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The Scythe
"The Scythe" is a short story by American author Ray
Bradbury . It was originally published in the July, 1943
issue of Weird Tales . It was first collected in Bradbury's
anthology Dark Carnival and later collected in The
October Country and The Stories of Ray Bradbury .
Bradbury . It was originally published in the July, 1943
issue of Weird Tales . It was first collected in Bradbury's
anthology Dark Carnival and later collected in The
October Country and The Stories of Ray Bradbury .
47 pages, Unknown Binding
First published July 1, 1943
6 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Ray Bradbury
2,427books24.2kfollowersRay Douglas Bradbury was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, and realistic fiction.
Bradbury is best known for his novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953) and his short-story collections The Martian Chronicles (1950), The Illustrated Man (1951), and The October Country (1955). Other notable works include the coming of age novel Dandelion Wine (1957), the dark fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) and the fictionalized memoir Green Shadows, White Whale (1992). He also wrote and consulted on screenplays and television scripts, including Moby Dick and It Came from Outer Space. Many of his works were adapted into television and film productions as well as comic books. Bradbury also wrote poetry which has been published in several collections, such as They Have Not Seen the Stars (2001).
The New York Times called Bradbury "An author whose fanciful imagination, poetic prose, and mature understanding of human character have won him an international reputation" and "the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream".
Bradbury is best known for his novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953) and his short-story collections The Martian Chronicles (1950), The Illustrated Man (1951), and The October Country (1955). Other notable works include the coming of age novel Dandelion Wine (1957), the dark fantasy Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) and the fictionalized memoir Green Shadows, White Whale (1992). He also wrote and consulted on screenplays and television scripts, including Moby Dick and It Came from Outer Space. Many of his works were adapted into television and film productions as well as comic books. Bradbury also wrote poetry which has been published in several collections, such as They Have Not Seen the Stars (2001).
The New York Times called Bradbury "An author whose fanciful imagination, poetic prose, and mature understanding of human character have won him an international reputation" and "the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 18, 2021
I read this in a collection book of Ray Bradbury stories, and it was a terrifying and engaging short story. The realization of what it meant to cut the wheat was haunting, and the man's reaction when he discovers this cruel truth is just as chilling. Definitely one of Bradbury's best!
October 29, 2019
"Who wields me wields the world."
This was a great short story just in time for Halloween. Bradbury does a great job building up the story and it kept me at the edge of my seat.
This was a great short story just in time for Halloween. Bradbury does a great job building up the story and it kept me at the edge of my seat.
February 11, 2025
"WHO WIELDS ME–WIELDS THE WORLD!"
WOW! there was a pit in my stomach the entire time after the truth of his reality was revealed. someone mentioned this in a review i just read, but drew's reaction to the reveal genuinely made me want to cry. that was powerful; it's been looping in my head. 😭
i've been craving something good to read after reading and starting some mid books, and ray bradbury came in clutch once-more. i will come for the rest of ur stories, bradbury! mark my words!!!
WOW! there was a pit in my stomach the entire time after the truth of his reality was revealed. someone mentioned this in a review i just read, but drew's reaction to the reveal genuinely made me want to cry. that was powerful; it's been looping in my head. 😭
i've been craving something good to read after reading and starting some mid books, and ray bradbury came in clutch once-more. i will come for the rest of ur stories, bradbury! mark my words!!!
September 16, 2020
Goosebumps...
October 18, 2021
-They might even want to plow the whole field under!
-That's just what it needs, and start all over again with new seed
Martlac
-That's just what it needs, and start all over again with new seed
Martlac
January 21, 2024
Finally got around to reading this, here:
Fantastic atmosphere and lovey description.
Fantastic atmosphere and lovey description.
January 29, 2025
One of my favorite short stories
November 30, 2021
Atmospheric, captivating and with a twist that makes the ending all the poignant. Ray Bradbury accomplishes a better, more complete story in a handful of pages than most people accomplish in a full-length novel.
Even in just the first few paragraphs, you already get a clear view of the characters, the setting and the time. It's done with real elegance, the way a great painter can create full impressions with only a few subtle lines on canvas, but already a clear picture forms in your head of the situation. The imagery remains strong throughout, and I found that I could see the story occurring in my head as easily as if I was watching a film.
As usual, it's not just a good story - there's nuance to it, and enough emotion to connect you to the character, despite its brevity. It means that you can understand the emotions the main character goes through, especially as the urge is described so well. The ending is perfect, too, and just shocking enough to ensure you'll remember this for a while.
Even in just the first few paragraphs, you already get a clear view of the characters, the setting and the time. It's done with real elegance, the way a great painter can create full impressions with only a few subtle lines on canvas, but already a clear picture forms in your head of the situation. The imagery remains strong throughout, and I found that I could see the story occurring in my head as easily as if I was watching a film.
