A short story is more than just an abbreviated novel, even though it is defined as “a relatively brief fictional narrative in prose”.* It’s more than a sketch or a tale. A short story has a beginning, a middle and an end; and it often reveals its main character through actions. Another definition describes a short story as a narrative work that can be read in one sitting. Typical short stories range in length from 500 to 12,000 words.The oldest short story collection from 4000 B.C. comes to us from the ancient Egyptians. Anton Chekov, Edgar Allen Poe and James Joyce are major authors of the genre. The American short story developed its current form at the beginning of the 20thcentury in the hands of O. Henry (William Sidney Porter). Collections of short stories by a single author are found in our Fiction section under the author’s last name. Anthologies, or compilations of works by numerous writers, are in Literature (the 800s).
Book reviewers, literary critics and librarians tend to like short stories more than members of the general reading public do. But this fall a number of new short story collections have received starred reviews. They are worth a look. With a busy holiday season fast approaching you might find that shorter works fit into your hectic schedule. Click on the link below to check for specific titles and availability.
http://lakeforest.bibliocommons.com/list/show/80948099_lflstaff/96199120
*(from A Handbook to Literature by William Harmon and C. Hugh Holman)
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