classic fiction short stories

Agatha Christie's short stories such as 'The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding'. Her works often feature clever plots and the famous detective Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is also a great one. It shows Sherlock Holmes at his best, outwitted by the clever Irene Adler. This short story is full of intrigue and showcases Holmes' methods of investigation.

Well, 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin is a great speculative fiction short story. It presents a utopian - like city, Omelas, but with a dark secret at its core that makes some people choose to leave. Then there's 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut. This story is set in a future where everyone is made equal through handicaps, which is a really thought - provoking concept. Also, 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream' by Harlan Ellison is a disturbing and powerful story about a post - apocalyptic world controlled by a malevolent AI.

Some classic ones include 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a thought - provoking story set in a seemingly ordinary small town with a disturbing annual tradition. Another is 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes. It tells the story of Charlie, a man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experiment to increase his intelligence. 'The Veldt' by Ray Bradbury is also great. It explores the relationship between parents and children in a high - tech future where a virtual reality nursery causes problems.

Some classic American fiction short stories include 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells a heartwarming story of a young couple sacrificing for each other. Another is 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a dark and suspenseful tale of revenge. And 'Rip Van Winkle' by Washington Irving, a story about a man who sleeps for 20 years and wakes up to a very different world.

One characteristic is that they are set in a specific historical period. This could be the Victorian era, the Middle Ages, or the American Civil War era, for example. They often use historical events or social conditions as a backdrop for the story. Another characteristic is that they may feature characters whose actions and beliefs are influenced by the values of that historical time. For instance, in a story set in the 19th - century England, characters might be more concerned with propriety and social class.

One classic is 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. It's about a hunter who becomes the hunted on a mysterious island. Another is 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London, which details a man's struggle against the harsh Alaskan wilderness. And 'The Secret Sharer' by Joseph Conrad is also great. It tells a story full of psychological exploration during a sea voyage.

Characteristics include their capacity to make readers question the status quo. They can present alternative societies or ways of life that make us reflect on our own. They also use scientific concepts, whether it's physics, biology, or astronomy, to drive the story forward. This gives them a sense of authenticity. And many short classic science fiction stories have a sense of mystery. The reader is often left with questions at the end, which makes them think about the story long after they've finished reading, like in 'The Sentinel' where the origin of the object is left open - ended.

A classic is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, although it can be considered a borderline science - fiction short story. It has a very unique and disturbing take on a small - town tradition. Also, Philip K. Dick has written many excellent ones like 'We Can Remember It for You Wholesale', which was later adapted into the movie 'Total Recall', with its mind - bending concepts about memory and reality.

Often, classic flash fiction short stories have a twist at the end. This is a way to surprise the reader and make them reevaluate the whole story they've just read. Take 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton. The ending leaves the reader to decide the fate of the character, which is a very clever way to engage the reader even after they've finished reading.