The best 2010s short stories usually have a strong sense of character development in a short space. Take 'The Husband Stitch'. In just a few pages, it creates complex and memorable characters. They also often have a subversive element, challenging the status quo in society, whether it's about gender roles, as in some feminist short stories of the decade, or about economic disparities.
Hemingway's best short stories often feature his signature concise and direct writing style. His characters are usually tough, facing life's hardships with a certain stoicism. For example, in 'The Old Man and the Sea', the old man shows great perseverance in his battle with the fish.
They are usually simple. For example, 'The Ugly Duckling' has a straightforward plot. A duckling is different from the others and is bullied, but in the end, it turns out to be a beautiful swan. The simplicity makes it easy for children to understand.
Well, Chekhov's best short stories typically have a very vivid setting. For instance, he can paint a small Russian town so clearly that you feel like you're there. His stories also tend to have a lot of subtext. The characters might not say everything directly, but there are a lot of underlying emotions and thoughts. And his endings are often open - ended, leaving the reader to think about what might happen next.
Nabokov's best short stories often feature his masterful use of language. His prose is rich and detailed, like a painter creating a vivid portrait with words. They also tend to have complex characters with hidden motives and desires. For example, in some stories, the characters' inner worlds are gradually revealed through their actions and thoughts, making the readers constantly re - evaluate their understanding of the story.
The best short stories of Turgenev are known for their psychological depth. He delves deep into the minds of his characters, exploring their thoughts, fears, and hopes. His settings are vividly described, making you feel as if you are right there in the Russian countryside or in the bustling city where the story takes place. He also has a knack for creating tension, whether it's through interpersonal relationships or the larger social and cultural forces at work in the story.
The writing styles vary greatly. Some may use a lot of figurative language like metaphors and similes to create a more vivid picture. Others might have a very concise and straightforward style that gets the point across quickly.
Nabokov's best short stories often feature his signature complex and vivid prose. His use of language is highly detailed and rich, creating a unique atmosphere in each story. For example, in some of his works, he plays with the concept of time and memory, blurring the lines between past and present. This makes the reading experience both challenging and rewarding as readers are required to piece together different elements of the narrative.
Gogol's best short stories often have vivid and eccentric characters. For example, in 'The Overcoat', the main character Akaky Akakievich is a meek and simple clerk. His obsession with his overcoat is both pitiful and somewhat absurd, which reflects the social hierarchy and people's material desires at that time.
Maupassant's best short stories are often characterized by their realism. He portrays the society and people of his time very accurately. His stories usually have a concise and direct writing style, getting to the point quickly. For example, in 'The Necklace', he shows the vanity and the consequences of it in a simple yet powerful way.
One characteristic is the sense of mystery. For example, in 'The Second Bakery Attack', there are strange events and motives that keep the reader guessing. Another is the exploration of human emotions in a rather detached, modern - world context, like in 'A Shinagawa Monkey' where the monkey's actions are linked to complex human feelings.