Introduction
We here at SciFi Pulse wish our readers a Happy Halloween. This year’s treat is a retro future tale from Ray Bradbury.
Synopsis
“Pillar of Fire” was first published in the Summer 1948 issue of Planet Stories. It’s central character is a revenant named William Lantry.
Having died in 1933, Lantry rises from his grave in 2349. Fueled by hate, he confronts a society wholly unprepared for him, or so he thinks.
Commentary
I absolutely love this story. Bradbury unabashedly celebrates Halloween with every word. The entire text is an homage to gothic literature.
Along the way, Bradbury writes on behalf of art and imagination. He also embraces the internal logic of his own unmistakable universe.
The result is darkly tragicomic and absolutely perfect. Enjoy!
The embedded reading of this classic below is courtesy of the Calm Echoes YouTube channel.
