Winner of the Time-Honored Category
Author: Ray Bradbury and Jason J. Marchi
Publisher: Fahrenheit Books
Ray Bradbury is classic.
Jason J. Marchi is ingenious.
Together, they’re genius.
In 1954, Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine published Bradbury’s poignant short story “All Summer in a Day.” It has since graced over seventy -five anthologies.
The story centers around nine-year-old Margot, who, along with her family, has moved to perpetually rainy Venus. Here the rain only completely ceases once every seven years, and our protagonist hasn’t seen the sun since she left Earth five years ago.
But Joy! Today, the glorious sun is scheduled to make an appearance. Unfortunately, Margot’s classmates, who have never seen the sun themselves, are jealous and a bit doubtful of her sunlight days and lock her in her a closet. Margot is all but forgotten as they frolic in the golden sun.
When the rains return, Margot’s classmates are stricken by what they have done and shamefully let her out of the closet to wait seven more years before the sun returns.
This is where Bradbury’s story ends, leaving readers to ponder the fate of Margot.
Until now.
Marchi not only wondered but, with Bradbury’s blessing, wrote the sequel. If Bradbury were to trust anyone with one of his stories, it would be Marchi. Their 25-year long friendship was full of lively discussions about inspiration and writing.
In “When the Rain Stops,” Margot is sent briefly back to Earth to recover from her trauma.
As a farewell gift, her doctor gives her a book. The book itself is of little importance, but rather its cover features a picture of the sun. Back on Venus, it is a reminder that the sun does in fact exist and not a fantasy that Margot conjured to deal with the eternal gloom. Furthermore, the book gives her hope. Hope that she may one day return home. When that time comes, we know Margot is healed because she is able to pass this hope on.
Venus Remembered is a step back in time with a leap forward. It is destined to become a creative classic.
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