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Time Enough at Last
This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.
26 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 1, 2019
I’m currently watching The Twilight Zone boxset that I received for Christmas, one of the standout episodes during the first season was this story.
Once I found out that it was based on a short story, I just had to read it!
The TV episode is very faithful, though I felt Burgess Meredith portrayal of Henry Bemis makes the character much more likeable.
I definitely think most can sympathise with him as all Henry wants to do is read, though work and home life constantly getting in the way!
When presented with the opportunity, fate takes a cruel twist. I’d probably start to cry too!
Once I found out that it was based on a short story, I just had to read it!
The TV episode is very faithful, though I felt Burgess Meredith portrayal of Henry Bemis makes the character much more likeable.
I definitely think most can sympathise with him as all Henry wants to do is read, though work and home life constantly getting in the way!
When presented with the opportunity, fate takes a cruel twist. I’d probably start to cry too!
June 9, 2021
Interesting story about a man who was surrounded by those who prevented him from reading books. Perhaps book lovers would relate to this story very much and would understand the pain of not being able to read.
This story is really short, give it a read!
This story is really short, give it a read!
November 2, 2016
I've never actually seen the episode of the Twilight Zone inspired by this short story, but I have seen a short video clip of the horrifying ending.
So, when I saw this on Audible Channels this morning, I figured I'd give it a try.
The tonality of the narration, combined with the sound effects and background music make it feel like a really retro radio dramatization, which fits well since the story has a slightly dated feel due to the Nuclear component. But despite the feel, it's still the full text of the story, and I believe it's a relatively recent recording.
It was a fun way to spend half an hour this morning.
So, when I saw this on Audible Channels this morning, I figured I'd give it a try.
The tonality of the narration, combined with the sound effects and background music make it feel like a really retro radio dramatization, which fits well since the story has a slightly dated feel due to the Nuclear component. But despite the feel, it's still the full text of the story, and I believe it's a relatively recent recording.
It was a fun way to spend half an hour this morning.
February 17, 2024
My all time favorite episode of the twilight zone is based on this story. It's an okay short story, but i have to say the twilight zone really elevated this simple concept into something much more gut wrenching.
August 3, 2022
Most excellent! Visit and Support your Local Library wherever you are.
April 20, 2020
Melancholic sci-fi story made famous by a fan favourite episode of The Twilight Zone.
Henry Bemis is a downtrodden drudge who only wanted to find time o read something - Shakespeare, the paper, a magazine - but between the twin demands of his boss and his wife he never could. Until that is...
Something happens and he suddenly has all the time in the world. Not that he wants to do anything heroic with his time. This passage gives you a good hint about both the event and the man himself:
'He had glanced at the headlines of the first page. "Collapse Of Conference Imminent." He didn't have time to read the article. He turned to the second page. "Solon Predicts War Only Days Away." He flipped through the pages faster, reading brief snatches here and there, afraid to spend too much time on any one item. On a back page was a brief article entitled, "Prehistoric Artifacts Unearthed In Yucatan". Henry smiled to himself and carefully folded the sheet of paper into fourths. That would be interesting, he would read all of it.'
That aforementioned episode of The Twilight Zone cast Burgess Meredith in the lead role, an excellent choice for a meek and modest chap, though he could also flip that around and play the pugnacious little man.
A classic story and a classic show.
Henry Bemis is a downtrodden drudge who only wanted to find time o read something - Shakespeare, the paper, a magazine - but between the twin demands of his boss and his wife he never could. Until that is...
Something happens and he suddenly has all the time in the world. Not that he wants to do anything heroic with his time. This passage gives you a good hint about both the event and the man himself:
'He had glanced at the headlines of the first page. "Collapse Of Conference Imminent." He didn't have time to read the article. He turned to the second page. "Solon Predicts War Only Days Away." He flipped through the pages faster, reading brief snatches here and there, afraid to spend too much time on any one item. On a back page was a brief article entitled, "Prehistoric Artifacts Unearthed In Yucatan". Henry smiled to himself and carefully folded the sheet of paper into fourths. That would be interesting, he would read all of it.'
