Leisure's Edge
It's weird. It's dark, and it is weird.The world is under a microscope in Leisure's Edge, a collection of surrealist short stories that interweave elements of parable, modern koan, cyclical nightmare and Vanaprastha.Exploring themes of self-importance, statistical probability, agoraphobia, legacy, cannibalism, infinity, mathematics, and the hypnotic lure of the permanence of art, the collection employs humour, not as a mere device, but as a weapon against itself.Leisure's Edge holds up a mirror to society so that it may stare back and splash cold water in its own face. The stories have complexity and depth, they are thought-provoking with innovative literary structures yet wholly readable.This work will resonate with admirers of Jos矇 Saramago, Donald Barthelme, Jorge Luis Borges, and Dostoyevsky's The Crocodile.
Baron and Other Short Stories
About the BookA captivating collection of short stories that delve into love, betrayal, and the quiet strength of the human spirit. From deep-rooted family bonds to moments tinged with nostalgia, each tale invites you into the intimate corners of everyday life. With characters that feel both familiar and richly layered, these stories celebrate the beauty and vulnerability of human connection. Gracefully told and emotionally resonant, this book offers narratives that will stay with you long after the final page.About the AuthorRashmi Chugh is a journalist, publisher and digital transformation leader who has returned to her first love, which is storytelling. Born and raised in Chandigarh, she grew up surrounded by art, music and nature, which continue to shape her creative voice. Her stories draw from a rich career in journalism and travels across India, Africa and Europe capturing the essence of people, places and the universal threads that connect us all. She currently divides her time between Delhi and Nairobi.
Light and Dark and Other Stories
The stories in this book are unified in one sense: the main characters, young to old, experience remarkable moments of light and dark in their lives. An eighty-year-old writer finds his ordered life upended when his long-absent rocker daughter appears with her mentally impaired teenager; an adolescent boy finds out more than he cares to know about darkness from carnival workers; a man in love with a BBC Star Baker from afar attempts to live out his TV fantasies with unhappy results; a brainy autistic child learns compassion from a chickadee; a knife-thrower, a stripper, and a barrel racer alter each other's lives at a 4H fair; a Kansas farm woman finds a way back to the technicolor adventures of her youth, guided by a religious con man. These and other stories, thirteen in all, are newly written, published here for the first time.
Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus Is Alive!
"Powerful short fiction that lingers."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Lozada-Oliva shines in this scintillating collection . . . Readers will be enthralled."--Publishers Weekly "Melissa Lozada-Oliva writes with a perfect blend of intoxicating magic and unflinching humor, illuminating the visceral tensions of yearning and darkness that define our most human moments. A beautiful, sharp-tongued collection that feels like an instant classic with an edge all its own."--Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman and Godshot From the author of Dreaming of You and Candelaria comes an ethereal and revelatory short story collection about faith, delusion, and the demons that can't get enough of us. A beheaded body interrupts a quincea簽era. An obsession with her father's bizarre video game shifts a lonely girl's reality. A sentient tail sprouts from a hospital worker's backside, throwing her romantic life into peril. And in the novella "Community Hole," a recently cancelled musician flees New York and finds herself in a haunted punk house in Boston. This collection, at once playful, grisly, and tender, presents a tapestry of women ailing for something to believe in - even if it hurts them. Using body horror, fabulism, and humor, Melissa Lozada-Oliva mines the pain and uncanniness of the modern world. Reveling in the fine line between disgust and desire, Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus is Alive! is for the sinner in us all.
