Short Story: THE NOTORIOUS JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAS COUNTY

by Mark Twain

The story of Jim Smiley, a chronic gambler, and his amazing frog, as told by the chatty old Simon Wheeler.

Really, does it matter what the subject matter is when you're reading Mark Twain? His characterizations pull you in so completely that he can talk about anything and you're mesmerized. It's somewhat disturbing that his writing is so charming that a lengthy paragraph about a nasty dog fight almost seemed quaint. That one objectionable (to me) paragraph aside, this is an adorably crafted, silly story.

To read this story online, click here.

This completes the 2008 Short Story Challenge. Yippee!!

Short Story: BLUE WINDS DANCING

by Tom Whitecloud

"Blue Winds Dancing" is the story of a young native American trapped living between two worlds, as a college [student] and a part of contemporary "white" society, as well as an Indian, a member of an ancient society. (Wikipedia)

This is the most beautiful short story I have every read. If they were all like this, I would have become a convert long ago. It just so happened that it's a bit of a Christmas story, so the timing of my coming across it was nice. But the real attraction for me was the torment the narrator feels over being accepted by "civilization" and the need to stay connected to his Indian roots, which are viewed as uncivil, even savage, but ultimately make him much happier.

As a person who is bothered deeply by our consumer-driven society but spoiled by many of the conveniences, I took much of the underlying commentary on that to heart. How much is enough and what is most important in our lives are questions we all must face every day. And I have a feeling if we were completely honest with ourselves, less would be more than we would ever need to be truly happy.


To read "Blue Winds Dancing" on line, click here.

Short Story: A WORN PATH

by Eudora Welty

A poor, elderly black woman endures various hardships on a trip into town.

Once I came to understand why the woman was making her difficult trip, I had to go back and skim the story again. Her little battles with natural elements, her encounter with the hunter, even her very name, Phoenix Jackson, took on new meaning. Under certain circumstances, even the smallest of deeds become acts of heroism.

You can read "A Worn Path" here.

Short Story: THE DESTRUCTORS

by Graham Greene

A group of local hoodlums create a plan to completely destroy a man's home while he is out of town for the weekend.

The idea that stuck with me as I read this story was how sad I was that this home that just barely survived the war is now being completely demolished by these young boys, and their only motive is that the house is beautiful. They have nothing against the owner. They only want to make a name for their gang. And in the end, the lorry driver who unknowingly partakes in the final act of wreckage laughs as he stands next to the devastated homeowner and says, "You have to admit, it's pretty funny." I wanted to smack him.

A person could spend a lot of time mulling over this story and thinking about the things we do out of boredom or a need for attention. Or even simply for mindless entertainment. In our own search for meaning or importance in our own lives we can be completely oblivious to what it does to someone else. Or maybe we just don't care.

Short Story: UP IN MICHIGAN

by Ernest Hemingway

"Up In Michigan" is a three-page story about a crush a woman has on one of the men in a tiny rural town. One night the man gets very drunk, and he takes advantage of her confused emotions.

This is one of those stories that reminds me why I've not been a fan of short stories. It's like a minor scene that needs more . . . something. But then again, I feel that way about a lot of short stories. I openly admit to my failings as a short story reader. However, I think anyone who has had an -- encounter, shall we call it? -- an encounter that ended with feelings of sadness and smallness and bewilderment will admit a stab of heartache even while asking themselves, "So, now what?" Hmmm. Perhaps it doesn't need that something after all.

If I'm not mistaken, this was Hemingway's very first published story, so it probably wasn't the best place to start. But I will continue exploring his work in the future, both novels and short stories, and see where it takes me.

Short Story: BARN BURNING

by William Faulkner

It is stories like these that truly showcase my non-Literature major credentials. I read Barn Burning. I didn't get it. I fell asleep while reading it. Quality analysis not forthcoming. Sorry.

I read this during the Read-A-Thon, and I had a few commenters tell me not to feel bad. It was Faulkner after all. :-) I'm glad it wasn't just me, but I'm not going to blame Faulkner in general. After all, I did read A Rose For Emily last year, and I thought that was a fantastic, creepy little story. I will not be giving up on Faulkner, but this story did nothing for me at all. Perhaps I'll give it another shot later using a study guide.

Short Story: GOD SEES THE TRUTH BUT WAITS

by Leo Tolstoy

In "God Sees The Truth But Waits", a man is imprisoned after he is wrongfully accused of murder. This is a emotional story of acceptance and forgiveness -- acceptance of the failings of yourself and others and the strength to forgive even when understanding is beyond your grasp. All I could think about when I finished this story was something my late Aunt Cathy used to often say, "God always answers your prayers. It's just that sometimes the answer is 'no'."

Read "God Sees The Truth But Waits" here.

THE DAY I ATE WHATEVER I WANTED

by Elizabeth Berg



I must begin this review with a full confession: Elizabeth Berg is my aunt. I adore her and I want to be her when I grow up. :-) There. The secret is out.

