The Last Night Of The World (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I haven't read much of anything by Ray Bradbury, but from what I've heard before and now, from reading "The Last Night of the World," I'm beginning to think I should really check him out.This short story was cute, terrifying, loving and depressing all at once. It's the story of a husband and wife on the last night of their lives — clearly, given the title — and how they approach knowing they will die that night. Most of these stories have some martyr giving an inspiring speech at the end, or sheer panic about what to do in the face of death. "The Last Night of the World" was nothing like that. It was a calm look at how families feel in the face of total annihilation, and it was actually refreshing for me to not read about some cataclysmic event.The story did cut off rather abruptly; something seemed to be missing at the end after all the talk about the world ending. The couple went to bed and we never found out what happened. But perhaps it was best left that way. Okay, here's my beef with this story. The Last Night of the World, right? Everyone in the story knows the world is going to end. The main characters, husband and wife, are no exception, and neither are their children. The way they handle the situation, it's interesting. But it needs reasoning, and what Bradbury gives, it didn't cut it for me.It's like if you start a joke, two guys walk into a bar... and you end with one guy shoots the bartender in the head. Okay, that's a spin on it. But can't you at least give me a funny reason why? Otherwise, I dunno, it's a punchline without a joke. And that's what I felt about this short story.Bradbury is great. So I wouldn't recommend this. It might taint your impression of him.
What do You think about The Last Night Of The World (2012)?
I would have rated higher, but the story finished too soon. I wanted more.
—Taylor
Amazing idea, but left me feeling somehow... shortchanged.
—42q
A quite different approach towards "the end of the world"
—jadeybabey
Prepare. Accept. Close your eyes and breathe.
—Reg
