Featured Stories

The Garden of Forking Paths

The Garden of Forking Paths: Short story by Jorge BorgesThe themes of this story from Jorge Borges are order vs. disorder, time, and sacrifice. An ancient Chinese scholar gave up everything to write a book and create a labyrinth. No one could understand the book or find the labyrinth until a modern day sinologist solved the mystery. The book is the labyrinth; it argues that time is not linear, but a starting point for an infinite number of paths. A descendant of the scholar murders the sinologist. This has nothing to do with the book, but rather a cause he doesn’t believe in.

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The Flying Machine

The Flying Machine: Short story by Ray BradburyIn this story by Ray Bradbury, a Chinese Emperor learns that one of his subjects has invented a “flying machine”. Thinking that the invention could be used against him if the “technology” fell into the wrong hands, he has the man executed, the kite destroyed, and the whole episode hushed up. Written shortly after the end of World War II, by which time the Soviets had already replicated America’s atomic bomb, the story could be considered a parable warning of the risk of developing weapons of mass destruction. Themes include the potential danger of technology, fear of progress, shortsightedness, selfishness/control.

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In Another Country

In Another Country: Short story by Ernest HemingwaySet during World War 1, the major theme of his story by Ernest Hemingway is courage: courage to face an enemy in war, and courage to try to rebuild one’s life after being badly injured or suffering a major setback. A wounded American, thought to be Hemingway’s alter ego Nick Adams, visits a Milan hospital every day for exercises to rehabilitate a wounded knee. He shares his fears about returning to the front, and his relationship and experiences with five Italian soldiers undergoing treatment. Other themes: dealing with disability and loss, fear of death, camaraderie, dignity vs. bravado, alienation, loneliness.

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Solitude

Solitude: Short story by Miguel De UnamunoThis story by Miguel De Unamuno should not be confused with his soliloquy of the same name by a man who chooses solitude. Predicting what her baby daughter’s future will hold, the dying wish of a woman married to a selfish, uncaring man is that she be named Solitude. After a failed love affair and the death of her father, the girl lives up to her name. When questioned years later, she has some interesting observations on men (Poor little fellows!) and erotica. Themes include isolation and loneliness, bullying, unrequited love, contentment in solitude.

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In the Zoo

In the Zoo: Novelette by Jean StaffordIn this story by Jean Stafford, a sorry-looking blind polar bear in a Denver zoo reminds adult sisters of a gentle alcoholic ne’er-do-well who befriended them during their traumatic childhood. As eight and ten year-old orphans, the two were fostered out to “Gran”, a possessive, unloving, scornful woman who runs a boarding house. Academically backward and teased at school, they find comfort in their friendship with a kindly Irishman and a puppy he gives them. That is until Gran converts the loveable pup into a ferocious attack dog. Themes include arranged psychological trauma, isolation, confinement and control, companionship and love.

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Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You, My Lad

Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You, My Lad: Short story by M. R. JamesIn this story by M. R. James, a colleague asks a young university professor to scope out some monastic ruins for a possible archaeological dig while away on a golfing holiday. As he investigates the area near what would have been the altar, he finds an artificial cavity in the masonry that contains an ancient bronze whistle with strange inscriptions. He was originally unhappy that the only available room in his hotel had two beds but this proves fortunate, providing the terrifying personage he “whistles up” a place to spend the night. Themes include fear, agnosticism, the supernatural.

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The Delicate Prey

The Delicate Prey: Short story by Paul BowlesThis controversial story by Paul Bowles is not for the squeamish. Two leather merchants and their nephew set off across the Algerian desert to sell their wares. After several days a stranger fearful of bandits in the area approaches and asks to accompany them. One night, the stranger lures the merchants away from camp on the pretext of going hunting. He ambushes and shoots them, then tortures and kills the youth. The crime is discovered when the stranger tries to sell their distinctive leatherworks. Tribal justice is swift and brutal. Themes include greed, deceit, extreme violence, vengeance.

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Identities

Identities: Short story by W. D. ValgardsonIn this story from W. D. Valgardson, the smell of burning leaves on a Saturday morning evokes pleasant memories for a man of childhood drives in the countryside. With his family otherwise occupied, he decides to leave his up-market neighborhood and re-live the experience. Unfortunately, the open spaces of his youth have been replaced by urban sprawl. Late in the day, he finds himself lost in a seedy, seemingly dangerous neighborhood. A stop to call home and warn his family that he will be late for dinner is the last act in his life. Themes: nostalgia, appearance, prejudice, stereotyping, misjudgement.

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