Top 10 Ray Bradbury Short Stories (Ranked & Reviewed)

[@bigphilly7345]

Currently trying to do his challenge of writing one short story per week because, as he said, “it’s impossible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.” I love his work.

[@PFNel]

Impossible to write 52 bad short stories in a row? Hold my beer, Ray!

[@bigphilly7345]

@@PFNel Exactly. Maybe impossible when you’re the legendary Ray Bradbury, but pretty sure I could write 104 bad stories in a row!

[@MsPilgrim123]

Ray Bradbury was responsible for me becoming a voracious reader as a child. Like him, I spent a lot of time in public libraries. I was in the sixth grade when I Read "All Summer in a Day." As a twelve-year-old the sadness and irony of that story struck me hard. From then on I read as much Bradbury as I could get my hands on. To this day as a sixty-two-year-old woman Ray Bradbury remains one of my favorite authors. I was fortunate to see him in person twice before he died. He was in his eighties by then but still sharp lucid and kind. I had a couple of books signed by him. It's refreshing to see a young person like yourself embrace Bradbury's work. Thank you for such captivating and intelligent commentary.

[@galay7844]

My favorite writer and a big spiritual influence since childhood. The following two short stories impessed me the most - 'All summer in a day' and 'The April Witch'

[@suecondon1685]

All summer in a day is so sad.

[@danfunk5505]

April Witch still haunts me with April's past in the midwest.

[@dec66.18]

Ray Bradbury was a genius.His stories stay with me like no other writer.Your picks are great ones.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! I completely agree :) What an absolute treasure to the world he was!

[@justme8317]

My elementary class had an assignment to read this short story. I read it, and read it again and again. I felt Margo's pain for a month after I read this wonderful story!! I woke up thinking about her and felt so bad for her. I cried and thought how could kids be so mean to her. 30 years later, I read the story once again and I loved it just as much as I did when I read it the first time. It made such an impact on me!! And although it's fictitious, I felt like it was the real thing! And still do!! Love the author!

[@pch2230]

The Scythe, Powerhouse, the introduction to The Illustrated Man, Kaleidoscope, The Wind, There Will Come Soft Rains, Night Call Collect, The Fog Horn, Night Meeting, The Picasso Summer. There are just so many.

[@mint_marigold1229]

The first Ray Bradbury short story I ever read was "There Will Come Soft Rains" in seventh grade and the idea of an autonomous house continuing to live even after its owners' deaths stuck with me. We read a few more stories too, and all of them filled me with dread and curiosity and wanderlust. Bradbury's stories always make me think-- he may not be my favorite author (that'd be Madeline L'Engle) of all time, but he's definitely the best author I've ever read, objectively, and I love his work.

[@deeesher]

I was in 4th grade (maybe 5th?) when I discovered Ray Bradbury. I had a magazine that printed his story Fever Dream. It absolutely terrified me! But not so much that I didn't want more. From there, I read Fahrenheit 451 in 6th grade, then Martian Chronicles in 7th grade, and Something Wicked in 8th grade. And obviously I've enjoyed his short stories along the way. He always had a certain poetic styling that I have never found in any other author, and it just makes it such a comfortable read, no matter the content. Thank you for this list.

[@raymondhummel5211]

Child like sense of wonder I like that! Like Ray I love to spend time at the library. He self educated himself without going to college. Such self motivation! I really respect that. The things he conceived in his mind are so amazing!

[@angelicablue]

My favorite collection is The October Country, & The Next In Line is probably my favorite tale in that collection. Something about the thought of burial practices in a foreign country, a place you do not know or understand; even if they are antiquated practices, is just beyond unsettling to me.

[@misty_doi11]

The Veldt is also the first ever Ray Bradbury story I ever read, and my first thought was how utterly amazing it was that a story written in 1950 could be so scarily accurate and relevant today, not only in terms of sheer consequences but also in terms of the desires and fantasies people have. Who wouldn't want such a technological marvel as that playroom in their house? And what you said about Black Mirror, that was my second thought. That if Black Mirror wanted to revive another season, all they need to do to get a string of hit episodes is to adapt Bradbury's short stories such as The Veldt. I also recently read A Sound of Thunder a few days ago, and was blown away. Aside from the obvious dystopia, the staggering scale of capitalism and human arrogance that encourages people to spend thousands to go back in time and risk changing the course of history just for trophy hunting, is amazing. And yes, I thought of the butterfly effect too! Thanks for informing me that it was popularised by Bradbury first. I also read There Will Come Soft Rains around the same time I read The Veldt, so I drew the similarities of a "smart house", a technological dream and marvel. It was so depressing and the death of that poor dog remained with me for years after that. Starving to death in a house which automates the cooking of delicious meals that go to waste, because there is no one to consume them or offer them to a starving dog. I read The Lake recently, around the same time I read A Sound of Thunder. It was hauntingly sad and beautiful, which shows the author dabbling in possible horror. I have a fear of drowning, so it triggered me a little bit. The Pedestrian! Read it a few years ago, around the same time I read The Veldt and There Will Come Soft Rains. And yes, you're right, just like those two stories, this one makes a scarily accurate prediction which is so relevant today. Read The Kaleidoscope today. Wonderfully, beautifully written, exploring regret and contemplation in the midst of hurtling towards an inevitable death. Will read the others you recommended.