That aforementioned episode of The Twilight Zone cast Burgess Meredith in the lead role, an excellent choice for a meek and modest chap, though he could also flip that around and play the pugnacious little man.
A classic story and a classic show.
April 25, 2019
“For a long time, Henry Bemis had had an ambition. To read a book.”
Henry wants nothing more than to set aside a bit of time to read a book when something happens to the world. Will he finally have the chance to settle into a good book?
I find this story highly relatable. With my university studies, I can hardly find the time for a casual read, and I dare say, if a lack of time is not a universal problem with any dedicated person in full-time employment or education, I do not know what is.
This story is quite the melancholy read. While the world around Henry is not functioning, he treats it like a child would a rainy day. He is quite the kind bloke, though he is the everyday businessman, and I think that adds to his character. He has put plenty of effort into getting himself where he is now, hardly finding the time for selfish luxuries.
I rather enjoy the subtlety in which the writer handles the “changes” to the world. It is dismal, but our protagonist seems to shrug it all off, which complements the final few beautiful and devastating lines.
I’d highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys reading, and this review happens to be on a site brimming with passionate readers.
Henry wants nothing more than to set aside a bit of time to read a book when something happens to the world. Will he finally have the chance to settle into a good book?
I find this story highly relatable. With my university studies, I can hardly find the time for a casual read, and I dare say, if a lack of time is not a universal problem with any dedicated person in full-time employment or education, I do not know what is.
This story is quite the melancholy read. While the world around Henry is not functioning, he treats it like a child would a rainy day. He is quite the kind bloke, though he is the everyday businessman, and I think that adds to his character. He has put plenty of effort into getting himself where he is now, hardly finding the time for selfish luxuries.
I rather enjoy the subtlety in which the writer handles the “changes” to the world. It is dismal, but our protagonist seems to shrug it all off, which complements the final few beautiful and devastating lines.
I’d highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys reading, and this review happens to be on a site brimming with passionate readers.
April 27, 2024
A venerable Venable classic.
July 22, 2019
Tenía pendiente este relato corto (¡cortísimo!) desde que vi en septiembre de 2018 el episodio del mismo nombre creado por Rod Serling en 1959 para la primera temporada de The Twilight Zone. El episodio me encantó, por el desarrollo del personaje, por el sonido, por la fotografía, y sobre todo por el final. Por ese análisis de las prioridades de las personas; por ese vacío existencial. Quizá exagero, pero es precisamente el tipo de historia que me deja pensando "¿Y ahora qué? ¿Cómo podrá sobrevivir el señor Bemis?", y eso me encanta.
Ahora bien, habiendo visto el episodio, el relato de Lyn Venable pierde toda su fuerza. No porque esté mal escrito (que no lo está) ni porque sea breve, sino porque ya conocía el final. En cualquier caso, me ha permitido revivir el episodio que vi hace casi un año, y vale la pena.
Sinceramente, si tuviera que recomendar qué ver/leer primero, el relato o el episodio de Serling, no sabría qué decir. Es una historia muy muy bonita. Personalmente prefiero leer antes de ver la serie o película, de modo que esa sería mi recomendación... Pero el episodio de Serling vale muchísimo la pena.
Ahora bien, habiendo visto el episodio, el relato de Lyn Venable pierde toda su fuerza. No porque esté mal escrito (que no lo está) ni porque sea breve, sino porque ya conocía el final. En cualquier caso, me ha permitido revivir el episodio que vi hace casi un año, y vale la pena.
Sinceramente, si tuviera que recomendar qué ver/leer primero, el relato o el episodio de Serling, no sabría qué decir. Es una historia muy muy bonita. Personalmente prefiero leer antes de ver la serie o película, de modo que esa sería mi recomendación... Pero el episodio de Serling vale muchísimo la pena.
March 14, 2012
No way, there's a book of this? I saw that episode of The Twilight Zone when I was a kid, and I swear it traumatized me more than anything else I've seen or read since.
UPDATE: It's free on Kindle, acquired!
UPDATE: It's free on Kindle, acquired!
