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The October Country

Written by: Ray Bradbury
Narrated by: David Aaron Baker
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Publisher's Summary

Haunting, harrowing, and downright horrifying, this classic collection from the modern master of the fantastic features: 

  • "The Small Assassin": a fine, healthy baby boy was the new mother's dream come true - or her nightmare.... 
  • "The Emissary": the faithful dog was the sick boy's only connection with the world outside - and beyond.... 
  • "The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone": a most remarkable case of murder - the deceased was delighted! 
  • And more!
©1955 Ray Bradbury (P)2018 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The October Country

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Honestly frightening

I was having very little luck in my search for quality (scary) horror fiction outside of Stephen King. This changed that. Moments within are actually scary. If you're a fan of this I recommend listening to the album "The Shunned Country" by Bob Drake.

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  • steven richard pohl
  • 2019-09-17

The October Country

I've always shied away from Ray Bradbury growing up. Even in college, back in the early 90s, I would walk the other way if I sensed a Bradbury story was coming my way. This is due to the fact that I, more so back then, detest science fiction tales. I thought Mr. Bradbury would be boring in a 1950 flying saucer way. Years after graduation college, when I could digest more literature, I stumbled across a copy of The October Country. Wow. I couldn't believe what I was reading. It necessarily wasn't the content of each tale that enthralled me, but it was how it was written. There exists pure poetry in Bradbury's prose. I gobbled up The October Country and ever since then, have read most of his works. I must say, however, that his short story writing is a million times better than his novels. Great collection. Bradbury really shines in all these tales.

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20 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2019-12-08

Fantastic writing studded with a few empty plots

So, I love Ray Bradbury's writing. His ability to craft palaces of light and shadow out of mere words is right up there with the best of the best. And, usually, he gives you lots to think about. But sometimes you gotta wonder if the guy was on or just recently off his meds.

This collection of stories is no different. The words used and the worlds created are impeccable. Unfortunately... with a rare few of these stories... the pathways running through those beautiful worlds are... kinda dumb. And every one of them ends abruptly. Which can work for some of the stories but is a little jarring for the others.

Then too it could have been the man who did the reading. He wasn't bad, he wasn't good, he was a solid meh and that kind of bled all over the stories. I don't know how you do it but Amazon needs to use a different clip for the demo so you can actually get a feel for how he tackles stories and the different voices that some require.

There are far more good than bad stories and the guy who read it hit a few solid notes with a few of the characters from some of the stories, so it was worth the credit I used to buy it but... I don't recommend it for anyone who doesn't love Ray Bradbury enough to sit through a couple duds.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Tom B
  • 2021-03-23

Some of these stories are great, some are not.

Ray Bradbury is a fantastic writer, each of these stories is beautifully told and performed excellently by David Aaron Baker. The problem is, as beautiful as these stories are told, some of them are so similar to one another that it becomes a little tedious to hear them out. More than one story follows the path of "person obsesses over something that becomes their undoing". It's not enough to make me dislike the whole experience, the solid stories inside are that good and worth it, but it did make it a little boring to listen to from time to time to have to slug through another tale about a person undoing themself with irrational thinking. Overall, I'm glad I listened. It was a good experience, but not a must-read.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Eric Wasson
  • 2019-05-11

It's Bradbury

Classic Bradbury . These stories show why he was a master of the short story. The characters are interesting and have their own desires and motives .

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5 people found this helpful

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  • Alonna
  • 2019-11-17

just like going home and being embraced by Autumn!

This is a MUST read for anybody who enjoys reading in general. Dont go your whole life without getting into it with Bradbury. that would be a mistake.

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4 people found this helpful

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  • D.R
  • 2021-02-11

A masterpiece of storyteling and voice acting

Really, this one is incredible. I wasn't sold on the narrator at first, I had listened to another book with a deep voiced narrator beforehand and questioned this one, but his voice acting is impeccable! 12/10!

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3 people found this helpful

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  • Dave
  • 2019-10-31

So Many Midnights and Ideas and Insanities

I’m so glad Bradbury’s The October Country is finally out in audio. This is one of my favorite collections by him, and it’s a treat to be able to hear it. There are so many fantastic stories within this collection that stand the test of time — from “The Dwarf” to “The Next in Line” Bradbury’s talent for mood and atmosphere have never been more apparent. I first read this collection years before so couldn’t remember the details of all the stories. “The Scythe” in particular surprised me in all the right ways and had a stunning narration by David Aaron Baker. Finally, of course, there’s the sublime melancholy heartbreak of “Homecoming” — one of my favorite Bradbury stories.

The October Country is a delightful listen to make Autumn anytime of the year.

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  • Michael G Kurilla
  • 2021-06-21

Collection of short stories

Ray Bradbury's The October Country is a collection of nineteen short stories that mostly comprise of a bit of the supernatural with occasional horror related themes. For the most part they are enjoyable and engaging, but few stand out. One particular story, The Homecoming, was the basis for a full-length novel.

In general, the collection displays the range of storytelling by Bradbury and short be regarded as just stories, rather than any serious form of literature. If he had been writing these five to ten years later, they may have been considered fodder for television shows such as Twilight Zone or Outer Limits.

The narration is well done with tone and mood well aligned with the tales.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • Karen Marie
  • 2020-05-14

A+ writing

Wonderful collection of thoughtful stories about the human experience. The reader did a great job.

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  • KJ
  • 2019-10-08

Sometimes Classics Are Classically Bad

Stoked for fall, so I tried really hard to get into this. It even had October in the title. But good grief, each story was worse than the last. I gave up on each one until there were no more chapters to skip.

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2 people found this helpful