Well, 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is a classic adult short novel. It's about a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a party, loses it, and then spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out at the end that the original necklace was a fake. 'The Lady with the Dog' by Anton Chekhov is another. It focuses on an extramarital affair between a man and a woman and their complex feelings towards each other. And 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a gripping short novel that delves into the mind of a madman who murders an old man because of his 'evil eye'.
One popular adult short novel is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a heartwarming story about a young couple's selfless love during Christmas. They each sacrifice their most precious possession to buy a gift for the other. Another is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor, which delves into themes of morality and fate in a rather dark and thought - provoking way. Also, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a well - known short novel that explores the mental state of a woman, making it a significant piece in feminist literature.
One popular young adult short novel is 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton. It tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his gang, the Greasers, and their struggles with a rival group. Another is 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle, which is a science - fiction adventure about a girl named Meg who travels through time and space to rescue her father. 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry is also well - known. It's set in a seemingly perfect but actually very controlled society, and a young boy named Jonas starts to question the world he lives in.
There are various adult romance short stories. 'Outlander' has elements of romance set in a historical context. The relationship between Claire and Jamie is full of passion. 'A Walk to Remember' is a sweet and sad love story that many people love. It shows how love can change a person and how two people from different worlds can come together.
A great adult fantasy short story is 'The Sandman' by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It features a rather strange and magical character of the Sandman. Angela Carter's 'The Bloody Chamber' also falls into this category, with its reimagining of classic fairy tales in a more adult and often darker context. Additionally, Ray Bradbury's 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' is a wonderful short story that combines elements of fantasy, horror, and the passage of time, set in a small town with a big mystery.
There are quite a few young adult short stories worth mentioning. For instance, 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes. It follows the journey of a man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experimental treatment. It's a deeply emotional and thought - provoking story. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is also popular. It leaves the ending up to the reader, making it very engaging for young adults who like to think and debate.
One popular adult fantasy short story is 'The Last Unicorn' by Peter S. Beagle. It tells the story of a unicorn on a quest to find out what happened to the rest of her kind. Another is 'Gormenghast' by Mervyn Peake, which has a richly detailed and rather dark, fantastical setting. And 'The Paper Menagerie' by Ken Liu is also well - known, it beautifully combines elements of family, memory and magic in a short form.
One popular young adult short story is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a thought - provoking story that reveals the dark side of human nature within a small community. Another is 'All Summer in a Day' by Ray Bradbury, which tells a poignant story about a girl on Venus where the sun rarely shines. 'Eleven' by Sandra Cisneros is also well - known, exploring the complex feelings of a young girl on her eleventh birthday.
Well, in adult short stories, a frequent theme is dealing with loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, a job, or a friendship. This often leads to a character's growth or a change in their perspective. Another theme is family. The relationships within a family, be it between parents and children or siblings, can be explored in many ways. There might be conflicts, reconciliations, or simply the everyday joys and sorrows of family life. And then there's the theme of change. Adults often face various changes in their lives, and short stories can capture how they adapt or resist these changes.
Some well - known hot adult short stories include 'The Unexpected Love'. In this story, the main character experiences love in a very unexpected way. It could be a chance meeting or a sudden realization. 'The Passionate Journey' is also popular. It follows the journey of a person in search of love and passion. And 'The Red - Hot Romance' which is full of intense emotions and passionate moments between the characters.
The short story 'All Summer in a Day' by Ray Bradbury can also be considered in this category. It depicts a world where the sun only comes out once every seven years on Venus, and the children's reaction to this rare event. It shows a rather dark and dystopian view of a future world.
One popular one is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a short but very touching story about a young couple and their selfless love. Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which is a thought - provoking piece.