In the Swampyland
Autobiographical fiction from the author of the memoir The Magnolia Code B'rer Rabbit, trickster of the Uncle Remus tales. A chicken's head bobbing in a bowl of soup, its dead eyes accusing the diner. Cockroaches, venomous snakes, biting frogs. These are among the lively characters in Joan Brooks Baker's second book, a collection of stories called In the Swampyland, which spans the author's life from her childhood in New York City to her eye-opening, sometimes-risky world travels. In the Swampyland examines the world in which Baker grew up and aims equally intense scrutiny at the exotic cultures her innate curiosity has motivated her to visit, from the jungles of Colombia to the streets of India and the attractions of the American South, in her search for belonging. We empathize as she confronts the constraints of her world in The Burrito and learns to appreciate its advantages in Beyond the View; we watch her literally close the door on her past in A Lingering Scent. We admire her risk-taking, as a child and as an adult, as she forges a different path than the one she was expected to take. Following on the heels of her award-winning memoir, The Magnolia Code (2020, SF Design/Fresco Books), In the Swampyland reaches even deeper into memory, meaning and desire. In the story after which the book is titled, Baker persuades us to ponder the notion of our own swampylands and discover how we can survive these dark, dangerous, and yet fecund locales in our own minds and hearts--and in the process, if we are lucky, find out where we belong.
The Loon Counters
In the fictional Adirondack towns of Silver Lake and Lost River, a colorful cast of residents coexist, sometimes unharmoniously, with seasonal visitors, travelers, hikers, and hermits. With vivid descriptions, Roger Sheffer chronicles both the ordinary and the odd events in this rural community. Olympic torch bearers, a mysteriously unseen-but-often-heard violinist, pushy hikers, and brooding art museum security guards dapple the lives of the wealthy Silver Lake and working-class Lost River folk. Familiar characters recur across stories, seasons, and locations, finely illustrating the subtle shifts in the life of an isolated Adirondack enclave. In these sixteen brilliantly crafted stories, Sheffer reveals the complex charm of the region, the sublime beauty found in quotidian details of everyday life, and the potent lure of the small places people carve for themselves in nature.
A Chronicle of the Early Twentieth Century
Carl Sternheim (1878-1942) was Germany's most 'advanced', and certainly most provocative, dramatist in the decade spanning the First World War. While his satirical comedies remain popular and are frequently staged, the fourteen short stories in this collection have remained untouched for over a century - unjustly, but understandably, given their uncompromising literary modernism. They are here translated into English in their entirety for the first time.The neglect of Sternheim's stories is largely due to his use of language. Critics complained that his rebarbative style 'does not fulfil its function as a cognitive instrument', even that 'he never wrote German at all'. Over-abbreviated, under-punctuated, fragmented, and truncated syntax thwarted access to his prose fiction, however 'extremely clever' its psychological depth (Fritz Martini). And so, apart from some Expressionist anthologies (although Sternheim distanced himself from the term, and from most of its young practitioners), it largely disappeared from view.But Sternheim was a master of the short story: his powerful 'antijournalism' and scathing social satire are long overdue a reappraisal. This edition renders his difficult 'Expressionist' writing accessible for the first time, meaning Sternheim can finally attract the readership he deserves.Fred Bridgham's publications include The Friendly German-English Dictionary, a translation of Hans Werner Henze's The Prince of Homburg for English National Opera, and (with Edward Timms) Karl Kraus's The Last Days of Mankind (an MLA prize-winner), as well as Kraus's The Third Walpurgis Night. This is his second volume for MHRA New Translations.
Dead Money
A roving gambler accepts an invitation to a private, high-stakes poker game at a mansion in the Carolina mountains. But when he arrives, he discovers the stakes are far higher than expected. is he up for the challenge, or will the game he loves be his downfall?
Bacon the Pig
Bacon the PigPigs are traditionally thought of as nothing more than meat at a barbeque, a dirty animal, with no other worth. This story will hopefully change your opinion of "the other white meat" and see that they are intelligent creatures and can react to what other animals usually can't, except dogs. Pigs really do care?John Jackson was born in Gary Indiana in 1946 and moved to Nunica, Michigan, in 1949 with parents to a farm. He loved farming and raising animals and fishing and hunting in the wooded area on the farm and upper Michigan. Jackson became interested in police work and worked in LaPorte County for two different towns and some extra work on Laporte County Sheriff's Department. He worked many years in safety and safety management in the trucking industryHis fondest memories and passions were raising animals and studying their thought processes He have found in his research that different animals have so much more intelligence than we give them credit for which is why Bacon the Pig story was born His favorite truism is that if you received anything good from him, it came from God, so He gets all the glory.
