Featured Stories

The Hospice

The Hospice: Short story by Robert AickmanAuthor Robert Aickman preferred to be called a writer of “strange fiction” rather than ghost or horror stories. The Hospice, considered one of his best, is a good example of why. The story is full of unexplained twists and turns. It builds to what readers expect will be a typical horror climax, then seemingly falls flat with the protagonist safely on his way home. But is he? It’s easy to see why Aickman has been called the English Kafka. Was it a dream? Delirium caused by an animal bite? Supernatural forces? Or did he die along the way?

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Cathedral

Cathedral: Short story by Raymond CarverIn Raymond Carver’s Cathedral, a troubled, disillusioned man with a cynical view of the world is suddenly confronted by his metaphorical blindness. Ironically, the person who brings about this epiphany is a blind friend of his wife. The story begins with the husband full of sarcasm (Maybe I could take him bowling…) as the couple discuss the blind man’s visit. He has pre-conceived ideas about the blind and is surprised when their visitor doesn’t fit the stereotype. Themes include friendship and marriage, insecurity, alienation and loneliness, creativity and imagination, perception (looking vs. seeing).

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The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven: Short story by Sherman AlexieThis story by Sherman Alexie highlights the difficulty tribal Native-Americans have assimilating into American society. A Spokane Indian recalls his breakup with a white kindergarten teacher he loved. Their relationship was one of constant fights and arguments, often over his excessive drinking. Tortured by violent dreams, he returned to the community of the reservation. After several idle months he once again finds work in the outside world, where a call from his ex-girlfriend suggests they still have feelings for one another but are too afraid to pursue them. Themes include community vs. isolation, prejudice, alcohol abuse, love and hatred.

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The Perfect Match

The Perfect Match: Short story by Ken LiuIn this dystopian story by Ken Liu, a powerful cyber system gathers information on the habits, desires and preferences of almost everyone in the world. Through its motherly virtual assistant “Tilly” (Hey Google!), it uses this information to control unfavourable governments and manipulate user’s lives, including autosuggesting products from advertising partners. A member of a rebellious hacking group and disillusioned lawyer caught trying to take down the system are made an offer they cannot refuse. Themes include corporate greed vs. “benevolence”, the dangers of overreliance on AI (blind acceptance and loss of humanity), manipulation and control, rebellion.

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The Black Cat

The Black Cat: Short story by Edgar Allan PoeThe Stephen Kings of the writing world tend to use external, often supernatural forces as their instruments of terror. With Edgar Allan Poe, the horror generally develops from the tortured mind of man. The protagonist here has lost his mind to alcoholism. Like many alcoholics, he becomes violent when in a drunken state. This is initially directed towards family pets. Extreme cruelty to animals can indicate psychopathic tendencies, and this proves true later in the story when he shows no remorse for any of his actions, including the murder of his wife. Themes: alcoholism, mental illness, brutality, death.

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The Little Things / Tears for Sale

The Little Things / Tears for Sale: Short stories by Samira AzzamSamira Azzam is best known for her later stories presenting a Palestinian perspective on the violence associated with the creation of Israel. Her lesser-known earlier stories are marked by entertaining descriptions of pre-war Palestinian life and traditions. In Little Things, a lovestruck college student tries but fails to heed her parent’s advice to remain virtuous and “not be like other silly girls”. Themes include reputation, first love, sexuality, self-determination. In Tears for Sale, a professional mourner who doubles as a beautician for brides learns that grief is easier to fake than suffer. Themes include curiosity, death, grief, marriage, virtue.

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The Indian Uprising

The Indian Uprising: Short story by Donald BarthelmeIf you like stories with a traditional plot, this experimental story from Donald Barthelme may not be for you. Having said this, many reviewers rank it as one of Barthelme’s best. The narrator is the leader of a city besieged by “Comanches”. Interspersed with recounting the battle he shares random, disjointed memories, often expressed in unconventional language. A major theme is rebellion: the “Indians” are attacking the city, many of its unhappy citizens revolt and help them, and his girlfriend supports the Indians and wants nothing more to do with him. Other themes include violence, male-female relationships, deception and betrayal.

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A Wagner Matinée

A Wagner Matinée: Short story by Willa CatherWilla Cather’s A Wagner Matinée highlights the gulf between the hard, isolated life of the American West’s early settlers and the civilized, cultured life of the cities they left behind. The contrast is even greater for the protagonist’s Aunt Georgiana who is not only highly educated, but also accomplished in and passionate about classical music. Her state of almost catatonic shock upon returning to the city and tearful reaction to the musical performance may also indicate regret over her rash elopement thirty years earlier. Themes: hardship, isolation, loneliness, kindness, appreciation, the inspirational/healing power of music.

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