Group Read/Discussion

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

The short story: baklava, while the novel is a layer cake.

A series of thin, delicious layers of pastry, butter, honey and crushed pistachios. Simple, perfect, so sweet that eating one piece is completely satisfying. The layer cake is mountainous in comparison.

What could be better than eating a piece of baklava once a week and talking about how great it was with a bunch of people who also love baklava?

What if the baklava is free? (Sorry, no free refills on the Turkish coffee.)

I therefore propose that each week, those who have the time might read a free online version of the below list of short stories.

(Anything I can't find I will scan (making sure to carefully skirt copyright laws), post up to my MobileMe account and provide URLs for.)

I found what I think is a good mix of stories to begin with. I am going for international flavor, but also the finest examples of the form. I also tried to fit in a few surprises - for example, while Gift of the Magi is the obvious O. Henry choice, I thought we'd try some of his less well-known, but equally excellent work -- and I thought the Roald Dahl was perfectly perfect.

If there are other suggestions I'd love to hear them and add to the list, and anyone who wants to help moderate please do feel free (Mo... you know you wanna...)

So, starting next Monday March 16, we will begin with Chekhov...

See the Story List post to get a list of stories, dates and URLs.

[Dan, deadpan man]

I like this, consider me on board.

[Ben, uneasy in a position of power; a yorkshire pudding]

this is a good idea. here are some stories i like a lot, for what it's worth:

donald barthelme's "the school":
http://www.npr.org/programs/death/rea...

tobias wolff's "bullet in the brain":
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:...

leo tolstoy's "three hermits":
http://www.online-literature.com/tols...

theodore sturgeon's "the man who lost the sea":
http://fasterthanfashion.blogspot.com...

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

Consider them added.

I am going to try to do only one American per month, even though it's what I know best... so thank you!

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

you know i'm keen on this, and i will do anything to promote short story reading! i also have a few favourites i can rustle up that are non-americans a little later on for you.. just let me know when. for example, katherine mansfield is a peach. :)

[Jennifer, hot tamale]

love this idea! i'm in - i'll try to find some too

[Brian, just a child's imagination]

I'm most definitely in! And here's some more suggestions...

Sherwood Anderson's The Egg
http://www.online-literature.com/sher...

Shirley Jackson's The Lottery
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/...

Anton Chekhov's The Huntsman
http://chekhov2.tripod.com/030.htm

M. R. James' The Mezzotint
http://www.fadl12200.pwp.blueyonder.c...

[Patty, free birdeaucrat]

me! i'm in!

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

I'm keeping a running word doc with all of the suggestions. I will shuffle them around to make sure we don't do too many of one century or nationality at a time but thank you SO MUCH for all the great adds... I had forgotten Shirley... and Barthelme... before we start I will do a longer, more formal list that we can add to, and each story will have its own folder.

[Bonita]

I peeked at some of these stories and read Haruki Murakami’s A Poor Aunt Story. Wow. Love his voice. Love his style. Now I have a new favorite author to explore! Thank you, Shel :D I'm a big fan of the short story.

[Kerry, flame-haired janeite]

Sweet! I'm in! Especially since it's doesn't start until next week! When I realized today was Monday I got worried. . .

[Ry]

Yeah, I think I'd like to get in on this too! Here are a few suggestions!

James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:...

Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"
http://jco.usfca.edu/works/wgoing/tex...

[Martha]

Thanks, Shel, this looks great. Looking forward to Chekhov next week. I'd almost forgotten how much I love short stories until I reread Faulkner's "That Evening Sun" a couple of weeks ago. Fractured and creepy and wonderful...

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

Yay, JCO and Baldwin!

I love me some Joyce Carol Oates.

(Last week, in my writing group, I almost did the dance of joy when someone said my stuff reminded them of hers!)

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

And thank you for all of the thank you's! I am happy to finally get going on something I talked about doing at the Dork last year...!

[Michael, the Olddad]

Shel wrote: "And thank you for all of the thank you's! I am happy to finally get going on something I talked about doing at the Dork last year...!"

Good to see Master Borges on our list Shel. May I suggest we also add some Poe (Berenice anyone?) and some Jack London (so many to choose from!) If I had to pick one I'd go with "Love Of Life", but here is a good collection for you to sample;

http://www.jacklondons.net/northstori...

mm

[Esther]

Poe, definitely! I would propose The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick but I don't think it's available online for free...

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

I'll look into checking it out in the library and scanning it, and yes, I think Poe is woefully under-represented. :-)

[Esther]

If you need it, I think I have a copy. Mine might be marked up, though. Let me know...

[Patty, free birdeaucrat]

I'd love to try out some Ozick. I've been meaning to for a while!