[@briancox9357]

Kaleidoscope is such a great story. It's philosophical fiction in many ways, and the imagery is stunning.

[@mangalapalliv]

I run a story reading club for a group of 20 children. We meet up twice a week in both offline/online modes to read a story per session. Till date we have read 110 stories 24 of which are Ray Bradbury stories. Children simply love Ray....

[@cierragill]

The Illustrated Man has been my favorite book since I was in high school. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve read it. Thank you for this 😊

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Such a wonderful book :) I'm so happy to hear it's meaningful to you too, Cierra!

[@drdem00]

OMG I SO AGREE ! ... Ray Bradbury is so Creative & Underappreciated !! i SOO Loved how he ended the "Martian Chronicles" ...

[@lynjazz5122]

I sooo love "The Emissary"! It beautifully captures the essence o' autumn...

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

My favourites: And the Rock Cried Out, Kaleidoscope, The Next in Line, Skeleton, Zero Hour, A Story of Love, The Emissary, Let's Play Poison, No Particular Night or Morning, and, indeed, There Will Come Soft Rains. Not a short story, but I've always liked the Captain's monologue in Fahrenheit 451.

[@sandraelder1101]

Dandelion Wine!!!! I also loved Something Wicked This Way Comes, Martian Chronicles, Fahrenheit 451, and Illustrated Man. I couldn’t possibly choose a story. Too many gems.

[@curtjarrell9710]

I first read stories by Ray Bradbury when I was in junior high or high school. One of the books to choose from on our reading list was 'The Illustrated Man.' I fell in love with his work after reading "The Veldt." and "There Will Come Soft Rains." Years later I enjoyed 'The October Country' which includes "The Emissary." Though not story collections I'm also a huge fan of 'The Halloween Tree,' 'Dandelion Wine,' and its' sequel 'Farewell Summer.'

[@SMtWalkerS]

I love Ray Bradbury and this inspires me to reread his stories.

[@mrwoodandmrtin]

Sound of thunder.. what a story.. what a title.. Blows your mind as a kid.

[@Matt.Pattinson]

In no particular order, some favourites which immediately spring to mind would be The Scythe, The Fog Horn, The Playground, Jack in the box, Marionettes Inc, The Veldt, The Golden Kite The Silver Wind, The Night, Skeleton . I could go on forever. Its impossible for me to choose a number one favourite short story

[@ivatorres4515]

I don't know whether you will believe me or not, but something short of miracle has just happened to me. I was listening to you - l often do - talking about Ray Bradbury, whose presence in my library is well-grounded, when my mind started wondering and my thoughts focused on one particular book l had lost, lent, misplaced, and l misses very much. DANDELION WINE! I will not go into details to tell you what l have done over the years to get another copy, neither will l say why l cherished that book só much. Suddently l saw it. I went downstairs to a library where more than 5.000 books managed to find its place, and .... there it was Happy as a child who still believes in miracles, l sat on the floor and started reading..

[@ivatorres4515]

Thank you, Benjamin McEvoy . I love listening to your comments and book reviews. They have helped me in various circumstances. I apologise for my spelling mistake in the above story. * missed.

