Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

The October Country

Save:
Find on Amazon

'The October Country' by Ray Bradbury is a collection of 19 horror fantasy short stories that showcase a range of dark, eerie, haunting, and twisted tales. The stories delve into macabre themes, odd occurrences, and bizarre situations that both entrance and repel readers. Through his poetic prose, Bradbury explores the nature of the human condition, mortality, and the mysteries of life, creating a haunting reading experience that lingers long after the stories are finished. The book is a blend of suspenseful, creepy, and unsettling narratives that evoke a sense of unease and contemplation about the world we live in.

The stories in 'The October Country' are known for their beautifully written and highly imaginative nature, capturing the reader's attention with vivid descriptions, vivid imagery, and engaging storytelling. Bradbury's writing style is characterized by its poetic evocations, sparse yet meaningful prose, and the ability to convey deep themes in a few words. The collection offers a mix of horror, fantasy, and suspense, with some stories exploring the darker aspects of human nature while others provide a whimsical and life-affirming perspective on existence. Overall, 'The October Country' presents a diverse range of narratives that touch on themes of love, death, fear, and the supernatural in a captivating and thought-provoking manner.

Characters:

The characters typically represent ordinary individuals navigating moral dilemmas, portraying various dark and nuanced traits.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by lyrical and poetic prose, although it can at times be overly descriptive and rely heavily on metaphors.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a collection of macabre short stories that delve into unsettling themes and the darker aspects of human nature.

Setting:

The settings are atmospheric, reflecting autumn and nostalgia, while intertwining themes of death.

Pacing:

The pacing of the stories varies, with some being more drawn out while others are delivered in a quick, concise manner.
Tonight was one of those motionless hot summer nights. The concrete pier empty, the strung red, white, yellow bulbs burning like insects in the air above the wooden emptiness. The managers of the vari...

Notes:

The October Country is a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury, published in 1955.
Many stories in this collection are reworked versions of those in Bradbury's earlier work, Dark Carnival.
The book showcases Bradbury's exploration of macabre themes rather than his more well-known science fiction.
The October Country features a variety of stories that touch on the subjects of death, horror, and the human condition.
Notable stories in the collection include 'The Small Assassin,' 'The Emissary,' and 'The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone.'
The collection is often read around Halloween due to its eerie and autumnal themes.
Bradbury's prose in this collection is described as poetic and haunting, creating vivid imagery.
The stories explore human fears and the darker sides of ordinary life, often through supernatural or peculiar narratives.
Some readers feel that the collection's endings can be disappointing or rushed, but the writing quality is generally praised.
The illustrations included in some editions enhance the haunting atmosphere of the stories.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, grief, body horror, and unsettling psychological elements.

From The Publisher:

The October Country is Ray Bradbury's own netherworld of the soul, inhabited by the horrors and demons that lurk within all of us. Renowned for his multi-million-copy bestseller, Fahrenheit 451, and hailed by Harper's magazine as "the finest living writer of fantastic fiction," Ray Bradbury proves here that he is America's master of the short story.

This classic collection features:

The Emissary: The faithful dog was the sick boy's only connection with the world outside-and beyond . . .

The Small Assassin: A fine, healthy baby boy was the new mother's dream come true-or her worst nightmare . . .

The Scythe: Just when his luck had run out, Drew Erickson inherited a farm from a stranger; and with the bequest came deadly responsibilities . . .

The Jar: A chilling story that combines love, death . . . and a matter of identity in a bottle of fear.

The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone: A most remarkable case of murder-the deceased was delighted . . .

Plus fourteen more unforgettable tales!

"An author whose fanciful imagination, poetic prose, and mature understanding of human character have won him an international reputation."-The New York Times

Ratings (6)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (26):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (3)

About the Author:

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) was America's foremost writer of science fiction and fantasy. Among his most popular adult books were Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Dandelion Wine, and Death Is a Lonely Business. In addition, he wrote several books for children, including Switch on the Night….

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.