Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is also a great classic mystery short story. It features Sherlock Holmes being outwitted by the brilliant Irene Adler, which is a bit of a departure from the usual where Holmes is always in control. The story has a great plot with lots of twists and turns, and it gives an interesting look into Holmes' character and his relationships.
One well - known classic crime short story is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It is often considered the first modern detective story. Another is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle, which features Sherlock Holmes. And 'The Red - Headed League' is also a great Doyle story with Holmes' brilliant deductions.
One well - known public domain mystery short story is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's considered a pioneer in the detective fiction genre. Another is 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. These stories have influenced countless mystery writers over the years.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'Young Goodman Brown' is a significant 19th - century classic. This story explores themes of faith, sin, and the nature of humanity. It follows Goodman Brown on a journey through the forest where he encounters strange and disturbing events that make him question his beliefs and the people around him.
Well, there's George MacDonald. He was one of the early writers of fantasy short stories. His works often had a moral or spiritual undertone. C.S. Lewis also wrote some great classic fantasy short stories. His use of Christian allegory in his fantasy works was quite notable. And we can't forget Lord Dunsany. His short stories were filled with vivid and strange imagery that was characteristic of classic fantasy.
One well - known classic horror story is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, which explores the creation of a monster. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is also a classic, dealing with the duality of human nature.
One classic English story is 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare. It's a tragic love story about two young lovers from feuding families. Another is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, which follows Alice's strange and wonderful journey in a fantastical world. And 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, a story about Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation on Christmas Eve.
Another is 'Fanny Hill'. It is an old erotic novel that details the sexual experiences and adventures of the main character Fanny. However, this kind of content is often considered controversial and not suitable for all audiences.
A classic war story is 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. Set during the Spanish Civil War, it tells the story of an American volunteer fighting against the fascists. Then there's 'The Iliad', an ancient Greek epic that describes the Trojan War. It shows the heroism, rivalries, and tragedies on the battlefield. Also, 'Catch - 22' is a satirical war story set in World War II, highlighting the absurdities of war and military bureaucracy.
One of the well - known classic English stories is 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. It tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with strange creatures like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter.
One of the most famous classic love stories is 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare. It tells the tragic love between Romeo and Juliet from two feuding families. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the relationship development between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Also, 'Tristan and Isolde' is a classic, a story of star - crossed lovers.