[@mangalapalliv]

From my previous comment 10 months ago.... we have read 210 stories till date in our story reading club of which 46 are Ray's stories including The Fog Horn, The City, The Last Night of the World, Mexico Calling, The Smile, The Picasso Summer, The Scythe, The Night, The Fox and the Forest, The Long Rain, The Pedestrian, All Summer in a Day, Kaleidoscope, There Will Come Soft Rains, The Poems, A Season of Disbelief, Another Fine Mess, The One Who Waits, The Crowd, The Coffin, Marionettes Inc., Mars is Heaven, The Emissary, The Man Upstairs, The Small Assassin, Skleton, The Far-Away Guitar (Miss Bidwell), The Sea Shell, Hail and Farewell, The Wind, Bless Me, Father for I have Sinned, Zero Hour, The Rocket, A Sound of Thunder, The Veldt, The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind, The Flying Machine, A Story of Love, Fever Dream, Aqueduct, The Wilderness, The Earth Men, A Piece of Wood, The Visitor, The Other Foot, The Man................. Children love his stories and they have a special place for him in their hearts....

[@winstonmiller9649]

Thank you for your uplifting Ray Bradbury shout out! Like some, my interest in literature began with a inspiring reading of a Bradbury story by my untiring high school English teacher. Up to then I hadn't realized that such wonderful readings existed. For ages Bradbury was all I read, then slowly I began peering into others writer's works, in which i found further richness. 😊📚😀

[@Sparkball]

Amazing list. The Lake is one of the most beautifully written texts I’ve ever read. There will come soft rains is absolutely genius

[@stefox70]

I've had the Everyman's Bradbury short stories for a while now, but didn't know where to start, thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'll start with these. Great channel, eloquent and inspiring!

[@thebookdoc.writing.and.editing]

I enjoy your enthusiasm. Bradbury was one of the first writers I read (after things like Charlie Brown books), and not surprised the first two books you mention are The Illustrated Man and Golden Apples of the Sun.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you. He was one of my firsts too, with 'A Sound of Thunder' finding me around the age of eight.

[@SketchrimEdits]

The Exiles is a really great one. And I agree with The Lake, it is really touching. It's hard to choose, to be honest.

[@royboy56100]

And last but not least ; ' The Thing At The Top Of The Stairs ", from The Toynbee Convector almost gave me nightmares. Outstanding journey into a childhood fear we have often shared growing up .Superbly done...." It had waited years for him..." Wow.

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

My favorite is "The Man," because as a person of faith, it allows me to meditate on Christ and Eucharist in a beautiful way. It's also very, very refreshing to read a Sci-fi or Fantasy work that doesn't denigrate faith or Christ. On quite another note, "Banshee" is a very chilling horror. I love horror that makes one question whether something is actually haunted or is it all in someone's head. (Sort of like Haunting of Hill House.)

[@rutolteanu3828]

I loved Fahrenheit 451 when I came across it. After all the chaos, right at the end it was hope. Loved it!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Wonderful book. I've just picked it up for a reread :)

[@FrankJMarr]

The Lake was the first Bradbury story I read, when I was 13 or 14. The Ray Bradbury Theater is a great TV series. Some of my all-time favourites not mentioned in your video are (of course this is only a partial list): Gotcha!, Fever Dream, The Visit, The Day it Rained Forever, The April Witch, Zero Hour, The October Game, A Story of Love, All Summer in a Day, Trapdoor, Tomorrow's Child, The Fog Horn, Embroidery, The Blue Bottle, The Wind, The Scythe, Long After Midnight, The Thing at the Top of the Stairs, The Man Upstairs, The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl, Touched with Fire, Jack-in-the-Box, At Midnight in the Month of June, Someone in the Rain, Heavy-Set, The Golden Apples of the Sun, The Twilight Greens, A Matter of Taste, and The Great Wide World Over There. What an imagination!

[@sashaflip7450]

Fahrenheit 451 is one of my all time favorite books. I don’t know why I have never picked up another Bradbury. I’ve been meaning to read Dandelion Wine but I think I’ll pick up the short stories first! Thanks for the recommendations!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Same here, Natalie :) Dandelion Wine is lovely. Beautiful meditations upon everything near and dear to Bradbury's heart. My personal favourite will always be The Illustrated Man, but everything he puts out is wonderful.

[@Read2live]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy I love Fahrenheit 451, but I'm finishing up The Illustrated Man now, and I love it also. I think I still love Fahrenheit 451 even more, but still the Ilustrated Man is brilliant.

[@leamaytcalingo]

Hello, Benjamin! Just wanted to say that I'm so glad to know Kaleidoscope is included on your list. I know most people who have read Bradbury particularly liked The Veldt, and for good reason, but Kaleidoscope isn't getting the attention it deserves. Or maybe it was just so personal to me because I have found a closure for all the friendships I lost due to Covid-19 through that short story. Some of those people literally passed away, some of them I lost because of the many changes that happened around. And someone who have read Kaleidoscope might understand why it GIVES! Anyway, I haven't read all of Bradbury's work and I am so grateful for your recommendations; and judging by this video, I could really tell you had a deep dive into his writing. It's inspiring! The Illustrated Man is also my favorite so far and I've only read that along with F451, The Martian Chronicles, and Dandelion Wine. Again, thank you!!! I'm taking note of the titles I haven't read yet. :)

[@bryanrussell4613]

Zero Hour rocks!!!! A thought-provoking idea like Boys Raise Giant Mushrooms in Your Cellar, only they use kids. Terrifying!!!!