My Collection of Short Stories
This is a collection of 18 short stories and one commentary. The stories have many subject matters. All are fiction except one: 'A Message'. That is a factual story and you will understand when you read it. The commentary is rather controversial and you might consider not reading it. I warn you about it in advance. I thank all those who allowed me to use their pictures to represent certain characters. I hope you enjoy the storylines. You might consider checking out my 13 published novels. They are based on time twists, historic events, gypsy fortune tellers, Ouija boards and one even has murder.
Tales From The Hills
The district of Lahaul-Spiti, west of Tibet and south of Ladakh, presents the most spectacular view to the human eye. Dotted with high snow peaks, glaciers, rivers and vistas of inner Himalayan desert landscapes, it is believed that this regions monasteri
Mice In Men
Can the simple act of saving a mouse teach an insecure, ordinary man to rise above his afflictions and his love? An old man contemplates giving up everything, but discovers love while witnessing an extramarital affair. After suffering a lifetime of prejudice and humiliation, a doctor is finally able to confront his own prejudices while attending to a man in the throes of a stroke. Is love a neurosis that the famous psychiatrist unwittingly falls victim to? His patient is an illegal immigrant, desperately poor and fighting for his life. Yet, as death slowly but surely beats him down, a young doctor awakens to the strange beauty of his profession.
Primal Woman
When the East India Company sells one of its village bungalows to a Bengali aristocrat, the erstwhile manager, Hamilton sahib, finds himself homeless in his adopted country. A mother leaves her house and her notions of chastity in order to feed her childr
You've Told Me Before
Sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad, always compelling, the stories in this collection explore the many manifestations of being Jewish in a modern and largely secular world. Jennifer Anne Moses creates characters, mostly American, who are struggling with love, relationships, faith, tradition, family, and the ties that bind. A professor of Jewish literature buys a lake house in the countryside with the aim of enjoying it with her husband, dogs, and grown sons, only to discover that her new neighbor is a sexist, dog-hating, and deeply antisemitic bully. The editor of a magazine devoted to lost languages resents the popularity of a younger, less sophisticated novelist, who happens to have been her student. A young woman tries to find her way after her fianc矇 calls off their wedding. With the contradictions, yearnings, imperfections, and longing for grace that beset all of us, these characters reach their own epiphanies--with results that are by turns breathtaking and heartbreaking.
Boarding Pass
"Love wasn't on the itinerary. He crashed the trip."I'm in Paris with an offer for a career-making solo photography exhibit.I should be floating on champagne and designer euphoria.Instead, I'm single and alone at a Tom Selleck-themed wine bar, wondering if thirty-two is too young to start over.Then he walks in.Messy hair, leather jacket, a smile I feel in places I haven't for years.One accidental wine spill and soul-shaking kiss later..."I'm about to make the most impulsive decision of my life."I sold my company for freedom, not to get tied down.Working like a fool is all I've ever known.I need a hard reset. No expectations. No itinerary. Just a one-way ticket to Paris and a suitcase full of unresolved baggage..Then I see her.A knockout with wine-stained lips and eyes that could undo a man.Our connection is instant, magical, impossible to ignore.I didn't come here to fall in love.But I'm starting to think Paris had other plans.Boarding Pass is a full-throttle, no-holds-barred romance, perfect if you love dirty talk in French bars, sunrise in five-star suites, and the kind of love that doesn't ask permission.
