Those nice people at Beyond The Margins have just posted an article on how publishers prefer novels to short story collections, so I thought I’d list out a few of my favourite short fictions, by way of a share toy:
Moongazer by Nuala Ní Chonchúir (WTD, go to page 48).
Then there’s Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, which I love in part because they made a film out of a shorty, and that’s something. First published in The New Yorker, later extended in her book, Close Range: Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories.
There’s also a whole ruck of stories I like by Valerie O’Riordan (hold your breath for The Runt), Tania Hershman (48 dogs), Christopher Allen (Pretty), Ramon Collins (Sometimes) and more.
There’s another one, about an anchorite/anchoress, written a few years ago. I think it won something. Anyhow, I’ve lost it. If you know of a good shorty about an anchorite/ess, please let me know — I’d love to read it again.
Mine are “Rita Hayward & the Shawshank Redemption,” which was first published by Stephen King as a novella in “Different Seasons” along with “The Body” which was later made into the film “Stand by Me”. I’d rather read this Mr. King than the Mr. King of “It”.
Interesting titles! Will have to have a closer look at those for the Christmas list… :)
Thank you so much for mentioning “Pretty”, Tracey! Hope you’re doing well. :)
Chris, you’re welcome, it’s a brilliant story.
Thank you so much for including “Pretty”, Tracey! Hope you’re doing well.
I could add so many short stories, I don’t even know where to start. How about “The Model” by Bernard Malamud? “Rosso Malpelo” by Giovanni Verga? “The Falling Girl” by Dino Buzzati? “A Change Of Plan” by Bruce Jay Friedman? “Near Extinct Birds Of The Central Cordillera” by Ben Fountain?
Tony, thanks, I’ve not read any of those so will check them out. Cheers!