June 30, 2025
Time Enough at Last is one of those stories I stumbled into sideways—revisiting my favorite episode of The Twilight Zone late one night when I couldn’t sleep. I’d always loved that episode but never realized it was based on a short story.
To my surprise, the original story by Lyn Venable was published in Worlds of IF, a classic sci-fi magazine. I found a scan of it on archive.org and was delighted. (There was also a great story in the same issue by Walter M. Miller Jr., but I digress.)
The story itself is incredibly short—maybe even shorter than the Twilight Zone adaptation—and yet it captures the same haunting irony. That said, it left me wanting more. I could have happily read a full novella about this character.
How did he become the man we meet at the start? Why does he prefer books so much more than people? When his wife presumably perishes in the bomb blast, he doesn’t seem all that broken up about it—more relieved not to have to play cards with the neighbors anymore. There’s a deep loneliness here that’s both sad and oddly peaceful.
If you're a fan of classic sci-fi, dystopian parables, or just love the quiet devastation of a good twist ending, this one’s worth tracking down.
July 3, 2020
It's almost impossible to read this story without making comparisons to the Twilight Zone episode of the same name, which has undoubtedly overshadowed the story's legacy. There are some notable differences. Here the story begins right at the nuclear explosion, and the bulk of the story is told through flashbacks, whereas in the TZ episode everything is fleshed out into full scenes and told chronologically. In a way this almost feels like the blueprints for the episode. I must admit I do prefer the TZ version (perhaps I'm a bit biased because I've seen the episode countless times). Nevertheless, I think this is a wonderful short story, and it's easy to see why Serling chose to adapt it.
There are some lovely lines in here, such as this: "all the noise in the world crashed in upon his eardrums." I also love the description of Henry's joy upon discovering the collection of abandoned library books: "He had been conducting himself a little like a starving man in a delicatessen - grabbing a little of this and a little of that in a frenzy of enjoyment." There's also some great foreshadowing towards the inevitable conclusion, which is just as devastating to read about as it is to watch.
Overall I would highly recommend this story, especially if you're a fan of the Twilight Zone.
There are some lovely lines in here, such as this: "all the noise in the world crashed in upon his eardrums." I also love the description of Henry's joy upon discovering the collection of abandoned library books: "He had been conducting himself a little like a starving man in a delicatessen - grabbing a little of this and a little of that in a frenzy of enjoyment." There's also some great foreshadowing towards the inevitable conclusion, which is just as devastating to read about as it is to watch.
Overall I would highly recommend this story, especially if you're a fan of the Twilight Zone.
April 23, 2020
Being overwhelmed with common obligations, such as a mortgage, car payments, and bills, Henry finds he never has time to fulfill his longing to read. Everyday he’s tempted by a delivered newspaper which his nagging, condescending wife snatches up to check the tv schedule.
It took a near complete wartime destruction of the city for Henry to finally find himself standing in front of the “Publ Libr”. Clearly he was more excited about the books than wandering about the city. I feel his sobbing was because he could finally read as much as he wanted, even if he died doing it. The whole story was about reading, not bombings so I don’t see how some feel he was crying because of war. I’ve cried tears of joy, happiness, sadness, horror, etc. through many books and I suspect any avid reader has too. My fellow book lovers would adore and relate to this short story.
One last thought; nobody lays on their death bed wishing they’d worked more. It’s not hard to imagine people like Henry whispering, “I wish I’d read more books” in his last breath.
Final sentence:
He stared down at the blurred page before him. He began to cry.”
It took a near complete wartime destruction of the city for Henry to finally find himself standing in front of the “Publ Libr”. Clearly he was more excited about the books than wandering about the city. I feel his sobbing was because he could finally read as much as he wanted, even if he died doing it. The whole story was about reading, not bombings so I don’t see how some feel he was crying because of war. I’ve cried tears of joy, happiness, sadness, horror, etc. through many books and I suspect any avid reader has too. My fellow book lovers would adore and relate to this short story.
One last thought; nobody lays on their death bed wishing they’d worked more. It’s not hard to imagine people like Henry whispering, “I wish I’d read more books” in his last breath.