A Place in the World
Winner of the 2025 Drue Heinz Literature PrizeStories of Ordinary People Experiencing Extraordinary Circumstances The eleven stories in A Place in the World are character-driven portrayals of various lives transformed by random events or twists of fate. A young woman living on the coast of Maine confronts her painful past when her little brother comes to visit after being released from rehab, a hopeless gay hustler, in for the long con, instead finds himself falling in love while vacationing in Denmark, a failed New York City actor afraid of commitment goes on a comic rant and embraces an epiphany while cat-sitting for a friend. In separate, first-person narratives, a struggling husband and wife take turns describing the impact of a scandalous crisis in their marriage, and a settled suburban dad arrives at a beach house for the weekend, only to realize he robbed one of the other houseguests thirty-four years earlier. In this poignant, engaging collection, Gaythwaite offers compassion and surprising optimism while celebrating astonishing resilience in the face of life's persistent challenges.
Primary Sources, Historical Collections
Dive into the sharp wit and keen observations of Edith Wharton with "Xingu: And Other Stories." This collection showcases Wharton's mastery of the short story form, offering a glimpse into the lives and social dynamics of early 20th-century America. With a foreword by T. S. Wentworth, readers gain additional insight into the context and significance of Wharton's work. From the satirical skewering of intellectual pretensions in the title story, "Xingu," to poignant explorations of love, loss, and societal expectations, Wharton's stories resonate with timeless themes. Her incisive prose and compelling characters make this collection a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and the intricacies of human relationships. Discover why Edith Wharton remains one of the most important voices in American fiction.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Maoriland Stories
Title: Maoriland Stories.Publisher: British Library, Historical Print EditionsThe British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is one of the world's largest research libraries holding over 150 million items in all known languages and formats: books, journals, newspapers, sound recordings, patents, maps, stamps, prints and much more. Its collections include around 14 million books, along with substantial additional collections of manuscripts and historical items dating back as far as 300 BC.The FICTION & PROSE LITERATURE collection includes books from the British Library digitised by Microsoft. The collection provides readers with a perspective of the world from some of the 18th and 19th century's most talented writers. Written for a range of audiences, these works are a treasure for any curious reader looking to see the world through the eyes of ages past. Beyond the main body of works the collection also includes song-books, comedy, and works of satire. ++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ British Library Grace, Alfred A.; 1895. 205 p.; 8?簞. 012630.l.17.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A Night In A Snowstorm, And Other Stories
"A Night In A Snowstorm, And Other Stories" presents a collection of evocative short stories by Charles Bruce, capturing moments of human experience with vivid prose and keen observation. From suspenseful narratives to character-driven pieces, these tales explore themes of resilience, love, and the unpredictable nature of life. Bruce's storytelling prowess shines through in each carefully crafted story, offering readers a glimpse into diverse lives and landscapes. Whether set against the backdrop of a winter storm or within the quiet corners of everyday existence, these stories resonate with emotional depth and timeless appeal.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Murray Ballantyne, The Heir Of Tillingford, And Other Stories
Delve into the world of Murray Ballantyne with this collection of captivating short stories. Featuring "The Heir of Tillingford" and other tales, this volume showcases Ballantyne's storytelling prowess and his ability to create vivid characters and settings. These stories explore themes of inheritance, societal expectations, and the complexities of human relationships. Experience the charm and wit of a bygone era through these timeless narratives, perfect for readers who appreciate classic literary fiction.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A Desert Between Two Seas
Set in the crumbling Spanish missions of nineteenth-century Baja California, this mythic novel in linked stories follows two grief-stricken people as haunted as the desolate chapels around them: a priest who caused the drowning of a native boy by compelling him to fish for pearls, and a deaf woman trying to outrun her murderous reputation as a pistolera. Though the stories span landscapes, villages, characters, and decades, the heart of the novel is Baja California itself--a stark land of cactus and creosote, of russet canyons and splintered wastes of rock--where people living in the shadow of ruined missions seek redemption on an inhospitable peninsula forsaken even by its priests.
