Featured Stories

The Gentleman from San Francisco

The Gentleman from San Francisco: Short story by Ivan BuninIn this story by Ivan Bunin an overweight, fifty-eight-year-old industrialist who had grown rich off the sweat of Chinese immigrants treats himself and his family to a two-year trip around the world. He only makes it as far as Capri, where he dies of a heart attack. The story is a biting satire of the opulent lifestyles and arrogance of the mega-rich, living in their ivory towers indifferent to the “lesser” people who toil to make their lifestyles possible. Themes include greed, social class, vanity, superficiality, moral decay, self-aggrandizement vs. spiritual enlightenment, death as a leveler.

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A Choice of Butchers

A Choice of Butchers: Short story by William TrevorIn this confronting story from William Trevor, a seven-year-old boy is faced with several issues he is far too young to understand: a hard-drinking, overbearing father he catches passionately embracing their maid; a monetary gift and unexpected good-night kiss from their soft-spoken, empathetic lodger; and a perpetually tired, unaffectionate mother who appears to passively accept her lot. Add to this that he is an “afterthought child” with both parents in their fifties and the question of why a butcher’s family would need a maid, and the story becomes an amateur psychological sleuth’s dream with some serious unstated themes.

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Momotarō

Momotarō: Japanese folktale from Yei Theodora OzakiIn this famous Japanese folktale, a childless couple’s prayers are answered when a giant peach splits open to reveal a baby boy. The boy grows up to be the strongest and wisest lad in the land and, at fifteen, decides to give his poor parents an easier life by traveling to an island off the Northeast coast of Japan, destroying a band of cannibalistic demons that are terrorizing the land, and bringing back their treasure. Along the way he gathers troupe of anthropomorphic animal friends who, in predictable folktale form, help him easily win the day.

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A Mystery of Heroism

A Mystery of Heroism: Short story by Stephen CraneAs the title suggests, this story from Stephen Crane explores the concept of what makes a “hero”. In trying to answer the question, the story considers issues such as recklessness vs. bravery and the danger of bravado. It also touches on perspectives of heroism. To an injured officer, the protagonist is a hero; to his fellow soldiers, he is an impetuous fool. The irony of a dropped bucket at the end of the story suggests that many acts of heroism in wartime are wasted, having no impact on the outcome. Themes: war, duty, death, bravado, pride, heroism.

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Dharma

Dharma: Short story by Vikram ChandraThis story from Vikram Chandra focuses on the life of career soldier Jago Antia. In a twist on the ghost story genre, most of the action occurs in a house haunted not by the ghost of a dead inhabitant, but the “lost” spirit of Jago’s youth. A question raised by the story is Which of the many meanings of the word “dharma” does the title refer to? Superficially, it reflects Jago’s distinguished career (duty). On a deeper level, it represents the self-awareness (freedom) provided by confronting his personal ghost. Themes: modern vs. traditional beliefs, duty, self-discipline, courage, the supernatural, dharma.

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The Imitation of the Rose

The Imitation of the Rose: Short story by Clarice LispectorIf you are looking for a light read, this story by Clarice Lispector is not for you! The protagonist (Laura) has just come home from hospital following a nervous breakdown. Her husband has expectations about a having a “normal” night out together with friends. The story has little more by way of plot, taking place mostly in Laura’s mind. The main themes are mental health, gender identity and family roles. By nature a submissive and withdrawn person, Laura is successfully adjusting to life back at home. Unfortunately, deciding on what to do with a bunch of roses rekindles her anxiety.

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Town and Country Lovers

Town and Country Lovers: Short story by Nadine GordimerAlthough the South African law banning sexual intercourse between “whites” and “non-whites” was repealed in 1985 (five years after Nadine Gordimer wrote this story), inter-racial and inter-religious relationships are still frowned upon in some cultures. Moreover, as in the story, the consequences for women are often much more severe than for men. Despite the obvious affection between the two couples in the story, questions arise as to whether for the men the sex was a function of convenience rather than love, and the extent to which the women initially felt pressured into participating. Themes: forbidden love, sexual coercion, unequal consequences.

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Two Dollars

Two Dollars: Short story by Sharona VedolThe major themes of this Sharona Vedol story from Spider Magazine are compassion and generosity. Set during the Great Depression, a young girl accompanies her father to collect rent from families in their apartment blocks. She sees first-hand the hardship being experienced by tenants, and is impressed by the respect and understanding her father shows for each family. She is shocked when they come to a family who have no money left over for food, and worries her father will be angry about something she buys with the two dollars he gives her to buy them groceries.

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