Author
Ray Bradbury
1920-2012
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Ray Bradbury
Pillar of Fire
"Pillar of Fire" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. This thought-provoking work delves into themes of death, resurrection, and the human condition, exploring what it means to be both alive and dead in a technologically advanced but emotionally barren future. The narrative follows William Lantry, a dead man who rises to find himself in a world that no longer acknowledges death, where corpses are incinerated rather than buried, and the very notion of being dead is considered archaic. The story is propelled by William Lantry’s grotesque awakening as the last known dead man in a society that has eradicated the existence of the dead. Filled with resentment and a burning need for connection, Lantry grapples with his existence in this antiseptic future, where death is treated as an embarrassing inconvenience. As he navigates the brightly-lit world and its inhabitants, he clings to his hatred, which fuels his desire to create companions from the dead. Confronted with the absurdity of his reality, Lantry's journey becomes a desperate attempt to reclaim the concept of death and make others recognize it. Ultimately, however, he learns that the dead do not conform to his fantasies—nobody in this reality believes in the resurrection he longs for, leaving him isolated in a world that refuses to acknowledge his plight.
Zero Hour
"Zero Hour" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story published in the late 1940s. The narrative explores the imaginative world of children and their seemingly innocent game, which takes a darker turn as it intertwines with the realities of adult life and the concept of invasion. The story delves into the themes of childhood innocence, fear, and the unsettling potential of youthful creativity when mixed with adult anxieties. In "Zero Hour," we follow a young girl named Mink and her friends as they engage in an elaborate game called "Invasion," inspired by their vivid imaginations. Mink claims to have a friend named Drill, who suggests that the children should surprise the adults while using unconventional tactics. As the story unfolds, Mink and her peers gather various household items to execute their plan. However, their innocent play escalates into something menacing when the adults, particularly Mink's mother, become increasingly anxious about the children's activities. The climax occurs as Mrs. Morris hides in the attic, fearing an impending invasion. The conclusion reveals a shocking twist: Mink leads a group of children into the attic, culminating in a chilling realization about the true nature of their game and the power of their youthful imaginations.
The Creatures That Time Forgot
"The Creatures That Time Forgot" by Ray Bradbury is a short story first published in 1946. The tale follows Sim and other humans stranded on a harsh planet where radiation limits their lifespan to just eight days. Within sight sits a distant rocket ship that could offer escape, but the deadly journey seems impossible to complete. Gifted with ancestral memories yet trapped by time, Sim pursues a desperate plan to extend life and reach salvation before his days run out.
Asleep in Armageddon
"Asleep in Armageddon" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story set in the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around a space traveler, Leonard Sale, who crash-lands on a seemingly tranquil planetoid after an accident in space. The story explores themes of isolation, the nature of consciousness, and the haunting specters of war that resonate within Sale's mind as he grapples with his impending rescue and the psychological turmoil from being trapped with ancient warrior spirits. The plot delves into Sale’s battle against the encroaching insanity brought on by sleep deprivation and the haunting voices of two ancient warriors, Iorr and Tylle, who seek to use his consciousness to relive their own eternal conflict. As Sale fights to stay awake, the story captures his descent into madness, illuminated by his interactions with the voices symbolizing humanity's violent past, ultimately leading to a tragic climax when he succumbs to sleep just as rescue arrives. In the end, the chilling irony of his fate underscores the profound psychological horror that mirrors the larger themes of war and human suffering that permeate Bradbury's work.
The Monster Maker
"The Monster Maker" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story published in the early 1940s, specifically in the Spring 1944 issue of Planet Stories. The narrative revolves around the themes of perception, illusion, and the psychological nature of fear as two space travelers find themselves stranded on a desolate asteroid and faced with terrifying imaginary monsters. In the story, Click Hathaway and Irish Marnagan are trapped after a meteor crash and find themselves amid a landscape filled with strange creatures created by a pirate named Gunther. As they grapple with the lack of air and physical danger, they realize that these monsters may not be real but rather figments of their imagination, projected into existence by their fears. Throughout their ordeal, Hathaway's camera serves both as a tool for capturing evidence and a metaphor for their struggle to distinguish between reality and illusion. Ultimately, upon realizing that the creatures only exist in their minds, they devise a plan to confront Gunther and defeat the threat using their wits and newfound understanding of their situation. The story delves into the power of belief and fear, showcasing how one's perception can profoundly affect their reality.
