Silver Water

Silver Water: Short story by Amy BloomAmy Bloom’s deeply moving Silver Water examines an often-overlooked aspect of mental illness: its impact on the sufferer’s family. Throughout the story, a girl’s parents (Galen and David) and their “warrior queen” daughters struggle to navigate their way through inadequate medical insurance and support systems. In the process, they demonstrate what family love is all about. There is considerable irony in the fact that David (a psychiatrist!) not only failed to diagnose his daughter’s condition, but also has the most difficulty coping with her at home. Themes: mental illness, family love, death as a relief.

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A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story: Short story by Walter Dean MyersIn this Christmas story from Walter Dean Myers, a shrewd old woman teaches a new police patrolman an important lesson by inviting his family to Christmas dinner. Along with his co-workers, the policeman has a negative view of Harlem (the poor, often violent African American neighborhood in which he works) and doesn’t think it a fit place for a family visit. His wife insists on going, and the visit reveals another side of the community… “regular” churchgoing families exchanging Christmas greetings on the street and celebrating the holiday together. Themes: Christmas, community, prejudice, understanding, aging gracefully, caring, sharing.

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The First Year of My Life

The First Year of My Life: Short story by Muriel SparkThe protagonist of this light-hearted anti-war story by Muriel Spark is an omniscient baby who can “tune in” to world events and the thoughts of famous people from her crib. Born in the final year of World War I, she contrasts the bloody battlefields of Europe with the almost business as usual atmosphere in London. She also shares her observations of selected world leaders, politicians, literary figures and celebrities. Themes: the horrors and futility of war; the British public’s ignorance of the true extent of human suffering; the lack of moral leadership from influential members of the artistic community.

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How Sweet It Is to Die in the Sea

How Sweet It Is to Die in the Sea: Short story by José Eduardo AgualusaIn this entertaining story by José Eduardo Agualusa, a successful novelist’s marriage falls apart when he takes to drink after his latest book is panned by a literary critic. He makes ends meet by becoming a critic himself, and takes delight in panning a novel by the critic who panned his. He starts a new life and, when a “friend” kills the critic, his second wife, and her two lovers, secures a rich inheritance and is provided with a good plot for a new book. Themes include writing and literary criticism, alcohol abuse, despair, betrayal, renewal.

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Three Skeleton Key

Three Skeleton Key: Short story by George ToudouzeLast year we featured Leiningen Versus the Ants, a story in which 400 men try to fight off an army of killer ants. In today’s tale by George Toudouze, three men are trapped inside an isolated lighthouse, surrounded by a horde of starving rats. One of the men is prone to panic and loses his mind when the rats break in to the lower part of the tower. The other two remain calm and, although a serious breach of duty, agree on a desperate course of action that saves the day. Themes: man vs. nature, fear, calmness under pressure.

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Clean Sweep Ignatius

Clean Sweep Ignatius: Short story by Jeffrey ArcherJeffrey Archer has come up with an almost unimaginable scenario. Nigeria has a new Finance Minister, Ignatius Agarbi, who decides to clean up his country’s reputation for corruption! He does such a good job, without so much as a breath of scandal, that the country’s President commissions him to find out the names of all ministers and government officials with money hidden away in secret Swiss bank accounts. Diligent as always, Ignatius devises a seemingly foolproof plan to find out just how serious Swiss banks are in maintaining their code of privacy. Themes: corruption, creativity, honor.

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The Kugelmass Episode

The Kugelmass Episode: Short story by Woody AllenThis Woody Allen story includes elements of fantasy, science fiction and farce. Kugelmass, bored with his “oafish” wife, wants a lustful extra-marital affair with no commitments either way. His wish seemingly comes true when a failed magician offers him a chance to seduce any woman from world literature. His first choice begins well, but ends badly; his second proves disastrous. The story is a cutting satire of America’s 1970s ‘Me’ culture. Themes include psychological well-being, marital relationships and casual sex. Ironically, instead of “having” the affair he wanted, Kugelmass spends the rest of eternity running from hairy, long-legged Spanish “haves”.

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Saboteur

Saboteur: Short story by Ha Jin (aka Jin Xuefei)This story from Ha Jin begins with what appears to be a simple shakedown attempt by two corrupt Chinese policemen. The victim, who should have known better, attracts the attention of onlookers (who do nothing), resists arrest (a bad move) and challenges their station officer’s authority (bringing a weekend locked up in miserable conditions). When forced to “confess”, he faces loss of his reputation, job and wife. On release, he morphs from victim to villain. The original trumped-up charge was sabotage; his act of revenge is more like biological terrorism! Themes: police brutality and abuse of power, injustice, capitulation, revenge.

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