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The Playground (1953)

by Ray Bradbury

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784340,800 (3.62)6
Fiction. Science Fiction & Fantasy. Charles Underhill, a widower, would do anything to protect his young son Jim from the horrors of the playground...a playground which he and the boy pass daily and whose tumult and activity brings back to him the anguish of his own childhood. The playground like childhood itself is a nightmare of torment and vulnerability; his sensitive son, he fears, will be destroyed there just as it almost happened to him, so many years ago. Underhill's sister, Carol - who after his wife's death has moved in to help raise the boy - feels differently: the Playground is preparation for life, Jim will survive the experience and be the better for it, more equipped to deal with the rigor and obligation of adult existence. Underhill, caught between his own fear and his sister's invocation of reason, does not know what to do. A mysterious boy in the playground calls out to him, seems to know all too well why Underhill is there, what the source of Underhill's agony really is. Also lurking is a mysterious Manager to whom this strange boy directs Underhill. An agreement can be made, perhaps, the boy says. Perhaps Jim can be spared the Playground. Of course, a substitute must be found -… (more)
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Showing 4 of 4
Well done audio edition of the Ray Bradbury short story. I wanted more background on the father -- why was he so adamant about the playground being a place where his son would be bullied? ( )
  leslie.98 | Jun 27, 2023 |
This was slow and intriguing, very short, and sort of an open ending. I like that it talks about some gender roles and expectations of growing up, and has sort of "alternatives." ( )
  Pepperwings | Nov 21, 2022 |
A bit creepy, but an interesting look at how far a parent will go to protect their child from playground bullies. Jonathan Davis was great as the narrator. ( )
  susiesharp | Jan 21, 2015 |
This very short story was apparently published originally in a magazine and along with the first edition of Fahrenheit 451, so this short Kindle edition is the first time it has appeared in a self-standing edition. This is quite a chilling piece on adults' perceptions of the dangers children experience during their hours of play and the lengths to which parents can go to protect them from these real or perceived dangers. 4/5 ( )
  john257hopper | Jan 29, 2013 |
Showing 4 of 4
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A thousand times before and after his wife's death, Mr Charles Underhill ignored the playground on his way to and from his commuters limited train.
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Fiction. Science Fiction & Fantasy. Charles Underhill, a widower, would do anything to protect his young son Jim from the horrors of the playground...a playground which he and the boy pass daily and whose tumult and activity brings back to him the anguish of his own childhood. The playground like childhood itself is a nightmare of torment and vulnerability; his sensitive son, he fears, will be destroyed there just as it almost happened to him, so many years ago. Underhill's sister, Carol - who after his wife's death has moved in to help raise the boy - feels differently: the Playground is preparation for life, Jim will survive the experience and be the better for it, more equipped to deal with the rigor and obligation of adult existence. Underhill, caught between his own fear and his sister's invocation of reason, does not know what to do. A mysterious boy in the playground calls out to him, seems to know all too well why Underhill is there, what the source of Underhill's agony really is. Also lurking is a mysterious Manager to whom this strange boy directs Underhill. An agreement can be made, perhaps, the boy says. Perhaps Jim can be spared the Playground. Of course, a substitute must be found -

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