Rocket Summer
"Rocket Summer" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story that encapsulates the tension between progress and responsibility, written during the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around the impending launch of the first rocket to the Moon, which is met with both excitement and dread, highlighting the societal consequences of technological advancements. The story follows William Stanley, the president of the company overseeing the rocket launch, as he grapples with the implications of sending humanity into space. While the public eagerly anticipates the event, Stanley is haunted by the potential dangers and moral ramifications that such a leap may bring. Tension escalates as workers and the crowd demand the rocket's launch, leading Stanley to face personal and ethical dilemmas about the purpose and timing of such human endeavors. Ultimately, when the rocket returns, it carries a grim reality of disease and despair instead of triumph, forcing Stanley to confront the dark consequences of human ambition. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked scientific progress and its impact on society.
Futuria Fantasia, Fall 1939
"Futuria Fantasia, Fall 1939" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction fanzine published in 1939. Created when Bradbury was only eighteen, this ambitious magazine brought together emerging talents of science fiction's golden age. Despite financial struggles that limited its run to just four issues, the fanzine featured contributions from future legends including Henry Kuttner, Damon Knight, and Robert A. Heinlein. This Fall 1939 issue contains Bradbury's anonymous story "The Pendulum," which became the foundation for his first professional publication.
Morgue Ship
"Morgue Ship" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story written during the mid-20th century. Set in the vastness of space amidst the backdrop of an ongoing war, the narrative centers around the grim duty of retrieving the bodies of fallen warriors and preserving them for burial. It explores themes of loss, the futility of war, and the human desire to escape from a cycle of violence. The story follows Sam Burnett, a weary coroner aboard the morgue ship "Constellation", who has spent ten years collecting the bodies of dead soldiers in the aftermath of galactic battles. During a final mission, Burnett discovers that among the bodies is Lethla, the assistant to a powerful enemy commander, Kriere. As the story unfolds, Lethla reveals that Kriere is still alive but in danger, prompting a tense standoff aboard the ship. The climax arrives as Burnett must navigate the dichotomy of his grim duties against the weight of his burgeoning morality. In a decisive moment, he captures Kriere using the ship's retrieval claws, symbolically completing his duty but also shedding light on the impact of the war on humanity and the cycle of death it perpetuates. Ultimately, Burnett's journey ends in a poignant reflection on the cost of war and what it means to survive in its wake.
I, Mars
I, Mars by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. The story centers on isolation and self-inflicted psychological torment as a stranded colonist on Mars confronts his own voice preserved in machines. Emil Barton, left alone on Mars after an atomic war recalls Earth’s colonists, survives by wiring the planet with telephones and tapes of his younger self to simulate companionship. Decades later, now old and frail, those recordings begin to taunt him, reminding him of youth and hope while exposing his present despair. He once tried to animate empty towns with sounds, scents, and even robots—only to drown the robots when the delusion became unbearable. Lured by a fake call from a “rocket captain,” he drives across Mars hoping for rescue, finds only empty tarmacs and more machines, and in a final rage smashes phones until his heart fails. The last voices left are two youthful Bartons, mechanically linked, cheerfully talking and laughing, oblivious to the real man’s death.
A Little Journey
"A Little Journey" by Ray Bradbury is a short story that falls within the science fiction genre, and it was likely written in the early 1950s. The narrative follows an elderly widow named Mrs. Bellowes, who, along with a group of other elderly women, embarks on a surreal quest to travel to Mars and then beyond, in search of God. The story captures themes of hope, disillusionment, and the longing for transcendence in the twilight of life. The story begins with Mrs. Bellowes's excitement about her impending journey to Mars, facilitated by a man named Mr. Thirkell, who presents it as a path to God. However, her anticipation quickly shifts to skepticism upon discovering the poor conditions of the rest stop and the dubious quality of the rocket. When Thirkell reveals a week-long delay in their launch, the group protests, only to confront the broken-down, decrepit rocket they are meant to board. Despite the feeling of betrayal, Mrs. Bellowes chooses to take a chance on the journey. Ultimately, as the rocket explodes, she and the other women find themselves hurtling through space, seeking solace in the cosmos and feeling a visceral connection to the divine. The story concludes with Mrs. Bellowes embracing her identity and accepting the infinite journey ahead, highlighting the enduring hope and spiritual yearning of the elderly.
