The Golden Apples of the Sun

by Ray Bradbury
The Golden Apples of the Sun cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Short Story Collections
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6121
  • Added: 2025-11-02
  • Updated: 2025-11-05
  • ISBN: 9780837151601
  • Publisher: Praeger
  • Published: 1971-04-29
  • Reviews: 4

Ray Bradbury, one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, presents a collection of 32 stories that highlight his unparalleled talent for blending fantasy and science fiction. Originally published in two separate collections, these tales demonstrate Bradbury's mastery of storytelling and his ability to captivate readers with his unique voice. Spanning a career of over six decades, these stories celebrate life, dreams, and the extraordinary. Bradbury's sorcerer-like skill with words brings to life a world where the fantastic and the ordinary intertwine, making this collection a must-read for fans of imaginative literature.

Reviews
Cora Buhlert · Cora Buhlert · 2020-09-07
excellent 4.00

The collection is praised for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, though some stories may feel uneven. The reviewer appreciates Bradbury's unique style and storytelling prowess.

Cora Buhlert delves into the collection with a keen eye for detail, highlighting Bradbury's ability to paint vivid scenes and evoke deep emotions. They particularly enjoy the atmospheric descriptions and the way Bradbury blends science fiction with a touch of poetry. However, they note that while the collection is strong overall, some stories may not resonate as deeply as others, making the reading experience a bit uneven. Despite this, they find the collection to be a testament to Bradbury's enduring talent and creativity.

Quick quotes

    The heat of the sun is compared to the 'sweltering dog-mad days of August'

    Bradbury's writing is a blend of science fiction and poetry

    The collection is a testament to Bradbury's enduring talent and creativity

cannonballread.com · 2019-05-14
mixed 3.50

This collection is good but not great, with many solid stories and a few standouts. It's a mixed bag that offers a variety of engaging narratives.

The reviewer from cannonballread.com presents 'The Golden Apples of the Sun' as a solid but uneven collection of Bradbury's short stories. While there are many enjoyable and well-crafted tales, the collection is seen as somewhat inconsistent, with a few standout stories that truly shine. The reviewer appreciates the variety and creativity within the book, noting that Bradbury's imaginative storytelling is on full display. However, they also point out that some stories may not resonate as deeply as others, making the overall experience a bit hit-or-miss. Despite this, the collection is still seen as a worthwhile read for fans of Bradbury and science fiction enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    It's a good, but not great collection with many solid stories, and few stars.

    Bradbury's imaginative storytelling is on full display.

    The overall experience is a bit hit-or-miss.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2013-06-19
good 3.00

The reviewer finds the collection diverse and showcases Bradbury's unique writing style. They appreciate the variety but note that some stories may feel similar.

Kara Babcock explores the diversity within Bradbury's collection, noting that while each story offers something unique, there is a consistent style that ties them together. They appreciate the range of themes and settings, from the lonely coastal lighthouse to the ominous silence of a murder scene. However, they also point out that some stories may feel repetitive, as Bradbury's signature style is evident throughout. Overall, they find the collection to be a solid representation of Bradbury's work, with a mix of standout stories and those that blend into the background.

Quick quotes

    The Golden Apples of the Sun is an old collection, older than I am

    It showcases the diversity as well as the sameness of Bradbury's writing

    Bradbury is our sure-handed guide to surprising and imaginative worlds

SF Reader · 2003-06-14
brilliant 4.50

The collection is celebrated for its masterful storytelling and imaginative spontaneity. The reviewer highlights the blend of tragedy and wisdom in Bradbury's work.

The reviewer at SF Reader praises Bradbury's ability to weave together elements of tragedy and wisdom in his stories. They find the collection to be a masterpiece of imaginative spontaneity, with each story offering a unique blend of science fiction and poetic prose. The reviewer appreciates the depth and emotional resonance of Bradbury's writing, noting that his stories are not just entertaining but also thought-provoking. They highlight the collection as a testament to Bradbury's enduring legacy and his ability to captivate readers with his unique storytelling style.

Quick quotes

    This story is a masterpiece of wistful wisdom and playful, imaginative spontaneity

    As always, Bradbury blends a tone of tragedy into this

    Bradbury's stories are not just entertaining but also thought-provoking

Appears in Lists