The October Game was my favorite story in Long After Midnight. It's one of those tales where the last line punches you right in the gut.

Unfortunately, many of the rest of the stories didn't resonate with me. Perhaps I read this collection too close to The Martian Chronicles? I couldn't help but compare the two and The Chronicles always came out ahead.

I'm still happy that I read this collection, as my goal is to read all of Ray Bradbury's work. I guess not all of his stories are going to knock the ball out of the park, but a mediocre Bradbury story is still better than a good one from most other authors.

Recommended for fans of science fiction, dark fiction and short stories. ( )

Depressing. They all made me cry. )(October and autumn and the lack of fulfillment. ( )

This is, by far, my favorite collection of [a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg]'s short stories.

[a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg] is a master of fantasy, of sci-fi, and of touching the dreams and the sweet innocence of childhood. He is a wonderful writer, a poetic genius, and stark reminder of how thoroughly writing can shape the mind and pluck the heart. [a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg] is a genius of the short story whose grandeur has only ever been matched by perhaps [a:Jonathan Carroll|23704|Jonathan Carroll|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1222900262p2/23704.jpg], if even that.

[a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg] is also a genius of horror.

[a:Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1261866457p2/3389.jpg] has said that [b:October Country|93251|The October Country|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266470604s/93251.jpg|1046266] is the best book that showcases this often-forgotten talent of [a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg], but I defy him to say that [b:Long After Midnight|94300|Long After Midnight|Iris Johansen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320449781s/94300.jpg|2744509] is far better. This collection showcases the full talent that [a:Ray Bradbury|1630|Ray Bradbury|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190744775p2/1630.jpg] had, as well as the versatility of his style. The horror stories are chilling, the sci-fi stories touching and full of literary wonder.

If you've not read this collection yet - read it. You will not be disappointed. ( )

A fabulous celebration of imagination, shady spots of the soul, and writing itself. Bradbury's confidence is intoxicating - how he pulls of his trapeze act of shouting the story as if in a fit and yet staying superbly readable, I'll never know.

Don't expect sci-fi or fantasy; it's anything but. ( )

Got it done by midnight! This is a group of short stories written in true "Bradbury" style. Always love his stuff! ( )