Featured Stories

Going Fishing

Going Fishing: Short story by Norma Fox MazerThis story from Norma Fox Mazer describes the emotional stress of a plus-sized senior high-schooler having trouble finding her place in the world. Ignored by boys and feeling patronized by her normal-sized family, she fantasizes about a white light that will lead her to where she can be as big and strong and loud as she was born, as she naturally is. In the meantime, she finds solace in casting out her line and watching it break through the glassy sheen of the reservoir. Themes: physical appearance, inclusiveness, alienation/loneliness, sexuality, identity, finding peace in nature.

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The Bottom-Pincher

The Bottom-Pincher: Short story by Khushwant SinghKhushwant Singh’s writing is known for its use of satire and irony in addressing controversial aspects of Indian life. This humorous story is about an admitted “bottom-watcher” who dreams of becoming a “bottom-pincher”. When he encounters a serial bottom-pincher, he becomes obsessed and stalks the man, obtaining vicarious pleasure from his exploits before succumbing to the temptation himself. The major theme is hypocrisy: the facade of respectability adopted by wealthy Indian men who might pop out for a lunchtime “nooner” or engage in other salacious activities. Additional themes: sexual assault (unwanted touching), perversion, obsession, stalking, harassment, temptation, corruption, poverty.

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Safety of Numbers

Safety of Numbers: Short story by Lucy TanOne of the appeals of this story by Lucy Tan is that versions occur in immigrant families all over the world. Parents, who have known hardship and in some cases suffered under corrupt or authoritarian regimes, find a home in a new country. There, they drive their children hard to get the best possible start in life. The children, like the protagonist in this story, don’t fully understand their parents’ experiences and rebel against the added pressure. Mutual understanding often doesn’t come until the children experience and overcome their own challenges in life… which may be too late.

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The Grandmother

The Grandmother: Short story by K. SurangkhanangI should start by saying that, as someone who spent twelve years teaching at a Thai university, this story by K. Surangkhanang is the opposite of my experience of Thai attitudes towards older family members and the aged in general. Rejected by four of her five children, a frail grandmother lives a miserable life. Forced to fend for herself selling dumplings, she walks for hours every day, facing rudeness and disrespect wherever she goes. The devout woman prays for death, hoping for a better life in her next incarnation. Themes include poverty, selfishness and ingratitude, disrespect, dignity, religious devotion.

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Nightfall

Nightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovNightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovAs once described by Isaac Asimov himself, Nightfall (is) the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness. Hailed as one of the greatest Science Fiction stories ever written it tells how, in preparation for the potential end of their civilization, a group of forward-thinking scientists have created a safe place to store their world’s accumulated knowledge and hide a select group of “survivors”. Themes: science vs superstition (cultism), having the courage of one’s convictions, sensory deprivation, insanity, mob hysteria, scientific hubris.

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Ashes for the Wind

Ashes for the Wind: Short story by Hernando TéllezIn this story by Hernando Téllez, a corrupt mayor and police in an unnamed town, aided by a local informer, are systematically expelling (and presumably taking over the land of) residents who voted against the incumbent government in recent elections. A man and his wife courageously, or foolishly depending on how you look at it, resist. When the authorities come to evict them, they lock their doors and windows… only to be burnt alive after the police torch their house. Themes include power and control, corruption, betrayal, brutality, courage and sacrifice, choices and consequences.

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The Delicate Prey

The Delicate Prey: Short story by Paul BowlesThis controversial story by Paul Bowles is not for the squeamish. Two leather merchants and their nephew set off across the Algerian desert to sell their wares. After several days a stranger fearful of bandits in the area approaches and asks to accompany them. One night, the stranger lures the merchants away from camp on the pretext of going hunting. He ambushes and shoots them, then tortures and kills the youth. The crime is discovered when the stranger tries to sell their distinctive leatherworks. Tribal justice is swift and brutal. Themes include greed, deceit, extreme violence, vengeance.

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Shadows

Shadows: Short story by Richard PeckThis Richard Peck story leaves readers with a question. A lonely child grows up in an old Louisiana plantation-house that she believes to be haunted. On turning five, she befriends the shabbily dressed spirit of a boy (Seth) that not only can talk, but also wants to learn reading, writing and basic arithmetic. As school and real friends take up more of the girl’s time, Seth stops visiting. He makes one final appearance as she prepares to leave for college, leaving her puzzled and very confused. Themes: loneliness, friendship, coming of age, alienation, literacy, the supernatural.

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