A History of Existing Life
"The language in Shelagh Powers Johnson's debut collection strikes the rare and perfect balance between understated and surprising. The characters in these stories span time periods and geographic location but are united by Johnson's astute observation of brutality and heartbreak- but also the beauty and redemption-of the every day." -Amanda Parrish Morgan, author of Stroller, named one of The New Yorker's Best Books of 2022"A History of Existing Life is filled with lush, dark, haunting, and intricate prose and piercing observations. Old lovers briefly reunite. A woman's paintings transform into a living dreamscape. Everyone reckons with their past. Johnson's exquisite stories probe into the inner workings of relationships, of parents who love and who betray and disappoint. Let this collection surprise and envelop you." -Lauren D. Woods, author of The Great Grown-Up Game of Make-Believe, winner of the Autumn House Press 2024 Fiction Prize
A West Point Wooing, and Other Stories
A West Point Wooing, and Other Stories is a collection of charming short stories by Clara Louise Burnham, originally published in 1899. These stories offer glimpses into the social life and romantic entanglements of characters in late 19th-century America. The title story, "A West Point Wooing," explores themes of love and duty within the context of the prestigious military academy. Burnham's writing captures the nuances of human relationships with warmth and wit. This collection provides a delightful escape to a bygone era, appealing to readers who enjoy historical fiction and heartwarming narratives. The stories showcase Burnham's talent for creating relatable characters and engaging plots, making this collection a timeless read.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Short Stories
The genre and style of Derryl G. Berry's "Short Stories" is quite varied. Some are straightforward, first- or third- persons POV. Some are off-the-wall perspectives and musings. Some are "circular" in that they begin and end pretty much at the same point, e.g., "Let's Act Normal." Many of Derryl's short stories began as an idea that came to him while hiking and were fleshed out later, e.g., "Five Shots," and "The Empty Hook." Others were triggered by a passing comment, e.g., "Who in the World Is Jimmy Kent?" A few have a touch of biographical near reality. Others are plain fantasy, e.g., "Misspelled" and "Kong Is Dead." A few are retellings of biblical stories. Others, Derryl doesn't know from where the ideas came.
Toad's Tools
Toad's father enjoyed helping the other animals in the forest. He often told Toad, "Nothing feels as good as helping others." His father passed on and now his tools are Toad's tools, and Toad wants to feel good helping others, just like his father. Join Toad on one day in the forest as he tries to live up to his father's example.
The Butterfly Effect and Other Short Stories
These twenty short stories, set in Ireland, Britain, France, and America, offer eloquent glimpses into joy, frustration, and pain. They explore the many layers of human experience, capturing our flaws, desires, and vulnerabilities with striking clarity. Each story is crafted with precision, emotional depth, and poetic insight. The characters reveal behaviours that range from generous to mean-spirited, reflecting the full spectrum of what it means to be human. This collection shows how often our hopes are derailed by cruel twists of fate. Life, as these stories reveal, can be filled with irony and unexpected outcomes.
The Child Within Me
From the whispers of our souls, Let the inner child come alive, Guiding us to hearts so pure, As we dance through trials and strive. Through generations, we will heal, Ending suffering with each prayer we send, A legacy of love we extend, A bond with God that knows no end. With open hearts, we seek to mend, Passing healing like a gentle breeze, In unity, our spirits blend, For a brighter world, our souls find ease. We ll nurture dreams in starlit skies, Keep joy and hope forever near, For in this life, our spirits rise, Embracing the light, casting out fear. So when we leave this earthly shore, To meet God in that sacred space, We ll stand in love, with hearts of grace, Saying, I came with the same purity You sent me with.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
The celebration of Christmas has nothing to do with a fictional character in a red suit, or flying reindeer. It is about the birth and life of Jesus Christ. He is the true reason for the season. Now you can read about His life in an illustrated and poetic form that touches on many of the important aspects of His life. Parents will want to share this story with their children and with their friends.
