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The Playground: A Short Story

  • Based on 327 reviews
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Description

From the iconic science fiction author of Fahrenheit 451, a chilling dystopian short story that became a classic episode of TV’s Ray Bradbury Theater. The Playground, first published in the hardcover edition of Bradbury’s legendary work Fahrenheit 451, tells the story of Charles Underhill, a widower who must protect his young son, Jim, from the horrors of the playground. Passing the playground on their daily walk brings Charles back the anguish of his own childhood—a nightmare of vulnerability and suffering. He will do anything to spare his sensitive son from the same torment. Charles’s sister, Carol, who has moved in to help raise the young boy, feels differently. The playground, she believes, is preparation for life, and Jim will be more equipped to deal with the rigor and obligation of adult existence by facing it. Paralyzed by his own fear and his sister’s invocation of reason, Charles learns of a way that Jim can be spared the playground. But it will come at a great cost . . . perhaps more than he can pay. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ RosettaBooks (January 21, 2002)


Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 21, 2002


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB


Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Tuesday, Jun 24

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • The best gangster novel that I've read in a very long time.
This novel took me on an incredible journey and I never knew that it was possible for a writer to be so knowledgeable in as many areas as Carmichael Wolfe is. I mean there's everything from domestic terrorists to an unknown phenomena that's taking place in the Dominican Republic. This book should definitely be made into a movie because it tells an incredible and never before told story about the mean streets of Los Angeles. And wait until you find out what Lady B and Lucifer's collective secret is. It will blow your socks off and especially when you find out that it's based in reality. Plus the TOGTGO (The Organization of Gangsters Thieves and Government Officials) has a secret of its own and you will be left speechless once you read this book in its entirety because there's a prophecy that relates to the 44th President of the United States of America and there's also an important message for young people that are contemplating a life of crime and this is the only book that I know of that tells the unabridged truth about the gangster world and this is why I recommend The Playground to everyone that's interested in knowing the truth. There's a message to law enforcement that will help them combat terrorism and that will make us Americans safe. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2011 by Nathaniel Armstrong Jr.
    • Just really good writing.
I really enjoyed this short story. The language of another era may put some readers off, but being a old bear myself I have no problem with it. I saw the end coming but I usually do. It was original and thoughtful. Try it you may like it but you will gain from it in any case. It has Ray Bradbury's name on it. Thats enough to make it worth a little of your time. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2012 by Amazon Customer
    • Ummm…
Possible Spoiler. * * * * * This was your typical deal with the devil story. Basically, Charlie is a helicopter parent and wants to protect his son from everything possible. He wants him to stay young, innocent, and sheltered. Charlie has his own trauma to deal with that he is basically projecting onto the world around him. I know this was a short story, but I needed more to really make the terror real. I would recommend, but it’s not for me. Maybe someone else will like it better. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024 by Shernina B
    • stay behind the line!
The story is great, that's perfectly known, just like the storytellers` talent of RB. My pleasure was to read it in the last days of his being near all of us on this planet, before his departure to Venus (actually, one of the most beutiful coincedences I've known about). That's hard to speak about this story without touching plot details and thus spoiling. I'd just say it's perfect road to the child fears of everyone. The door is always the same, some might be afraid of this, another - of that, not necessary playground is the thing, but these unpleasant moments, or, say, moments of terror (it depends) are hiding somewhere inside waiting for you to release ones some day. This book will turn you face to face with your personal child experience, just like with your flashbacks of your old good fears in your today when you're adult. reading it, you should be a bit scary, a bit fun, a bit closed to those around, a bit child and a bit - believer. Anyways, most likely you'll be greatefull reader. Hope so. `Cos I am. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2012 by Andriy Derevenko
    • This was how Ray Bradbury did horror.
The element of this story that makes it most scary is that it centers around a conceptually ordinary event—a dad taking his young son to the neighborhood playground. But then it twists into something bleak and dark, not by the introduction of a vampire or werewolf, but by an unexpected answer to a basic question of parenting: what would you do to keep your child safe? ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024 by William Merrill
    • Beautifully written and quite disturbing
I will admit up front, that I am a serious Bradbury fan. This short story did not disappoint, and I find myself again in awe at Bradbury's ability to create a mood without any overt language doing so. The whole story put me on edge and I found it to be thought-provoking and quite sad. I don't want to give away any part of the story, as the discovery is part of what makes it so disturbing, but if you enjoy Bradbury, good writing, mysterious characters and situations, and can appreciate seeing everyday things from a very different perspective, than I highly recommend it! It's a good read for a tiny price! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2012 by Sambone

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