Riverside Anthology of Short Fiction: Convention and Innovation

by David Galdwin

Representing a complete course in short fiction, this anthology of 99 chronologically arranged short stories offers a unique balance of selections from different periods, forms, cultures, and voices, often reflecting the interplay between convention and innovation. Tracing the development of the short story from its roots in myth, fable, and fairy tale, the anthology includes a variety of popular genres as well, providing a solid foundation for examining the evolution of the short story. Enlightening sidebars present seven short essays on sub-genres and criticism and useful pedagogy includes headnotes and questions accompanying each selection.

Genres: Classics

1235 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 1997

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required reading for Introduction to Literature. Year 1, Semester 1, Latrobe University.

Currently reading/studying - Gothic/horror - Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" (pp. 104-107), Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" (pp. 738-745), Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People" (pp. 773-788) and Octavio Paz's "The Blue Bouquet" (pp. 895-897). Attempting a 1800 word essay...Stories of the macabre, the fantastic, the mysterious, the grotesque challenge 'normal' or 'conventional' understandings of human nature. Discuss in relation to at least two of the stories studied this semester.

Plot and Narrative II - Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat" (pp. 337-355), Eudora Welty's "Why I Live at the P.O." (pp. 711-721), Grace Paley's "The Loudest Voice" (pp. 811-816) and Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" (pp. 1011-1022). Short 450 word exercise...Choose one of these stories and describe the way the author explores the voice of the narrator: What is conveyed? Why do we need to see "beneath" what is said?...I have chosen "Cathedral".

Plot and Narrative I - O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" (pp. 436-441), Agatha Christie's "The Case of the Perfect Maid" (pp. 545-554), W. Somerset Maugham's "The Letter" (pp. 555-579) and Margaret Atwood's "Happy Endings" (pp. 1059-1061).

Modernist Story - James Joyce's "Araby" (pp. 445-450), Virginia Woolf's "Kew Gardens" (pp. 493-499) and Katherine Mansfield's " The Daughters of the Late Colonel" (pp. 499-514). Short 450 word exercise...choose two sentences from one story and relate it to the theme of the story...I have chosen "Araby".

Fairy Tales - Charles Perrault's "The Blue Beard" (pp.15-19), Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" (pp.840-853), Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber" (pp.967-995), and Margaret Atwood's "Bluebeard's Egg"( pp.1039-1059). I studied The Blue Beard and Bluebeard's Egg last semester. Attempting a 1200 word essay using "Bluebeard" and "The Bloody Chamber" for my argument that traditional myths and fairy tales endorse patriarchal values.

Classic Short Story II - Anton Chekhov's "The Lady With The Dog" (pp. 364-376). I really enjoyed this love story. It was so easy to relate to. We were required to write 450 words about the conclusion and to relate the last paragraph back to the main story...not easy to do.

Classic Short Story I - Herman Melville's "Bartley, the Scrivener" (pp. 191-217). A bit too long winded in his descriptions for my taste...not too sure what the author was trying to convey...our lecturer suggests that it is about originals and copies; of life, people, views, documents...

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fucking good anthology of short fiction that presents most of the greats, with an occasional odd choice like Joyce's 'Araby' instead of anything else in Dubliners.

Also presents a semi-decent overview of the evolution of the form to boot.

[Simone Hawkins]

I greatly enjoyed the selection of short stories, in particular the Edgar Allen Poe additions [The Murders in the Rue Morgue & The Tell-tale Heart].