What's next on our Short Story menu?

Chris OConnor · Mon May 22, 2017 8:29 pm

Please suggest some short stories you'd like us all to read and talk about next. Just make sure the story is available for free online. That's our only real rule with short stories. The rest is common sense.

Chris OConnor · Mon May 22, 2017 8:40 pm

I see that DB Roy had said the following in the A Descent into the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe - a discussion forum...


	Quote: I would like to discuss Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket" at some point--another seafaring tale but certainly one of the most bizarre ever written. Would anyone care to discuss it?

So we have our first suggestion. ;-)

KindaSkolarly · Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:02 pm

So is there a short story for August? I don't have one in mind...would like to read one that's new to me.

Cattleman · Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:30 pm

Being in the mood for something lighter, I will suggest "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry (William Sidney Porter). It can be found free on the Internet.

Chris OConnor · Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:38 am

Cattleman, can you post a link or two to where we can read The Ransom of Red Chief for free on the web?

Chris OConnor · Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:38 am

OK, found it! http://fiction.eserver.org/short/ransom ... chief.html

Chris OConnor · Fri Jul 21, 2017 10:39 am

By Monday we might have some more suggestions. If not we'll go with Cattleman's suggestion. I'm leaving town for the weekend.

KindaSkolarly · Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:12 pm

Red Chief would be fine with me. I've read all of O'Henry's works but it's been a while. Everyone should become acquainted with the story because it's used as the basis for so many movies. You see the premise pop up quite often. Funny stuff.

And here's a funny one I stumbled across yesterday. Sci-fi, only 3 pages long. "They're Made Out of Meat," by Terry Bisson. Not recommending this one for discussion, just wanted to point it out:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid= ... IzOTgwZWZm

Cattleman · Sun Jul 23, 2017 9:45 am

I thought I had read "They're Made Out of Meat" before, and after reading it on the link, I was right. Indeed an different type of SF. Also, the story's ednote references another story by Terry Biffon, "Bears Discover Fire." This one won both Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Short Story (and other awards as well). Check it out.

KindaSkolarly · Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:41 pm

Thanks for pointing out the story mentioned in the endnote, "Bears Discover Fire." I just finished reading it:

http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/ficti ... over-fire/

Excellent story. Lots of aspects to it that could be discussed. Like the significance of fixing tires. Very nice story.

Chris OConnor · Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:43 am

I'm going to create discussion threads for all 3 of these short stories right now. :bananadance:

Keep the suggestions and feedback on suggestions rolling in! :appl:

Forum rules

What's next on our Short Story menu? Tweet This Topic

Who is online