[@robmch8940]

Hey, I really enjoyed this video. I'm from México, thank you for sharing your passion for Bradbury's work. Right now I'm reading The ilustrated man, and I totally agree: it's a wonderful book.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Nice one :) I love that book! And thank you for watching over in México! I hope to visit your country some day!

[@laquerisma]

I inherited many books last year, one of which is a 1965 copy of The Vintage Bradbury. It's his "own selection of his best stories". It was priced at a whole $1.45! Can't wait to get started on it.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That's so cool!! :)

[@zapify6999]

I studied his short story “All summer in a day” in school and it was great

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Superb story!

[@KevinsKontentKorner]

My favorite short story collection ever is the illustrated man also. It’s been on my mind lately and I need to reread that masterpiece. My favorite story was The Long Rain. I’ve also read the October Country and I Sing the Body Electric, and last year reread Something Wicked This Way Comes.

[@briancox9357]

The Long Rain is a brilliant story, written like poetry with such vivid imagery

[@Tessy31]

My favorite short stories by Ray Bradbury are "Jack-in-the-box" and "The April Witch", both very different. Thanks for your recommendations!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Great choices :)

[@curtismoss8616]

Just got the Everyman edition at my local library. Great stories to read right before bed and nod off to.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Nice one, Curtis! Completely agree. I've been reading a story from his Dark Carnival recently each night before bed. Wonderful storyteller.

[@troydaum4728]

Wow Bradbury truly is poetry. Such an interesting method of starting with various nouns and descriptors to start a story. This is such a cool breakdown.

[@MsLBsugar]

Bradbury is my absolute favorite. His ability to understand technology’s impact on the future -far beyond anyone else has, in my humble opinion.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm totally with you on that!

[@MsLBsugar]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy that’s awesome!

[@jotajota6125]

Fahrenheit 451 is what got me to start reading his work. My personal favorites are The Rocket Man, Powerhouse, The Foghorn, The Veldt, A Sound of Thunder, The Illustrated Man, and Something Wicked This Way Come

[@Anastasia-zv3ot]

The Creatures That Time Forgot is very good as well

[@susprime7018]

I Sing the Body Electric, he took the title from Walt Whitman. I read The Illustrared Man long ago and I read his final published collection, which was small. Fahrenheit 451 assures his place in the American literature.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Beautiful story and one that should have made the top ten list. I'm working my way through a chronological reading of Bradbury at the moment, starting with Dark Carnival and then moving onto the Martian Chronicles. Good fun.

[@susprime7018]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy We'll Always Have Paris was the collection published before his death, it did not have the power of his earlier collections, which is fine, can't hit it out of the park everytime, especially when old and tired.

[@captain2fat]

The Martian Chronicles is my personal favorite. I read it around the age of twelve, and it was truly mind-expanding, even though I didn't fully understand every nuance at the time. Try to find an older copy, as at least one story has somehow been deemed too politically incorrect by the modern censors, and has been removed from many recent printings. (It's not, though, actually quite powerfully anti-racism, in fact). The October Country is also great, a collection of horror tales.

[@MichaelGray-n2j]

Ray Bradbury, prophet & author ❤

[@MsLBsugar]

Oh my Lucy- I also think “The Veldt” is the best.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I adore 'The Veldt' :)

[@MsLBsugar]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy I teach it as often as possible (middle/high school- and even to elementary during the summer).

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

@@MsLBsugar Wow! Your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher :)

[@MsLBsugar]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy That is kind of you. I am actually really fortunate to have them. They are willing to try whatever I throw their way, and I get to watch them grow as writers, analysts, readers…and often times, after they go to college, we still keep in contact. It’s humbling - all of it.

[@jacklawrence2212]

Loved the video, with some great choices. Personally, I love 'Ylla' (I may have the that spelling wrong) from 'The Martian Chronicles'. Creepy, poetic and so full of atmosphere. Epic and domestic at the same time.

