They usually have a concise yet effective plot. In 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the plot is simple but full of twists. A woman borrows a necklace to look good at a party, loses it, and spends years in poverty to replace it, only to find out the original necklace was fake. This kind of plot that can surprise the reader in a short space is often seen in top selling short stories.
One characteristic is their ability to convey deep themes in a concise manner. For example, many of them can explore complex human emotions like love, jealousy, and fear within just a few pages. Another is their diverse settings. They can be set in different time periods and places, from the cold Yukon in 'To Build a Fire' to a small village in 'The Lottery'.
One characteristic is their ability to surprise. In 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge', the ending is completely unexpected. They also often explore human nature in different ways. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' shows how a person's mental state can be affected by their environment. And they are diverse in terms of genre, from realistic to magical realism, which makes them appealing to a wide range of readers.
Many of the top - selling 2017 fiction books had strong themes. For example, books like 'The Handmaid's Tale' had themes of female oppression and resistance. They also had engaging characters. In 'Big Little Lies', the complex and flawed characters made the story interesting. And most of them were well - written, with good pacing and descriptive language.
Well - developed characters are also common. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the main character's descent into madness is vividly portrayed. You can really feel her frustration and the slow erosion of her sanity as she is confined by her situation.
Well, they are often very imaginative. They can take you to different worlds, whether it's a fantastical realm full of magic or a historical setting. For example, some stories might be set in ancient Rome or a far - off planet.
Well, first, they usually have a strong mystery plot. There's often a central enigma like a missing person or a strange event that needs to be solved. Second, the romance aspect adds an emotional depth. The relationship between the characters can be full of tension, from the initial attraction to the possible conflicts. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the relationship between Nick and Amy is full of mystery and the love - hate dynamic makes it really engaging. Third, they often have a unique setting that helps build the mystery and romance, like the small town in 'The Girl on the Train'.
One characteristic is that they can convey deep meanings in a limited space. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' for instance, makes a strong statement about women's oppression in just a short story. They also tend to have unique narrative styles. 'Hills Like White Elephants' has a very spare, dialogue - driven style that still manages to tell a full - fledged story with a lot of subtext.
Most of the top 10 horror short stories have vivid descriptions. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', Poe's detailed description of the rooms and the figure of Death creates a terrifying atmosphere. They also play with human fears. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' taps into the fear of confinement and madness. Additionally, they can use elements of the supernatural, as seen in many of these stories such as 'The Monkey's Paw' with its magic and cursed object.
One characteristic is a strong plot. A good short story usually has a clear beginning, middle, and end that keeps the reader engaged. For instance, in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the plot twist at the end is both surprising and thought - provoking.
One characteristic is the in - depth exploration of human nature. Chekhov's short stories often expose the hidden motives, desires, and flaws of his characters. For example, in 'The Lady with the Dog', the characters' complex feelings about their affair are laid bare. Another characteristic is the vivid descriptions of the Russian setting, which add authenticity and atmosphere to the stories, like in 'The Steppe'. Also, his stories usually have a sense of melancholy and a certain realism that makes the reader feel as if they are observing real - life situations.