As a reader and writer of short stories, I have my favorites. Some of them are classics that everyone knows and others may surprise you. Here are my top 10 favorite short stories of all time.
10. “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (1930)
“A Rose for Emily” is a creepy short story about the life and death of Emily Grierson, a wealthy and single recluse. Everyone in town is obsessed with her and her strange ignorance of death. After she dies, the townsfolk eagerly investigate her house, and they find something quite unsavory in the upstairs bedroom. This story benefits from rereading to find the foreshadowing. The hints are sprinkled throughout, making it a fun guessing game as to what’s going on. The ending is a bit grotesque, but when a story leaves you squeamish, you know the author did a good job creating detailed imagery and a suspenseful mood.
You can read “A Rose for Emily” here.
9. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe (1843)
I had to include some Edgar Allan Poe here. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is written in first-person point of view from a disturbed man recounting his murder of an old man. Poe expertly builds tension and conveys his narrator’s insanity with his stylistic choices like cutting off sentences, adding exclamation points, and repeating words. He writes as if in a rush, giving the story a tightness that makes you apprehensive. The murderer also talks directly to us—the audience—to try to prove his innocence in comically absurd ways, making the story feel like a conversation.
You can read “The Tell-Tale Heart” here.
8. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson (1948)
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a classic. Every student probably had to read it at some point during high school. This short story’s fame comes from its chilling ending. Jackson mastered dystopian fiction long before it became a YA (Young Adult) trend. The theme of population control common to dystopian fiction is captured in a unique way that feels both futuristic and barbaric, making the story timeless. Jackson takes the time to flesh out all of the characters and only gives tiny hints as to what might really be going on before she shocks you with the astonishing climax.
You can read “The Lottery” here.
7. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892)
“The Yellow Wallpaper” is written in diary format from the point of view of a woman who’s been confined to her house by her husband because of her “condition.” Her room is covered in a yellow wallpaper she believes is trapping a woman in the walls. This story was my first exposure to feminist literature. The female protagonist is trapped in marriage, trapped in her house, and ignored by doctors until she goes mad. The story may just seem disturbing at first, but it’s truly heartbreaking because it shows a woman struggling to get mental health services (a situation sadly still common today). I love this story for its social commentary, diary format, and suspense.
You can read “The Yellow Wallpaper” here.
6. “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury (1950)
I’m a science fiction fan, and Ray Bradbury is one of the best. “The Veldt” takes place in a future when homes can cook and clean for you and nurseries bring children’s imagination to life. The Hadley family is having trouble with its nursery: it won’t stop simulating Africa and lions. And the lions look a little too real. Bradbury is another author talented at maximizing foreshadowing. His descriptions and imagery of the African setting and the lions feel real because he makes detailed use of the five senses. This short story also has a moral to it: parents shouldn’t rely on technology to raise their children (a lesson quite valuable today).
You can read “The Veldt” here.
5. “No Name Woman” by Maxine Hong Kingston (1976)
Part story, part personal essay, “No Name Woman” explores the struggles of being a Chinese woman. The narrator recalls her mother’s account about an aunt who killed herself after giving birth out of wedlock. The mother’s tale is blended with the narrator’s own experience growing up Chinese American and her guesses as to what really happened to her aunt. The unique structure bounces back and forth between memory and imagination. It feels realistic and personal since it’s based on Kingston’s life. The short story also leaves a lasting impression thanks to the powerful language used.
You can read “No Name Woman” here.
4. “Bad Neighbors” by Edward P. Jones (2006)
“Bad Neighbors” is a short story about a Black community that dislikes its new neighbors, the Benningtons (who happen to be poorer than the other residents). Tensions rise between the Benningtons and the other residents while a quiet romance struggles to bloom. The theme examines intraracial class tension. Jones writes about the complexities of the African American experience in all of his fiction with beautiful prose. He mainly focuses on specific places in Washington D.C.. Jones also writes characters—even minor ones— that feel alive by sharing specific details about their lives, making his worlds feel real and intricate.
You can read “Bad Neighbors” here.
3. “Nemecia” by Kirstin Valdez Quade (2012)
“Nemecia” is about family and the Mexican American experience. The story follows young Maria and her cousin Nemecia. They have a complicated relationship, to say the least. Maria adores and envies the older Nemecia, who is beautiful and terrifying. Maria believes Nemecia is a murderer, but is it true? Quade’s themes delve into the complex relationships of siblinghood and the various effects of trauma. Quade is a newer writer, but her skill for creating disturbing moments and utilizing interiority should be better recognized.
You can read “Nemecia” here.
2. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates (1966)
Frequently anthologized (and for good reason), “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is about the dangers of being a young girl. 15-year-old Connie catches the eye of Arnold Friend, who arrives at her house unannounced when she’s home alone. He tries convincing her to go for a drive with him, and Connie slowly realizes that this man is not who he says he is at all. This story, like the others, builds suspense in every line, but on a whole different level. The point of view of a young girl makes Connie’s interaction with Arnold Friend more frightening given how vulnerable and young she is. The character of Arnold Friend has some peculiar physical and verbal quirks that make him memorable, too. In the #MeToo era, this story hits especially hard.
You can read “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” here.
1. “Surrounded by Sleep” by Akhil Sharma (2001)
The subject matter here is depressing, but the story is beautifully written and features a compelling main character. “Surrounded by Sleep” is about a boy named Ajay whose brother recently ended up in a coma after hitting his head at the bottom of a pool. The story follows Ajay’s attempts at dealing with this complicated loss. The story intertwines themes of grief, hopelessness, and the immigrant experience in a very creative way. Every time I read this story I connect with it more because it’s about the universal question: What do you do when a loved one dies? And in this case, when they’re brain dead? Since Ajay is from India, the cultural dissonance adds another layer onto the loss of his brother. The child’s perspective is truly what makes the story so special. Ajay’s imaginative moments are especially interesting to read such as the way he imagines God as Clark Kent/Superman.
You can read “Surrounded by Sleep” here.
Those are my top 10 favorite short stories. Hopefully you’ve found some new favorites of your own in this list. Share your top 10 favorite short stories in the comments below!
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