[@aramboodakian9554]

The first story I read of his was “ Kaleidoscope” included in a multiple science fiction author collection. From then on I was hooked on his style. I think I was 11 years old in 6th grade.

[@dec66.18]

Yes, great story.There is an excellent radio adaption of this, think it was on "Escape".Worth listening to.

[@Cyberdine.Systems.Model-101]

Mars is heaven!! Always creeped me out. Perfect mix of nostalgia and horror.

[@eligreen7925]

What a joy to find your commentaries and your understanding of the short story I'm just so thrilled to have bumped into this I was looking for a short story by Ray Bradbury about a woman on a bench it turns out she's pregnant and doesn't know why and I believe it's by him am I thinking correctly about this?

[@bc7014]

the exiles... also the scythe

[@Read2live]

The Veldt, yes!!! Incredible and terrifying.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Almost your entire list goes into my Greatest Hits album (with a couple left off only because - GASP! - I am not familiar with them. A couple others I love, which have not been mentioned by others, yet: All Summer In A Day; The Foghorn; Usher II; Laurel and Hardy; and - Gasp again, the title escapes me. - the story of the school chums who make a pact to all meet at a certain point 50 years hence.

[@bryanrussell4613]

Mars Is Heaven, the horror of Martians using dead loved ones to trap you. Sick and scary!!!

[@bryanrussell4613]

Before I can say anything about the Lake, I want to suggest it to one man. I want to suggest this short story to a writer's son. The author of Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson, her son, David. His mother had cancer and the family was having problems because of it. If that wasn't enough, Lisa Hill, his best friend, died from a lightning strike. Luckily, Kathrine survived cancer, but Lisa's death was a scarring experience. David L. Paterson, The Lake is for you! Banzai!!!!!

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

3:20 and most of the modern criticisms I see about his writing are precisely because they are optimistic.

[@thomastaylor9896]

Would you suggest I read illustrated man or the everymans library collection first?

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

The Everyman's Library Edition seems to have the stories from the Illustrated Man (plus many more), so I would recommend that one for you :)

[@jasonjmarchi]

Hello Ben. I believe this is my first time running across this video of yours on Ray Bradbury. You mention that your favorite Bradbury book is THE ILLUSTRATED MAN. You might be interested to know that I have the original typeset manuscript of this book, which Ray gave to me around 2005 or 2006 after I prompted a plaque dedication at the house where Ray wrote the stories that would become THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. The house was at 670 S. Venice Blvd., Venice CA. The house was torn down a few years before Ray's death, and the bronze plaque vanished. I think it's still in the possession of the man who sold the house, Kevin Miller. I'm presently going through my entire Bradbury archive, determining what I will keep and what I will likely sell at auction. If you'd like to see the original ILLUSTRATED MAN typescript, I can send you some photos.

[@akulinamackenzie4492]

👍 my favorite: I am waiting……nowhere on ytube

[@dglorious1269]

Who came first, Ray or Rod? They're both good. Binge watching the Ray Bradbury theater now.

[@susanl6677]

I’m binge watching it too. I’m almost done with season 6. 😢

[@oberstul1941]

Senpai, @17:39 there's no short story with that name; "Come into My Cellar" is the name of the short story and it was adapted into the short movie The Ray Bradbury Theater: Boys! Raise Giant Mushrooms In Your Cellar! (1989). Cheers!

[@bryanrussell4613]

The Garbage Collector is a spooky story. It's about a garbage man who likes his job, then, with nuclear war on the rise, he was told to pick up the bodies, fresh or cooked.

[@Addwrite]

Does the Everyman edition contain all of the ss's found in volumes 1 & 2 of the paperback you refered to earlier in the video?

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Just the first volume I'm afraid!

[@Addwrite]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thank's...I'm undecided as to whether to opt for the Everyman or go for the two paperbacks...shame, as I love Everyman books!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

@@Addwrite Everyman has my vote :)

[@Addwrite]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thank's again.

[@Martiniization]

Ray Bradbury, i.e. his mind, consciousness, imagination, in short, was one exceptionally "live wire"!

[@cliffmckay]

Agree with many of these, but would also recommend "The Murderer". Same general theme of technology beginning to take over and completely change society like in "The Veldt". In its own way, just as chilling. Incredibly far-sighted, considering how our societies are structured today....

[@kentjensen4504]

This was beautiful. You’re a treasure.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Kent :)

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy you always speak with passion. Out of curiosity, have you read Philip K Dick?

[@danfunk5505]

Long After Midnight, Fire and Ice,The Blue Bottle.

[@Iamsegesest]

👏💐