Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Zero Hour by
Ray Bradbury is our May 2025 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on June 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

One of our recent Buddy Reads was The Illustrated Man, linked below. Which contains our current short story read Zero Hour. If interested, Messages 99, 101, 104, 110, and 119 discuss the story.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks for the link to the Buddy Read messages. I must say Cynda brought out a wonderful point about this story and its historical context.

My previous reads of this story were in the 1970s or 1980s when I read The Illustrated Man and then I reread Zero Hour in 2017. I must have run across it in one of my Sci Fi Anthologies. I plan on rereading before saying much more. This is a story that I can remember although it has been years since I read it.

It's about aliens and a creepy scenario for those who have not read it yet.

One cool thing about Ray Bradbury was how open and public he was. He gave many interviews. I think this one is interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggb8D...

"You must write everyday... Writing is the cleansing of the soul."

He says (paraphrasing) for 1000 nights read one short story, one poem, and one essay every night before you go to bed.

It is interesting how Ray Bradbury mixes every day life, à la 1950s, and then throws rockets and perceived futuristic conveniences in the story, then a Twilight Zone twist in the mix. This story reminded me of "Mimsy Were The Borogoves,” where young children were “smarter” than the adults.

I just reread Zero Hour. This is at least my third read, perhaps more. I have been rating things as I reread. Surprisingly I took this story down from 5* to 4*. Like Pharmacdon says it does have many similarities with "Mimsy Were the Borogroves". I think there were more interesting themes explored in "Mimsy". Also, this story in my opinion is not as strong as his book Farhenheit 451. Bradbury's story has a horror genre edge to it. I prefer stories that are more inspirational and gentler. It is very memorable though and well written.

The story was first published as a stand-alone story in 1947 in a pulp magazine called Planet Stories whose target audience was boys. Perhaps that is why children are prevalent in some of these stories - the target audience.

I also can see how in 1947 the theme of an enemy army invading would have been topical in the post- WW2 years.

Perhaps science fiction uses children as a warning. Suppose a society's children can be corrupted, re-educated, trained, or otherwise turned against adults. As time passes a society will face a complete restructuring or destruction.

This was a good, quick read. The narration of the alien invasion was unique and jolly until the end.

Bob wrote: "Perhaps science fiction uses children as a warning. Suppose a society's children can be corrupted, re-educated, trained, or otherwise turned against adults. As time passes a society will face a com..."

So true, Bob. I'm sure the Hitler Youth were close to the surface of his mind when writing this one.