Jonah of the Jove-Run
"Jonah of the Jove-Run" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of a future where humans colonize Mars and aim for Jupiter, the story revolves around the struggles of the elderly character Nibley, who possesses an intuitive knack for navigating complex cosmic trajectories, contrasting sharply with the reliance on machines. The book explores themes of human intuition versus mechanical precision in the face of danger. In the narrative, an aging Nibley feels his capabilities overlooked and struggles against a crew of astronauts who doubt his worth. When a critical piece of machinery crashes, endangering their mission to deliver supplies to colonists on Jupiter, Nibley is reluctantly brought aboard the Rocket Terra as a last resort. As tensions rise, he grapples with his own past mistakes while trying to prove his worth to the younger crew members. Ultimately, after sabotaging their equipment in a fit of drunken desperation, he redeems himself by calculating a perilous path through the asteroid belt, showcasing both his unique abilities and the complexity of human emotion in a science-driven environment. The story culminates in Nibley’s selfless choice to remain behind, fully aware of his impending death but content in his final calculations that contribute to the crew's success.
Defense Mech
"Defense Mech" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction story written in the mid-20th century. The book explores the psychological struggles and fears of a man named Halloway as he journeys to Mars in a rocket, grappling with anxiety over the vastness of space and the potential for peril. The narrative unfolds as Halloway faces profound fear of leaving Earth, prompting the ship's psychiatrist to employ a controversial defense mechanism to ease his mind by creating a fantasy that he is still on Earth. As they approach Mars, Halloway's perception of reality shifts, leading to a series of bizarre encounters, including mistaken identities and confusion over familiar figures from his life. The climax builds as he inadvertently becomes the hero in a chaotic situation with Martians, demonstrating that his crafted reality can lead to surprising outcomes. Ultimately, the story touches on themes of fear, reality versus illusion, and the instinctual need for safety amidst the unknown.
Lazarus Come Forth
"Lazarus Come Forth" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story written in the early to mid-20th century. The narrative explores themes of war, resurrection, and the moral dilemmas surrounding the use of advanced technology as it follows a character named Brandon aboard a Morgue Ship in space, tasked with recovering bodies after battles in an ongoing war with Mars. The core premise revolves around the discovery and revival of a three-century-old scientist who may hold the key to ending the conflict. The story begins with Brandon searching for his son among the bodies aboard the Morgue Ship and soon becomes intertwined with the revival of a dead scientist linked to old myths of advanced weaponry. As Brandon fights against his unscrupulous shipmate Logan, who seeks to sell the scientist to the Martians for personal gain, the tale escalates into a struggle for the future of humanity. Ultimately, Brandon revives the scientist—dubbed Lazarus—and, rather than handing him over to the Martians, he chooses to return to Earth, emphasizing the value of human life over military might. The story culminates with Lazarus awakening, only to identify himself as Brandon, leaving readers to ponder the implications of identity, sacrifice, and the consequences of war.
Futuria Fantasia, Winter 1940
"Futuria Fantasia, Winter 1940" by Ray Bradbury is a collection of speculative fiction pieces published during the early 20th century. This work reflects the burgeoning interest in science fiction and fantasy writing of the time, presenting various imaginative narratives that delve into themes of alien worlds, metaphysical experiences, and the peculiarities of human existence. The book likely explores the changing dynamics of society as influenced by technological advancements and the weirdness of the human condition. The collection includes several distinct stories, each featuring different characters and plots. Notable contributions include "The Voice of Scariliop," where a lost man encounters a mysterious and fantastical queen, Eiry. In "The Fight of the Good Ship Clarissa," the absurdities of space travel are depicted with humor and chaos, highlighting the crew's misadventures on Venus. Other pieces explore philosophical themes, such as the boundaries of sanity and imagination in "The Intruder," where a character grapples with the eeriness of existence and the fear of what dwells beyond the stars. Overall, "Futuria Fantasia" offers a glimpse into the vibrant landscape of early science fiction, filled with creative experimentation and a deep sense of wonder.
Futuria Fantasia, Summer 1939
"Futuria Fantasia, Summer 1939" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction fanzine created in 1938. At just eighteen years old, Bradbury launched this ambitious editorial project with support from the Los Angeles Science Fiction League. Though only four issues appeared before funding challenges ended publication, the fanzine attracted an impressive roster of contributors including Hannes Bok, Henry Kuttner, Damon Knight, and Robert A. Heinlein. Decades later, it received a Retro Hugo Award, cementing its place in science fiction history.