Short Stories

[Ashlea]

I know it's been discussed before, but someone recently said they liked them (I believe it was a Martin) and I remembered I'd never recommended Raymond Carver, especially his collection called Cathedral. It's very spare writing, but full of emotion.

Of course, thinking of that made me think of the creative writing class where I first encountered it, so I must also recommend the short stories of my favorite creative writing professor, which are similar in style and very interesting. Also, probably only available in the states.

Glenn Blake, Drowned Moon

Which made me think of another collection by one of my profs. This one (both book and professor) was freaky but good:

Mary Gaitskill, Because They Wanted To


Edit: Just checked, and they are both listed on Amazon's UK website. Gaitskill has a separate UK edition, so you may be able to find that in a really good bookstore.

 

[graydaisy]

short stories are my ultimate favorite. i had an appointment earlier and knew that i would be waiting but didn't know how long, so i took along my favorite book. it's called "Sudden Fiction" and no story is longer than 6 pages. There are some amazing authors featured in it. The undefeated (atleast in my mind) John Cheever, John Updike, Raymond Carver, Ray Bradbury, Russell Edson, Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Joyce Carol Oates, John L'Herueux......i won't drive you crazy with infinite names, but there's a lot, and they're all powerful. i strongly recommend it!!

 

[WoundedThorns]

the main problem i have with short stories is that i get attached to the characters, and then its over. i'm the type of person that feels lost in the beginning as the author introduces the setting/characters of a story