Read My Shorts
From the winner of the 2025 Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival Flash Fiction Competition (Western Australia) comes an eclectic collection of stories that explore the strange, tender, and often darkly funny aspects of everyday lives.In Read My Shorts, Pete Mitchell, author of Darwin's Wake, offers sharply observed glimpses into the lives of the lost, the hopeful, the disillusioned and the quietly defiant. A timid accountant finds love at a heavy metal concert, mates mull over their simple lives and a future society struggles to exist without plastics. Each story captures a moment where perspectives shift with intriguing consequences.With wit, compassion, and a flair for the unexpected, these stories reflect the beauty and absurdity of being human. Whether you're in the mood to laugh, cringe, or quietly nod in recognition, Read My Shorts will leave you thinking.'A captivating collection of short stories that will take you on a wild ride through the human experience. I laughed and cried from the first page.'
Martha's Daughter
Martha's Daughter is the brilliant and influential author David Haynes's first short story collection and the first time that Haynes's stories have ever been assembled in one volume. Steeped in everyday gossip and lives, this collection ranges from the magically real life of a city's crumbling superhero to a rundown motel whose long-term guests are lucky to call home. In the titular novella the first hours are chronicled after Cynthia finds out her mother has died. What we learn is that Cynthia is a woman who has been bullied by her mother's overbearing opinions, her disdain for difference, her respectability politics, and her outdated beliefs about how men and women should relate to one another. Martha's death is less a catalyst for Cynthia's grief than an opportunity to free herself of a burden too long endured. The sixth in McSweeney's Of the Diaspora series, Martha's Daughter is another record in David's oeuvre, of the people and places he's been recording since the beginning of his career, some thirty years ago. With its full-circle connection to Haynes's previous novels, Martha's Daughter is guaranteed to enthrall longtime fans and new readers alike.
The Tales Of Chekhov
Discover the poignant and insightful world of Anton Chekhov in "The Tales of Chekhov, Volume 3." This collection showcases Chekhov's mastery of the short story form, presenting a series of narratives that explore the complexities of human nature and the nuances of Russian society in the late 19th century. Translated by Constance Black Garnett, these stories capture the essence of Chekhov's distinctive style, blending humor, pathos, and keen observation. From tales of unrequited love and social satire to portraits of everyday life, Chekhov's stories resonate with timeless themes of disillusionment, longing, and the search for meaning. "The Tales of Chekhov" offers a window into the human condition, inviting readers to reflect on the universal experiences that connect us all. This volume is a must-read for lovers of classic literature and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human heart.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Sun Inventions and Perfumes of Carthage
Teresa Porzecanski brings a fresh new voice to the Jewish Latin America series. She writes from Uruguay about the multicultural experience of Jewish immigrants in Montevideo. Her exotic characters from Europe, Africa, and the New World bring together and struggle with the mixture of Sephardic, Ashkenazic, and Latin American cultures. Porzecanski is herself the daughter of immigrants who came to Montevideo in 1926 from the Baltics and Syria. Sun Inventions, her first novel, published in 1982, is a semiautobiographical story of an immigrant family from the multifaceted perspective of a woman who is an academic, a mother, a writer searching for meaning in the universe. Perfumes of Carthage (1994) tells the stories of Lunita Mualdeb and her Sephardic family and Angela Tejera [Weaver], whose name was given to her African grandfather by a Brazilian slave owner.
