Featured Stories

Astronomer’s Wife

Astronomer's Wife: Short story by Kay BoyleThis story by Kay Boyle explores an empty relationship between a woman and her astronomer husband, and how a brief encounter with a “down to earth” plumber opens her mind to what could be. The astronomer appears more in love with his work than his wife, treating her purely as someone whose role it is to maintain the household order. The plumber, who treats her with respect, communicates freely, and symbolizes the physical world, highlights the dysfunctional nature of her marriage. Themes: control, gender roles, loneliness and lack of fulfilment in marriage, the intellectual vs. physical worlds, epiphany/revelation.

Continue ReadingAstronomer’s Wife

Popular Mechanics (Mine / Little Things)

Popular Mechanics (Mine / Little Things): Short story by Raymond CarverAs anyone who has witnessed an acrimonious divorce knows, sometimes demands over property settlement and custody of children defy logic. This is often because discussions are driven by anger and a desire to hurt or “get back at” the other party as opposed to fairness and what is best for all. In this short story by Raymond Carver, the only major point of argument seems to be which parent will be the main carer for the couple’s baby. Unfortunately, the simple mechanics of a newly formed human body lead to a “Solomon-like” solution that will not please either of them.

Continue ReadingPopular Mechanics (Mine / Little Things)

Proper Library

Proper Library: Short story by Carolyn FerrellIn this acclaimed story by Carolyn Ferrell a gay, academically challenged African-American boy experiencing persecution at school faces a conflict between his ambition to make something of himself and his feelings for a former lover. In addition to learning words with his mother, a highlight of the fourteen-year-old’s day is acting as surrogate “big sister” to the nine-plus younger children living in their house. The boy appears more grounded and “maternal” than most of the women in the story, many of whom are suffering major insecurity issues. Themes include family, love, sexuality, identity, gender stereotypes, alienation, responsibility, determination.

Continue ReadingProper Library

Knock

Knock: Short story by Fredric BrownThis story by Fredric Brown begins and ends with what may be the shortest horror story ever written: The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door… A scientist wakes to find himself alone in a cell. The previous night Alien invaders had collected 217 animal species, including him, for study. They then destroyed all other animal life on the planet. He convinces them that Earth is a dangerous place to live. After they have gone, he hears the second knock on the door. Themes include exploration, genocide, deceit, solitude, “duty”.

Continue ReadingKnock

The Feathered Ogre

The Feathered Ogre: Italian Folktale from Ital CalvinoA dying king is told that his only hope for a cure is a magical feather from an ogre known to kill any human it sees. When no one else volunteers to face the creature, one of his most loyal attendants steps forward. The story from here shares elements found in several other European and Eastern folktales: during the journey, he encounters people who request him to ask the ogre for solutions to problems they have been experiencing. Two of the solutions will change his and the ogre’s life. Themes include good vs. evil, loyalty, helping others, courage and bravery.

Continue ReadingThe Feathered Ogre

The Mill

The Mill: Novelette by H. E. BatesThe major theme of his story by H. E. Bates is exploitation: economic exploitation by parents who place their daughter in servitude, and sexual exploitation by her employer who rapes her on an almost daily basis. The most puzzling aspect of the story is the girl’s compliant, almost robot-like, demeanor, perhaps brought about by her father’s dictatorial bullying. It only when the girl arrives home after her employer’s son, the only man who has shown her any kindness, realises and tells her she is pregnant, that her eyes come to life with tears. Other themes include isolation, naivety, jealousy, fear.

Continue ReadingThe Mill

Mateo Falcone

Mateo Falcone: Short story by Prosper MériméeThis disturbing tale by Prosper Mérimée has been called “the cruellest story in the world”. Although it deals with some complex issues, the plot is rather simple. Set in the wilds of Corsica, a bratty ten-year-old boy left home alone is confronted by a wounded criminal fleeing the police. He pays the boy to hide him but, when the police arrive and offer a bigger reward, the boy betrays the man. This brings shame upon his family, and forces his father to enforce the Corsican Code of Honor. Themes include greed, honor and betrayal, custom (vendetta), violence and brutality.

Continue ReadingMateo Falcone

Initiation

Initiation: Short story by Sylvia PlathIn this story Sylvia Plath, a candidate declines membership of an elite high school sorority after successfully completing its demeaning initiation process. Her reasons for doing so reflect the major themes of the story: friendship (fear of being distanced from a friend) and identity (conformity vs. individuality). She visualizes the sorority as being like a flock of sparrows, one like the other, all exactly alike. Her decision is strengthened by imagining herself as a mythical “heather bird”, strong and proud in their freedom and their sometime loneliness. Other themes include hazing, isolation vs. social acceptance, human connection, personal growth.

Continue ReadingInitiation