this book are great, my favorites are The Lake, There Was an Old Woman & The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone. This collection will give you all the feels and has something for everyone!
A creepy collection
This is the first thing I've read by Bradbury and it didn't disappoint.
As with all anthologies of short stories, I found that some of them really stood out above others.
I very much enjoyed:
- The Next in Line
- The Jar
- The Small Assassin
- The Wind
- There Was an Old Woman
These are just the stand out ones I keep thinking about but on the whole I enjoyed the collection.
This is the first thing I've read by Bradbury and it didn't disappoint.
As with all anthologies of short stories, I found that some of them really stood out above others.
I very much enjoyed:
- The Next in Line
- The Jar
- The Small Assassin
- The Wind
- There Was an Old Woman
These are just the stand out ones I keep thinking about but on the whole I enjoyed the collection.
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Mr. Bradbury was very kind in that to make up for the the unsettled mood he’s put you in for the first half of the book, the last few stories are much more comforting and end on sweeter and more pleasant notes.