I read many short stories this year, and almost all of them were good. I have noticed I end up reading more classic short stories than contemporary ones. It’s the easier way to read classics for me, through short stories, as it does not get too heavy. It was difficult for me to narrow down which short stories I liked more than the others, but I managed to pick the ones I enjoyed the most.
A Wasted Hour by Jeffery Archer
A Wasted Hour is a short story written by Jeffery Archer. The story follows a young student who hitchhikes back to college after a vacation. She meets an interesting old man with a fascinating story to tell. The story is extremely engaging, and I loved the pace at which it progresses. It has a lot of depth considering it is barely 25 pages long. I enjoyed the twist at the end. It’s a fun story to read.
The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde
The Model Millionaire is a short story written by Oscar Wilde. It follows a young man who gives some money to an old beggar even though he doesn’t have much financially. His one good deed changes his life. Oscar Wilde’s writing is always on the mark, and I always enjoy reading his stories. The narrative of the story flows so well, and in some ways, it’s relatable even today. I simply loved reading this story.
The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry
O’Henry is an amazing short story writer. After I read The Last Leaf, I couldn’t wait to delve into more of his works, and that is how I found The Gift of the Magi. The story follows a young couple, James and Della. Both of them, wish to buy their spouses something special for Christmas but have limited means for expensive gifts. This is a beautiful story. The way it comes to a full circle is just wonderful. It talks about love and sacrifice and matches its Christmas theme. This is a must-read story; it is beautiful.
The Cats of Ulthar by H. P. Lovecraft
The Cats of Ulthar by H. P. Lovecraft is the first work I have read by the author. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of the writing style and narrative. But I was surprised with how well it turned out. The story is a gothic horror and plays into these elements very well. It is creepy and mysterious in its narrative. The end was totally surprising but added to the whole gothic horror of the story. It is an interesting story but also, creepy in a good way.
The End of Something by Ernest Hemingway
I have been a fan of Ernest Hemingway’s work since I read Old Man and the Sea years ago. The End of Something is a short story written by Hemingway, and that was the first draw for me. This set of stories is based on the semi-autobiographical character Nick Adams. The story follows the last moments of a young couple’s break up and sort of the lead-up to that moment. It keeps you engaged and curious to know more. The theme of a relationship ending is compared to a town losing its charm. It was beautifully written; I enjoyed reading it.
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Books and blues 