Nickel and Dime
"I'm outta here! I got a future!" crows Roberto Silva when he is down-sized out of his job as a security guard at a bank in Oakland. But Roberto's future isn't the one he was looking forward to. This is the 1990s, and upward mobility in the city requires resources that Roberto is short of. Before he knows it, he is living in an abandoned quonset hut and then on the street, where he crosses paths with poet Silver Mendez, a survivor of the 1960s whose luck has run out, and Gus Hernandez, a compadre from his days at the bank. The ups and downs of the lives of men who are always looking for a way to earn a cup of coffee with plenty of sugar and cream, their desperate ingenuity, their hunger, their dauntless optimism have never been brought to life as vividly as in this sweet, sad, funny trio of interlocking stories by one of America's most original writers."An utterly distinct literary experience. No one writes like Gary Soto. Rather than falling into the trap of politicizing his subjects--blaming Anglos, blaming the church, blaming anyone at all--he simply presents the lives of these three men with emphasis on the minute details, the micro-decisions, the often-perverse impulses that actually comprise so much of human existence. By doing so, he achieves universality."--Gerald Haslam
The Collected Stories of Moacyr Scliar
From Brazil's most distinguished and important Jewish writer comes this anthology comprised of six collections: in The Carnival of the Animals, Scliar uses political allegory to convey what was normally censored during the height of repression under Brazil's military regime. These tragicomic stories reveal Scliar's interest in issues of oppression, persecution, holocaust, mutability, and the interplay between good and evil. The Ballad of the False Messiah develops the theme of postponement in the sense that for Jews redemption is always postponed in a vain wait for the Messiah. In The Tremulous Earth Scliar explores cruelty and violence in the tenuous lives of his characters, but his experience as a medical doctor informs his compassion for human frailty. Scliar expands his use of fantasy and magical realism in The Dwarf in the Television Set in topics that range from Jewish prophets to marital revenge. The Enigmatic Eye has been described as a masterpiece evoking the enigmas of art and life, and in Van Gogh's Ear, Scliar uses dark and subtle humor in a collection of biblical parables. Here witchcraft, magic, conundrums, and labyrinths are shown to be part of everyday life. A final autobiographical piece ties the collections together in which Scliar discusses his membership in Jewish, medical, gaucho, and Brazilian "tribes."These powerful stories, individually humorous, bleak, or haunting, together bring a compelling voice of the Jewish Diaspora to the wide readership it deserves.
The Short Stories of Fray Angelico Chavez
This anthology is the first collection of fiction published since 1957 by one of New Mexico's leading men of letters.
The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival and Other Western Stories
Tom Bishop's collection of stories is divided into slices of time and takes place in the northern Rocky Mountains. The earliest story is set during a brutal winter in which the men of a Lakota clan follow a vision of an elk herd to find meat to save their starving family.The next group of tales take place one hundred years later, in the early twentieth century. A country storekeeper uses defanged rattlesnakes to guard his business; dealings with a bootlegger cost a man his friends, his home, and his job; and deer hunters at the height of the Great Depression go out in search of "Hoover Steaks."At the end of World War II, an illegal quail hunt costs the host rancher over a thousand dollars when a hunter is killed and his widow demands restitution. In "The Fragile Commandment" an abusive farmer is killed by his stepdaughter with a pitchfork, and "Someone's Dog" is the story of a trout fisherman who finds a dog by his favorite stream. The title story, "The Great Mormon Cricket Fly-Fishing Festival" involves trout fisherman who want to bring in enough money through their festival to pay for a weekend fishing party.Regardless of the time period, the people, situations, dilemmas, and problems found in these stories replicate those of the twenty-first century.
The Algarrobos Quartet
The Algarrobos Quartet is a series of four short, enigmatic novels set on the northern pampas of Argentina. In the town of Algarrobos, the rules of the game are mysterious, and terrible events occur without warning. Unexpected deaths remain unexplained. Soldiers attack innocent workers. Pampered doves die brutally as well, and a Biblical flood threatens to wash everything away. Most people in Algarrobos don't know why these things happen, and they don't want to know.Puzzles and multiple meanings abound in Goloboff's writing. A central character is known as El Negro though he isn't black. In three of these Argentine Jewish novels only a few characters identify themselves as Jews. There are assimilated Jews, an old, broken-down Jewish cemetery, and some stories of the Jewish past. The fourth novel deals with Italian-Argentine anarchists.These novels are a transmutation of reality, a veil, a facade. Goloboff's prose takes on multiple meanings, and the translation masterfully captures his use of language to evoke enigmas that challenge us to understand both the stories and how chaos and the unexpected engulf us all.
