When you’re not in the mood to read an entire novel, there are lovely short stories that can occupy your time. Even though the stories are brief, they’re packed with emotion, description, and plot. They’ll keep you just as entertained as any novel or movie and will stretch your imagination. These lovely short stories show that bigger isn’t always better.
Quiz Complete!
Get notified about new quizzes like this.
Study in Emerald
If you haven’t already read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, you should do so immediately. “A Study in Emerald” is an imitation of the story “A Study in Scarlet,” but transferred into the horrible world of H.P. Lovecraft. “A Study in Emerald” is written by the bestselling author Neil Gaiman and is perfect for any lover of Victorian literature. It’s displayed in the form of a newspaper and contains scattered advertisements that reference Frankenstein and Dracula. If you’re looking for lovely short stories, you should start with neilgaiman.com.
Neil Gaiman masterfully blends the detective intrigue of Sherlock Holmes with the dark, otherworldly elements Lovecraft is known for. "A Study in Emerald" packs a punch, with a narrative that combines mystery and the macabre, delivering an experience unlike any standard detective tale. The story will ensnare lovers of gothic horror and detective fiction alike, offering a fresh and haunting twist on classic motifs. With Gaiman's sharp writing and the rich backdrop of an alternative Victorian era, readers are in for a deliciously eerie treat. Highly recommended for those who crave a cerebral shiver mixed with their literary exploration.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/00/a5l2x82mtygveutep7rlu_1080_1349.jpg)
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Harlan Ellison wrote this story that acts as a warning against technology. In the world that he created, a supercomputer destroys every human except for the five that the story centers around. The four men and one woman are tortured by the computer every single day. Even though they wish to die, the computer makes them immortal so that it has something to keep itself occupied. Read this unique story at pub.psi.cc.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/81/i4lpr5we1a16aj2lh19cu_750x935.jpg)
The Story of an Hour
You might have read this story by Kate Chopin before. It’s popular for schools to teach due to its excellent use of literary devices. “The Story of an Hour” is an ironic tale about a woman who is told about the death of her husband. Without giving anything away, the story centers around the desire for freedom. If you want to know more, it’s available on vcu.edu.
In Kate Chopin's narrative, we peer into the complex emotional landscape of a woman's heart reacting to loss while grappling with newfound liberation. The protagonist's internal struggle unfolds with subtlety and depth, prompting the reader to confront the shackles of societal expectations. Chopin's skillful storytelling invites us to consider the paradox of freedom within social confines, all packed into an hour's potent turning-of-events that culminates in a twist that is as startling as it is thought-provoking. This story's enduring relevance, over a century later, attests to its poignant exploration of the human spirit.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/35/hsis1rjcnskdb82djjzdam_1080x1350.jpg)
The Tell-Tale Heart
This one’s a classic that everyone should read at least once. Written by Edgar Allan Poe, the story follows a murderer who feels guilty about his crime. It explores the human condition and how everyone, even those who appear to be ruthless, has a conscience. Read it on xroads.virginia.edu. If you've ever felt guilty, you'll be able to relate to it.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/sb/dq/tj56vtoh56aead20a2a4f547101958_400x400.jpg)
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
You’ve heard of the story and might have seen film adaptations of it, but have you read it? It’s a ghost story written by Washington Irving in 1820. He created the character of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane, which most people are familiar with. Read it at pagebypagebooks.com and tell me what you think. Is the original story better than the adaptations you’ve seen?
/filters:quality(70)/lifestyle/thumbs/q5/cg/w96f7qga55a962faeeea5041885641_400x400.jpg)
To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.
Good Country People
Flannery O’Connor wrote this short story in the early 1900s. This is a tale about deception and shows that people are not always who they appear to be. It warns you to be careful who you trust and who you let into your life. There are good amounts of irony and disturbing scenes that keep you reading. Go to faculty.weber.edu to read it.
/filters:quality(70)/books/thumbs/gs/gq/hcqmtjb55589b6795d242523910170_400x400.jpg)
The Most Dangerous Game
Richard Connell wrote this story about a man hunting other men. Zaroff, the hunter, gets tired of killing animals because it isn’t challenging enough for him. He decides to wait until sailors become shipwrecked on his island and gives them a small amount of supplies. Then he releases them into the wild and hunts them down. If his prey manages to survive for three days without being captured, he lets him go. Will Zaroff always win or will someone find a way to defeat him? Find out by reading classicreader.com.
If you’re unfamiliar with any of these stories, give them a try! What’s your favorite short story? Are you a fan of any of the ones listed above?
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge