The Rats in the Walls

Post category:Novelettes

The Rats in the Walls: Short story by H. P. Lovecraft In this story by H. P. Lovecraft, the sound of a swarm of rats in the walls of his recently restored family castle causes the last of a long line of British aristocrats to lead a group of scientists to explore its long-sealed lower chambers. There they find a hidden city and evidence spanning many millennia of the capture and farming of human and quadrupedal sub-human beings for sacrifice and consumption. The excitement is too much for the owner, who quickly reverts to his old family ways. Themes include heritage and identity, genetic madness, paganism, human sacrifice.

Testimony of Pilot

Post category:Novelettes

Testimony of Pilot: Novelette by Barry Hannah This powerful story by Barry Hannah follows the journey of a boy and several companions from youthful pranks to high school band competitions, musical success, fulfilling careers and, in two cases, premature death. Set between the mid-1950s and the late-1960s, the story highlights several aspects of the American South’s small-town culture of the day: family wholesomeness, racial segregation, the sexual revolution, the rise of rock and roll, and the Vietnam War. Themes include the transformative power of music, friendship and rivalry, sexuality, gender roles, misogyny, racism, isolation, patriotism, and social change.

Flying Home

Post category:Novelettes

Flying-Home: Short story by Ralph Ellison In this story by Ralph Ellison a young, idealistic black man survives when his plane crashes into a field while training to become an air-force pilot. He has been obsessed with flying since a child, and believes that as a pilot he can dispel common stereotypes about the intelligence and capability of African-Americans. Ironically, although he is angry about the condescending way the air force’s white training officers treat him, he also demonstrates a condescending attitude towards the old black farm hand comforting him while awaiting help. Themes include childhood dreams, racism, injustice, ambition/search for identity, failure, shame, humiliation, anger.

Meneseteung

Post category:Novelettes

Meneseteung: Short story by Alice Munro In this story by Alice Munro, an unreliable narrator purports to describe the adult life of a woman whose family moved to the wilds of Canada West (modern day Ontario) in 1854. Alone in the world following the death of her father, she publishes a book of poems and initially lives an ordered, contented life. One morning a traumatic discovery introduces her to the dark side of humanity and drives her into isolation and madness. Themes include gender roles in the 19th century Canadian West, art and the artist, alienation, loneliness, gossip, violence.

Double Birthday

Post category:Novelettes

Double Birthday: Short story by Willa Cather The major theme of this story from Willa Cather is daring to be different. The protagonist and his aging uncle have the same birthday. Both have suffered major losses: the protagonist, his share of his father’s fortune, frittered away on travel and entertainment; the uncle, a young musical protégée he undoubtedly loved. They share a house, living in the past among sentimental relics and resisting cultural aspects of “modern” (1920s) America. An unexpected visitor on their mutual birthday signals that things may soon change for the better. Themes include nonconformity, cultural dissent, judgmentalism, the price of “success”, and revitalization.

Philomel Cottage

Post category:Novelettes

Philomel Cottage: Short story by Agatha Christie This romantic story with a deadly twist is one of Agatha Christie’s lesser-known tales. Shortly after newly-weds Alix and Gerald move into secluded Philomel Cottage, Alix hears some disturbing news from the gardener. Gerald’s angry reaction when she asks him about it makes her realize how little she really knows about him. She sets out to fill in the gaps and discovers a trail of bigamy, swindling, murder, and escape form prison. Sensing danger, some quick thinking and a terrible-tasting new brand of coffee save her life. Themes include love and romance, manipulation, isolation, innocence, curiosity, fear, and the supernatural.

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz

Post category:Novelettes

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz: Short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald This grim fantasy by F. Scott Fitzgerald satirises America’s mega-rich and, in a broader sense, the “American Dream” in which for some the pursuit of wealth becomes the most important goal in life. A school “friend” invites a young man to holiday at his luxurious family home deep in the Montana Mountains. The narcissistic family’s wealth comes from a secret diamond mine, which is so rich that strangers who enter their hidden valley are never allowed to leave. Themes include the potential corrupting power of great wealth, middle-class preoccupation with wealth, racism, restricted freedom (slavery, imprisonment and/or death), isolationism, escape.

Noise Level

Post category:Novelettes

Noise Level: Short story by Raymond F. Jones The major theme of this Science Fiction mystery by Raymond F. Jones is unlocking the hidden potential of the human mind. A government research laboratory gathers America’s leading scientists to replicate an “antigravity belt” that seemingly defies the fundamental laws of physics. The secretive young inventor died in an accident demonstrating the belt. He left no notes, and the only prototype was destroyed in the crash. To complicate matters his areas of research included not only the sciences, but also the occult with a special interest in levitation. Other themes: scientific dogmatism vs. open-mindedness, the scientific method, deception.