Final sentence:
He stared down at the blurred page before him. He began to cry.”
April 18, 2023
This is one of those cases where the filmed version is better than the book. While I appreciate this for being the origin, the Twilight Zone episode made from it is one of my favorites of that series, because of all the extra things added to it, that weren't in the book. The scenes with Burgess Meredith trying to read Dickens behind his teller window at the bank, hiding reading material so that his wife won't destroy it, or the way he finds the library at the last minute when he's all alone and ready to give up, are priceless additions the tv show added to this simple story.
November 11, 2022
Didn't realize my favorite Twilight Zone episode was based on this short story. Definitely an interesting read. (especially seeing the influence of the cold War. It's something I tend to forget was such a big deal at the time. )
Also, this story (or rather the episode based on it) is the reason I always make sure to have a spare pair of glasses. I literally had nightmares for weeks that this would happen.
Also, this story (or rather the episode based on it) is the reason I always make sure to have a spare pair of glasses. I literally had nightmares for weeks that this would happen.
February 5, 2017
Story that was the basis for a Twilight Zone episodel
Very short tale about a man who loves to read great literature. If the title sounds familiar you are aright. It's the story about the character Burgess Meridith portrayed in that memorable yet tragic Twilight Zone episode. I didn't know this was an adaptation of this story until I read it!
Very short tale about a man who loves to read great literature. If the title sounds familiar you are aright. It's the story about the character Burgess Meridith portrayed in that memorable yet tragic Twilight Zone episode. I didn't know this was an adaptation of this story until I read it!
January 5, 2020
A simple tale of Cold War horror (1953). The desire for a private appreciation of civilisation and for freedom from the time pressures of conformity and from the need to earn a living is given hope by the apocalypse only for it to be dashed at the last moment as the only tool that permits it is destroyed.
May 2, 2024
I can understand how this would have been a mind-boggling story back in 1953, but it didn't capture me the way I expected. Maybe it's because I've already watched the Twilight Zone episode and already knew the plot twist, but despite being so short, I found it to be a little slow. I can certainly appreciate the writing, irrespective of my preconceived notions.
April 1, 2018
'Alternate Reality' Audible Channel version:
A short 30 minutes audio narration. It seems the main character is obsessed with the idea of his wife somehow ruining his only moments of enjoyment, yet he uses his free time thinking about that.
A short 30 minutes audio narration. It seems the main character is obsessed with the idea of his wife somehow ruining his only moments of enjoyment, yet he uses his free time thinking about that.
February 7, 2022
I swear I've heard another variation of this story, or a story with a similar twist ending. But this was a fun little story that you can hear in a couple weeks on the AIC Stories Podcast over at aicstories.com!
April 13, 2023
The story that was the basis for a classic Twilight Zone episode.
The writing is vivid and you feel for the poor little man who just wants to read. As a fellow myopic booklover, I really empathize.
Plus there’s an O’Henry-worthy twist at the end.
The writing is vivid and you feel for the poor little man who just wants to read. As a fellow myopic booklover, I really empathize.
Plus there’s an O’Henry-worthy twist at the end.
January 26, 2024
“The best-laid plans of mice and men...and Henry Bemis, the small man in the glasses who wanted nothing but time. Henry Bemis, now just a part of a smashed landscape, just a piece of the rubble, just a fragment of what man has deeded to himself. Mr. Henry Bemis, in the Twilight Zone.”
November 13, 2018
Nice short story captured nicely in the episode of The Twilight Zone. Pacing is good and well constructed. Leave a lasting impression.
January 4, 2020
If you're an avid reader, the story will gonna stay with you till the last breath, a promise.
January 7, 2021
Decent story, albeit short.
June 16, 2021
A masterpiece with a perfect ending. I'm absolutely in love with this short story.
October 14, 2021
One of my favorite Twilight Zone episode is based on this short story so of course I had to read the book 🙂
October 7, 2022
SO FUNNY
October 17, 2022
Great little story about a man who only wants to be able to read books in peace. Interesting ending
May 31, 2023
The Twilight Zone episode doesn't do it justice
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews