Featured Stories

Flying Home

Flying-Home: Short story by Ralph EllisonIn 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.

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Paul’s Case

Paul's Case: Short story by Willa CatherWilla Cather’s ‘Paul’ is not your average high schooler. Whatever it is that makes him different (interpretations vary from sexuality to autism or some kind of nervous condition) is causing problems in both his school and home lives. The things that keep Paul going are his daydreams of one day living the life of the rich and famous, and his love of music and the theatre. When the latter two are taken away, he decides on drastic action (or is it all another daydream?). Themes: being ‘different’, alienation, fantasy vs. reality, rebellion, deception/fraud, living the dream, despair.

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Spiderweb

Spiderweb: Short story by Mariana EnriquezAlthough there is no spider in this story by Mariana Enriquez, the Argentinian protagonist is trapped in a web of her own making. Marrying “impetuously” at a young age, she finds herself trapped in a relationship with a nagging, controlling man she hates. When the couple go on a trip into the wilds of Paraguay with her psychic cousin, he also proves to be dangerously naïve and impractical. The morning after a dinner conversation involving mystical experiences and unexplained disappearances, she wakes to find her problem solved. Themes include marriage, submission vs. assertiveness, political injustice and violence, the supernatural.

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Hamadi

Hamadi: Short story by Naomi Shihab NyeIn this story by Naomi Shihab Nye, a bookish fourteen-year-old Palestinian-American girl develops a strong connection with Saleh Hamadi, an ageing Lebanese immigrant. Both share an interest in Kahlil Gibran, and in particular his book The Prophet. The girl is pleasantly surprised when the eccentric Hamadi, who lives a spartan, solitary life, accepts an invitation to join her Christmas caroling group. During the evening, she overhears some life advice she will remember for years as Hamadi comforts a friend who is in tears over being snubbed by a boy. Themes include connection, compassion, perseverance, resilience (life goes on), wisdom.

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Children of the Sea

Children of the Sea: Short story by Edwidge DanticatThis story from Edwidge Danticat highlights the plight of refugees the world over who have been (and unfortunately still are) forced to flee their countries for speaking up about illegitimate and/or oppressive governments. The tragic, haunting tale comprises alternating journal entries by a student activist forced to flee Haiti by sea during the notorious Duvalier regime of the late 1950s, and the young woman he leaves behind. As his boat leaks, the girl’s family suffers and Haiti bleeds. Ironically, life on the boat proves almost as savage as on land. Themes: totalitarianism (violence, injustice, human rights abuse), love, sacrifice, death.

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Nightfall

Nightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovNightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovAs once described by Isaac Asimov himself, Nightfall (is) the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness. Hailed as one of the greatest Science Fiction stories ever written it tells how, in preparation for the potential end of their civilization, a group of forward-thinking scientists have created a safe place to store their world’s accumulated knowledge and hide a select group of “survivors”. Themes: science vs superstition (cultism), having the courage of one’s convictions, sensory deprivation, insanity, mob hysteria, scientific hubris.

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Breakfast at Tiffany's: Novella by Truman CapoteSet in the early 1940s, this story by Truman Capote explores the relationship between a budding writer and his downstairs neighbour, mysterious New York café society girl Holly (Holiday) Golightly. Holly lives by socializing with, and seeking a husband from among, wealthy men who take her to clubs and restaurants and give her money and expensive gifts. Unfortunately, a side hustle with a jailed mob boss forces a hasty exit from the country, after which she is not seen again. Themes include freedom, independence and privacy, sexuality, manipulation, yearning for wealth, love and happiness.

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Quiet Town

Quiet Town: Short story by Jason GurleyThe recently released 6th Assessment Report by the UN Climate Change Panel presents a pessimistic assessment of the world’s progress in controlling global warming. That makes this an appropriate time to feature science fiction writer Jason Gurley’s Quiet Town, a grim picture of what may be the future of low-lying townships along world coastlines. Bev, her son Benji, and annoying neighbor Ezze are among the few remaining residents of a small town in which the rising ocean has just breached the sea wall. Experts had originally predicted that this would not happen for fifty years: it had taken five!

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