The Tell-Tale Heart is indeed an excellent Poe story. There's also a compelling animation to look out for narrated by the late James Mason, a really fine actor known for his remarkable voice.
I'm glad you included "A Good Man Is Hard to Find", it's a great story but I fear that Flannery O'Connor is now in the sights of the Wokeists who are clutching their pearls because O'Connor's stories make them "uncomfortable", which I thought was the point of many of her stories. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if they add her short stories to their next book burning.
Another candidate for a list of great short stories would be Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place". An incredibly concise story that rips away the pretensions of life as we're supposed to see it and instead shows us that it's nada, nada, nada...
Thank you for such brilliant recommendations. As an English literature student and a teacher in training, these are of great help. Can't believe I haven't read a single one of these. Will definitely check out all of them, with time. 🩷🩷
Great list. I'd definitely add The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin. Both prove that a short story can leave a deeper impression than many novels. There's something remarkable about writers who can build an entire world and dismantle your assumptions in just a few pages.
Thank you for this list! I love “Leaf by Niggle,” it feels like a reminder that, no matter how small or “insignificant” your art seems, it still really matters somehow. I haven’t yet read “How Much Land Does One Man Need” but I wonder if it explores an inverse to Niggle’s story; while Pahom’s life diminishes/ends as he grasps for more and more land, Niggle’s spiritual life expands because he nurtures what he already has, and his humble art becomes part of creating a land of healing in the afterlife. Perhaps both stories communicate, among other things, that “less is more” (which brings us full circle to the power of short stories as opposed to long ones!!)
I strongly recommend listening to Flannery O'Connor herself read A Good Man Is Hard to Find. She has a wonderful accent.
Leaf By Niggle is also a lovely allegory.
Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber & The Stranger
Thank you so much for this list. I'm going to read a few of them this month.
Thank you for compiling. I have read the first two before, will read the rest.
Leaf by niggle reminds me of the story The Last Leaf by O Henry, which is another classic.
"The Last Leaf" was such a beautiful story. I enjoyed O Henry's stories with much delight.
I cannot find The Tell-Tale Heart in Indonesian. That is made me sad. I should translate it before because a lot of them in English🥲
The Tell-Tale Heart is indeed an excellent Poe story. There's also a compelling animation to look out for narrated by the late James Mason, a really fine actor known for his remarkable voice.
I'm glad you included "A Good Man Is Hard to Find", it's a great story but I fear that Flannery O'Connor is now in the sights of the Wokeists who are clutching their pearls because O'Connor's stories make them "uncomfortable", which I thought was the point of many of her stories. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if they add her short stories to their next book burning.
Another candidate for a list of great short stories would be Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place". An incredibly concise story that rips away the pretensions of life as we're supposed to see it and instead shows us that it's nada, nada, nada...
It's thought of, sometimes, as a Christmas story, but O'Henrys The Gift of the Magi has always been one of my favorites.
I reviewed "The Tell-Tale Heart" after reading it from your suggestion list. I also plan to read and review the rest. I posted it with credits to your article, here's the link - https://substack.com/@diyamukherjee2/note/c-295656229?r=6w2kri
Thank you for such brilliant recommendations. As an English literature student and a teacher in training, these are of great help. Can't believe I haven't read a single one of these. Will definitely check out all of them, with time. 🩷🩷
Great list. I'd definitely add The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin. Both prove that a short story can leave a deeper impression than many novels. There's something remarkable about writers who can build an entire world and dismantle your assumptions in just a few pages.
I read "The Telltale Heart" while I was still in grade school. What a story and the visions it evoked in my head.
If I could heart this twice, I would 🖋️📜🍂
Thank you for this list! I love “Leaf by Niggle,” it feels like a reminder that, no matter how small or “insignificant” your art seems, it still really matters somehow. I haven’t yet read “How Much Land Does One Man Need” but I wonder if it explores an inverse to Niggle’s story; while Pahom’s life diminishes/ends as he grasps for more and more land, Niggle’s spiritual life expands because he nurtures what he already has, and his humble art becomes part of creating a land of healing in the afterlife. Perhaps both stories communicate, among other things, that “less is more” (which brings us full circle to the power of short stories as opposed to long ones!!)
I bought the Tell Tale Heart because of this article. Thanks for sharing!