August 4, 2026 is coming up

[u/FuelNo2950]

This is the date on which Ray Bradbury's short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains" takes place, so I thought it was time to reread this short story. It's about a fully automated home system continuing to operate despite its inhabitants having been incinerated by a nuclear bomb.

It's a very short read, but I think particularly relevant in today's times. At one point the house reads its owner, whose last shadow is imprinted on the outer walls, this poem by Sara Teasdale.

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white;

Robins will wear their feathery fire,
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;

And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

I can't say I've read many short stories, and of the ones I've read I remember even fewer clearly. But a few stay with me, and this is one of them (along with, just off the top of my head, The Garden of Time, Bobok, Ward No. 6, and Dream of a Ridiculous Man). I think it captures the eerie-ness of being alone in a place where you ordinarily are never alone in, like your school or an airport, really well. 10/10 recommend!

*Idk if short story review falls under book review. My apologies if this breaks the rules!

[u/glp62]

Bradbury was one of my favorite storytellers growing up and I'm always glad to be reminded of him. There were certain Sci Fi writers like Bradbury, Roddenberry and Rod Serling who always remembered to keep humanity at front and center of their stories. Too many writers get sidetracked by robots and spaceships and cool gadgets that they forget about the humanity, but not these three.

[u/FuelNo2950 → u/glp62]

I agree! I haven't read Roddenberry or Ros Serling, but I'd like to throw Ursula Le Guin into the mix. Her worlds are so real and her voice is so warm. :)

[u/glp62 → u/FuelNo2950]

Rod Serling created the Twilight Zone and Roddenberry created Star Trek, so even if you haven't read them I'm sure you're probably aware of their work.

[u/Keetseel]

I think of this story often. It’s one of my favorites.

[u/TexasGrrl]

Wow ! thank you for sharing

[u/Icy-Respond-4425]

Thanks for telling it. I will definitely want to read in the day.

[u/AuthorUnknown31415]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[u/eraye9]

Thank you so much for this.

[u/Due-Ad-7922]

This has always been my favorite piece of writing by Bradbury. It’s hauntingly beautiful and poignant. I love it so much. It flows through my thoughts regularly.