Top 10 Famous Short Stories That Everyone Should Read

Looking for some great short stories to read? Here are 10 famous short stories that everyone should read, from classic works by authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Franz Kafka to more modern stories by authors like Haruki Murakami and George Saunders.

10 Short Stories That Will Make You Laugh, Cry, and Shiver

Short stories are a great way to escape into another world for a few hours. They can be funny, sad, thought-provoking, or suspenseful. And they can be read in a single sitting, making them perfect for busy people.

In this article, we will discuss 10 famous short stories that everyone should read. These stories are all considered classics for a reason. They are well-written and well-told, and they will stay with you long after you finish reading them.

The 10 Short Stories That Will Make You Think, Feel, and See the World in a New Way

1. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

This classic short story by Edgar Allan Poe is a suspenseful tale of murder and madness. The story is told from the perspective of a murderer who is slowly driven insane by the guilt of his crime.

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2. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

This strange and Kafkaesque story tells the tale of a man who wakes up one morning to find that he has transformed into a giant insect. The story explores themes of alienation, isolation, and the absurdity of the human condition.

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3. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

This chilling story by Shirley Jackson is a parable about the dangers of conformity and mob mentality. The story takes place in a small town where the citizens participate in an annual lottery. The winner of the lottery is stoned to death by the other townspeople.

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4. The Gift by Vladimir Nabokov

This darkly comic story by Vladimir Nabokov tells the tale of a man who is obsessed with a butterfly. The man’s obsession leads him to commit murder.

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5. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

This award-winning novel by Mark Haddon is told from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy with autism. The boy’s unique perspective allows him to see the world in a way that most people cannot.

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6. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

This post-apocalyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy tells the story of a father and son who are trying to survive in a world that has been ravaged by nuclear war. The story is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for love and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

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7. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

This collection of short stories by Tim O’Brien tells the stories of a group of American soldiers who are fighting in the Vietnam War. The stories are raw and unflinching, and they offer a glimpse into the horrors of war.

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8. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

This satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of a man who invents a new kind of ice that can destroy the world. The novel is a darkly funny look at the absurdity of the human condition.

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9. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

This short story by Shirley Jackson is a classic example of a twist ending. The story is about a small town that holds an annual lottery, but the winner of the lottery is not what you expect.

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10. The Trial by Franz Kafka

The Trial is a novel by Franz Kafka, written in 1914 and 1915 but not published until 1925, a year after his death. The novel tells the story of Josef K., a bank clerk who is arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessible authority, with the nature of his crime revealed neither to him nor to the reader. The novel is a parable of alienation and bureaucracy, and it has been interpreted in many different ways. Some critics see it as a critique of the totalitarian state, while others see it as a reflection of Kafka’s own personal struggles.

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Recap: 10 Famous Short Stories That Everyone Should Read at Least Once

These are just a few of the many famous short stories that everyone should read. Short stories are a great way to explore different genres and authors. They are also a great way to spend a few hours of your day.

So next time you are looking for something to read, pick up one of these famous short stories. You won’t be disappointed.

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