Tony's Review of All Summer in a Day

All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury is a short but powerful piece of science fiction about childhood, jealousy, cruelty, and regret. Like much of Bradbury's best work, the science fiction setting is important, but the story is ultimately about human nature.

The story takes place on Venus, where it rains constantly and the sun appears for only a brief time every seven years. We obviously know today that Venus is nothing like this, but at the time the story was written, much about the planet remained unknown. Still, this does not gut the story, and it maintains its power because it is about people more than the setting.

What makes the story work so well is how believable the children are. Bradbury does not soften childhood cruelty. Margot is different, and that alone is enough for the other children to turn against her. Their jealousy eventually leads them to do something terrible, locking her away just before the sun appears.

It is what happens afterward that gives the story its emotional weight. The children remember Margot. There is no great speech or dramatic punishment. They simply understand what they have done. Bradbury allows that realization to hang over the ending, and it is far more effective because of it.

A beautiful and sad piece of science fiction that reminds us regret often comes only after the moment to do the right thing has passed.