Featured Stories

Why Don’t You Dance?

Why Don't You Dance?: Short story by Raymond CarverThis minimalist story from Raymond Carver captures a brief encounter between a middle-aged man holding a yard sale and a young couple interested in buying furniture. We learn very little about the man other than that he was once in a relationship, is selling almost everything he owns, and probably drinks too much. The man offers the couple whiskey, puts on some music, and suggests that they dance. Carver leaves it to the reader to interpret what happens next. All we know is that the girl is troubled by it for weeks. Possible themes: alcoholism, loneliness, despair, compassion, connection, confusion.

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Ringing the Changes

Ringing the Changes: Novelette by Robert AickmanThis story by Robert Aickman describes the frightening first night of a delayed honeymoon. The bride, much younger than the groom, wanted to spend their time in a remote coastal village neither had visited before. The moment they arrive, a church bell starts ringing continuously. It is out of tourist season, the streets are empty, the hotel staff act strangely, and there is a sickening, rotten smell in the air. Later, the bells of every church in the village begin ringing with urgency, heralding a macabre annual festival involving the walking dead. Themes: marriage, insecurity, isolation, class, fear, the supernatural.

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Seventh Day of the Seventh Moon

Seventh Day of the Seventh Moon: Short story by Ken LiuIn this bittersweet story by Ken Liu, the myth behind China’s annual Qixi Festival comes to life to help two young women in love face a forced separation. On the eve before parting, flocks of magpies magically appear to transport them to the ‘bridge’ upon which the Qixi lovers meet once a year. The message they receive from the mythical couple is that if one loves someone and moves on, their love remains true no matter how many times they fall in love with others. Themes include culture, tradition, change (Westernization/commercialism), love, separation, moving on, sexuality, the supernatural.

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Licked

Licked: Short story by Paul JenningsThe major themes of this very funny story by Paul Jennings are practical jokes and consequences. Young Andrew learns that his father’s boss is coming to dinner. When he overhears his parents making a pact not to criticize his table manners during the meal, he decides to put them to the test. And just in case it looks like they will be able to keep their promise, he hides a ‘secret weapon’ under the table that is sure to make them angry. The secret weapon works, but Andrew hadn’t thought about what problems this might cause for his father’s job.

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Amnesty

Amnesty: Short story by Jose Dalisay Jr.In this story by Jose Dalisay Jr., a chance encounter on a bus contrasts the directions taken by two student revolutionaries during the Philippine’s Marcos dictatorship. One stayed true to the cause and has just been released from prison under a general amnesty declared by the incoming government. After six years in jail, she appears physically broken but emotionally strong. The other chose “survival”, privately supporting the cause but publically embracing and prospering under the corrupt system. He fears for his comfortable lifestyle. Themes include oppression, courage and remaining true to a cause, sacrifice, hypocrisy, guilt and regret, hope.

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Storyteller

Storyteller: Short story by Leslie Marmon SilkoThis story by Leslie Marmon Silko retraces the life of a Yupic Eskimo woman up to the point she is jailed for murder. The story deals with the effects of “Gussick” (American) miners and traders on traditional village life, the way the village community supports her family of eccentric outcasts, how her sexual molestation by her grandmother’s partner drives her into the arms of American miners, and her quest for retribution against a Gussick storekeeper who sold poisoned liquor to her parents. Themes include cultural loss, exploitation, alienation, community, revenge, and storytelling.

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Circumcision

Circumcision: Short story by Pramoedya Ananta ToerIf you will forgive the pun, this semi-autobiographical story by Pramoedya Ananta Toer has a “sting” in the tail. Although apprehensive, a young Muslim boy views his upcoming circumcision with excitement… both for the gifts he will receive and the houri (young maidens) who will serve him in heaven. Asked afterwards if he now feels like a true Muslim, his answer is “no”. And with no prospect of being rich enough to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, the thought of becoming a true Muslim never again enters his head. Themes include tradition, religious identity, pride/smugness, fear, socioeconomic status, disillusionment.

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In the Garden

In the Garden: Short story by Jose Dalisay, Jr.Set during the Philippine’s Marcos dictatorship, this story by Jose Dalisay Jr. takes place in the garden of an isolated one-room school. As the children tend their vegetables, a group of soldiers appears and begins to pull them out. Their orders are to take or destroy all local food sources in retaliation for the killing of one of their number. The younger children are sent home, but the oldest (a fourteen-year-old girl) is ordered to stay to “cook and do the soldier’s washing”. Bravely, the teacher insists on staying with her. Themes include innocence, oppression, intimidation, helplessness, fear, responsibility, courage.

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