As usual, it's not just a good story - there's nuance to it, and enough emotion to connect you to the character, despite its brevity. It means that you can understand the emotions the main character goes through, especially as the urge is described so well. The ending is perfect, too, and just shocking enough to ensure you'll remember this for a while.
December 16, 2021
“WHO WIELDS ME—WIELDS THE WORLD!�
Huh. I’m properly taken aback with this one. I’m not sure I enjoyed myself very much, but there’s no doubt this is a chilling story with a concept that was very interesting and not at all what I was expecting. This actually scared me. I don’t think I’ve ever been scared reading a story before.
A man and his starving family discover dead wheat farmer who grasping a single blade of wheat in his hand, leaves his farm to who ever discovers him. There’s also a scythe in the corner, you’ll find out why.
Huh. I’m properly taken aback with this one. I’m not sure I enjoyed myself very much, but there’s no doubt this is a chilling story with a concept that was very interesting and not at all what I was expecting. This actually scared me. I don’t think I’ve ever been scared reading a story before.
A man and his starving family discover dead wheat farmer who grasping a single blade of wheat in his hand, leaves his farm to who ever discovers him. There’s also a scythe in the corner, you’ll find out why.
March 22, 2025
This book was cool but I feel the ending could be better ig
Sigma ahh book and it’s pretty short too so if your questioning on reading it just do it bc it only takes like 5 mins
I’ve js been reading books from this “disturbing short story iceberg� to get myself to read again and this was pretty good
Sigma ahh book and it’s pretty short too so if your questioning on reading it just do it bc it only takes like 5 mins
I’ve js been reading books from this “disturbing short story iceberg� to get myself to read again and this was pretty good
July 29, 2024
_I, John Buhr, am only the giver, not the ordainer._
Horrifying once you start imagining yourself in his place. Bradbury takes a tiny seed and gives it some water, and then its upto you how you take care of plant.
Horrifying once you start imagining yourself in his place. Bradbury takes a tiny seed and gives it some water, and then its upto you how you take care of plant.
October 14, 2024
A man with a starving family takes over an abandoned farm. There is plenty to eat and a comfortable house. He needs to thresh the wheat by the hand each day with a scythe. But every day it grows back. Great atmosphere.
January 19, 2019
Delightfully terrifying and thought-provoking - reads like a twilight zone episode that I wish had happened!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2019
Pure emotional horror about life and wheat
October 24, 2019
This story is so very, very dark but, of course, it’s well written.
February 25, 2020
It’s been almost ten years since I had this text read to me in class and I still think about it yearly. That sort of impact is hard to overlook, incredible writing and remembrance.
May 26, 2020
"Who wields me ... wields the world!"
February 22, 2021
I've spent the weekend recommending this to everyone I know because it was just so good! The ending in particular blew me away.
September 22, 2021
Interesting premise! Loved all the real-world connections.
August 24, 2022
The Scythe has an element of horror and suspense that reminds me of the classic Edgar Allan Poe tale “The Tell Tale heart.
November 15, 2022
A metaphor runs amok.
March 28, 2023
Its a chilling and engaging short story. It was haunting to read the man's reaction when he realized what the cutting of the wheat meant.
November 7, 2023
another winner. very good story. direct, to the point, doesn't arse around.
February 26, 2024
Цікава оповідь, хоча сенс її і так зрозумілий.....
November 1, 2024
A spooky and heartbreaking tale.
I enjoy when I encounter a theme that clearly fascinates Bradbury, and the scythe visual will be familiar to anyone who's read the Halloween Tree.
I enjoy when I encounter a theme that clearly fascinates Bradbury, and the scythe visual will be familiar to anyone who's read the Halloween Tree.
March 5, 2025
Readable, weird and haunting.
April 14, 2025
The true horror of this story hits you after you've finished reading it. It gets into your mind and it stays there.
I first read The Scythe as a youngster, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for a long time.
I still think about it.
Ray Bradbury was amazing. I'm so glad that I discovered his work early on in my life.
10/10
I first read The Scythe as a youngster, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for a long time.
I still think about it.
Ray Bradbury was amazing. I'm so glad that I discovered his work early on in my life.
10/10
November 14, 2015
Minor Ray Bradbury psychological horror story
Read
July 28, 2017Well that was depressing. I can't fairly rate it because I didn't enjoy it, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was bad. But just because it was "bad" doesn't mean it was exactly good, either. It's a conundrum. It was recommended while I was reading Terry Pratchett's Reaper Man, I would not recommend doing that. You go from light hearted and clever to bloody depressing and clever. Not the best 180.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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