One characteristic is the exploration of paradoxes. For example, in stories like 'By His Bootstraps', the protagonist's actions in the past and future seem to loop back on themselves in a confusing yet fascinating way. Another is the vivid description of different time periods. In 'The Time Machine', H.G. Wells does an amazing job of depicting the far - future world.
One characteristic is variety in settings. It could include time travel to different historical periods like ancient Rome or the Middle Ages, or to fictional future worlds with advanced technology. Another is the exploration of different themes related to time travel. This could be the idea of changing destiny, or the moral implications of interfering with the past. Good character arcs are also essential. The characters should grow and change as a result of their time - traveling experiences. For example, a character who starts out as a thrill - seeker might become more responsible after realizing the potential consequences of their actions in different times.
Well, in time travel stories, a key characteristic is the blurring of different time periods. The characters can move between different eras, say from the present to the Victorian age or the far future. This allows for a contrast in cultures, technologies, and social norms. There's also often a sense of mystery and discovery. The time traveler is like an explorer in an unknown territory of time, trying to figure out how things work in different time frames. Plus, the idea of parallel timelines can be a characteristic, where changing the past doesn't necessarily change the original future but creates a new branch of reality.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.
The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.
The 10 best short stories often have a unique narrative voice. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's sparse style gives the story a certain tension. They also tend to be very focused. 'The Necklace' focuses on the consequences of one woman's pride and it doesn't deviate from that central idea. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short amount of time. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and madness in a relatively brief story.
The 5 best short stories often have strong characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love makes them memorable. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'The Lottery', the theme of blind tradition is very prominent. And most of them have a unique plot structure, like 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' which has a twist at the end.
Well, the 15 best short stories tend to be very impactful despite their short length. They can convey deep emotions. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' for instance, it makes you feel the desperation and frustration of the main character. They also are good at creating a certain atmosphere. 'The Cask of Amontillado' creates a very spooky and tense atmosphere in the catacombs. And many of them have a twist or a surprise ending. 'The Lottery' has a shockingly unexpected ending that makes you reevaluate the whole story.
They are likely to be very diverse. Some might have strong character development in a short space, like creating a vivid character in just a few pages. For example, a character who goes through a life - changing realization.
Most of the stories in '2022 best short stories' are known for their engaging plots. They start with an interesting hook that grabs the reader's attention right away. Then, there are twists and turns throughout the story that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The endings are also often thought - provoking, leaving the reader with something to ponder long after they've finished reading.