Beth's new book of short stories, The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: And Other Small Acts of Liberation, was released yesterday, and I immediately acquired a copy for myself and sat down to read the title story. Anyone who has ever been on a diet will relate to the narrator's defiant act of hookey from her Weight Watcher's meeting. And the giggly elation of eating all day with no boundaries! And, most likely, that final unfulfilled feeling.

Then I moved on to the second story about a middle-aged woman who unexpectedly comes face to face with her first love. Remember all the amazing feelings your first love was able to conjure up? Would you still feel that way now?

I have another confession to make. I have only read three of Beth's books. Why? Because she's so real that it hurts. I love Beth's writing. I always feel like we're having a private conversation when I read her work, and these little stories are no exception. It's like gossiping with a really funny friend. A really funny friend who is acutely aware of what makes us human, aware of the insecurities and tears beneath the laughter. She doesn't always point it out directly, but you know she knows. And you love her for it, because she makes it okay to be imperfect.

I only read the first two stories in this collection, because I want to stretch these little nuggets of fun and real life out for a while. I'm going to laugh out loud, and I know for a fact she's going to make me cry. And I'm going to feel vulnerable, empowered, ridiculous, smart and okay just the way I am. Thanks, Beth!

Lezlie

Updated -- May 16, 2008

I read them all now. My favorites were "Rain" (keep your hanky handy), and "How to Make an Apple Pie". I could just picture that lady writing the letter!

Short Stories

I've never been much of a short story reader, but for a long time I have wanted to learn more about them and to develop an appreciation. I joined the Short Story Challenge just for that purpose. It provided a reason for me to interrupt my steady flow of novels for brief moments and begin my short story education. The couple that I've read so far, I've really enjoyed and would like to share them with those of you who have read the reviews and would like to read the stories for yourself. Therefore, I have added links to online texts of the two stories I have reviewed so far and will continue to do so for those that are available. If you've already read my reviews, feel free to come back and read the stories themselves and let me know what you thought of them! Here are links back to the original two for your convenience:

"Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison
"Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Lezlie

MISS BRILL

by Katherine Mansfield

What is it about some short stories that they can put you in your place and make you feel like a complete heel without ever directly pointing a finger? "Miss Brill" is a three page vignette of a woman people-watching at a public band performance in a park. She goes there every week and enjoys the miniature "performances" unfolding around her, listening in on snippets of the lives of others, smiling and envisioning wonderful things for those she sees. We've all done that. And we've all passed our snarky little judgments on those we've deemed unworthy for no reason other than we didn't like the way they looked. But guess what? Life is not a private performance. The others we're watching are watching us, too. How many kind-hearted Miss Brill's would I have made cry if they could have heard my thoughtless remarks?

I closed the book on this gorgeous story feeling thoroughly chastised. Once again I am reminded of all the work I have ahead of me if I really want to be the kind of person I would admire.

Lezlie

Read the story for free on line! Click here.

BATTLE ROYAL by Ralph Ellison

This short story later became the first chapter in Ellison's novel Invisible Man. I read Invisible Man many years ago, but if I was as disturbed and uncomfortable about it as I was this story, I have managed to successfully block it out. It's so hard for me to understand a world where black people are treated worse than animals; or any other race or nationality for that matter. I know our country's history is appalling in that respect, but I, thankfully, have been insulated from being a personal witness. I don't come from a family or community that harbors those types of prejudice. It was always something that I just heard about, that happened on the fringes, some time and place far from me. This small glimpse into a hate-filled society made me ashamed and renewed my personal commitment to embrace and respect people and cultures different from my own. This seems especially poignant in this age when the word "terrorist" is bandied about so frivolously. People need to search their hearts and discover if their own wants and needs are blinding them to the humanity of others.

Lezlie

Read this short story free online! Click here.

2008 Short Story Challenge

I need my head examined. Didn't I say just yesterday that the two (two!!) challenges I joined yesterday would be it? Here's my new thinking: I'm going to join 100 challenges this year. That should cover any other lapses in judgment I may have over the next 11 months. :-) As if I need to explain myself to other book addicts, here is my reason for joining the Short Story Challenge: Sometimes a person just wants to read something really short. Enough said.

Since I'm a short story extreme novice, I will choose Option #1 -- 10 short stories by 10 different authors. I won't include the Edgar Allan Poe story I read earlier this month, as I was not officially in the Challenge at the time. I will, however, list the ones I read here:

Completed: 10/10 as of Dec.. 21, 2008 **FINISHED**

1. "Battle Royal" by Ralph Ellison
2. "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield
3. "The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted" by Elizabeth Berg
4. "God Sees The Truth But Waits" by Leo Tolstoy
5. "Barn Burning" by William Faulkner
6. "Up In Michigan" by Ernest Hemingway
7. "The Destructors" by Graham Greene
8. "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty
9. "Blue Winds Dancing" by Tom Whitecloud
10. "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain

This will be fun!!
Lezlie