One Hell of a Holiday
Eight otherwordly short stories of love, loss, deities and demons. Follow Death as he gets lost in the Scottish highlands, where his next victim has gone missing. Go on holiday with a demon who can't seem to get away from an irritating human. Debate the ethics of possession with a doctor. Spread some much needed love with two deities. Prepare for a royal wedding that goes wrong in just the way the King wished for. Freeze time for a discussion between immortal frenemies at sea. Mourn the loss of a lover who is still, technically, here. Join two siblings as they discover an ancient artefact that isn't what it seems.
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald - A Short Story
David Rudolph and Jacky Baker are a couple of the best commercial fishermen around the Oregon coast. The two men get lucky and sign aboard the two-hundred-twenty-foot fishing vessel, the Edmund Fitzgerald II. Sailing with a crew of ten, the ship sails through radioactive waters in the Pacific that had been carried by currents from the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Using the latest and most sensitive Geiger counters available for underwater use, the captain of the Fitzgerald II is determined that his catch will be safe for human consumption. After a day full of good catches, however, the good ship and crew encounter something they didn't expect. Something in the water. Something big. Inspired by the hit Gordon Lightfoot song, the short story by T. M. Bilderback, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald is full of great sci-fi excitement!
Something to Look Forward to
A tapestry of joyful and startling interconnected stories that celebrate how people from all across America cope with adversity and unexpected changes in a confusing world--from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe Fannie Flagg once said that what the world needs now is a good laugh. And that is what she gives us in these warmhearted, always surprising stories about people who are finding clever ways to deal with the curveballs life sometimes throws at us. Velma in Kansas, a loving great-grandmother, struggles to bridge generational gaps with her family. We cheer for Helen, in Ithaca, New York, who takes an audacious course of action when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. In Bent Fork, Wyoming; in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in Tucson, Arizona; and in towns and cities all across America, people figure out inventive ways to overcome obstacles to happiness. And in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Special Agent Frawley is studying the mysteries of being human from an original perspective. With her imagination, humor, and great understanding of the human heart, Fannie Flagg holds a mirror up to the foibles, ingenuity, and imagination of people, inspiring us to laugh at the sometimes eccentric, sometimes brilliant ways people cope with, and ultimately prevail over, the challenges of modern life.
Never Too Late
A man gets more than he bargained for on a holiday to Sydney, thanks to a crafty seagull; one woman discovers it's not just meals she's delivering on the first day of her new job; in 1965, music, friendship and love collide; she is Ray of Sunshine by name and ray of sunshine by nature for the residents at the nursing home on Evergreen Road; one little girl's life is changed forever when her teacher alters the marks on a report card ...In this wonderful collection of short stories, Ruth Philbrick shows us why it's never too late to find love, make friends or take on a new lease of life where anything is possible. Never Too Late is a charming mix of humour, heartache and endearment. Filled with heart, the characters and their stories will be remembered long after the last page is turned.
Big Idea
Much of life's adventures are lost as we grow into a life ruled by deadlines, gadgets and other indulgences. Big Idea is a lightbulb moment that hit me years back that I needed to creatively tell the untold stories of rural and urban living in Africa. These short stories are a brilliant way to teach you and your child how to write their stories, not others' creatively. I remember a time when teachers would ask us to write about our school holidays and I would battle to create an alternative story in the city with all sorts of wonderful treats and visits to theme parks. What I lost then was a chance to tell the beauty of my holidays which had actually been spent at my parents rural village home. I hope we never lose these stories again and learn to write. If you have a story to share, check the contact details provided and you may just be part of the next in the series.
