What are the top ten best short stories?

Most of them often have a sense of the unknown and the uncanny. For example, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the existence of the ancient and powerful Cthulhu is something that defies human understanding. Another characteristic is a build - up of suspense. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's growing paranoia and the slow reveal of his plan to kill the old man keeps the reader on edge. And many use elements of the ordinary turned sinister, like in 'The Lottery' where a normal small - town event becomes a horror.

Some of the well - known short stories could be 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a beautiful story about a couple sacrificing their most precious possessions for each other. Another could be 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant which shows the consequences of vanity. And 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner that has a rather dark and mysterious plot.

The stories in top best short stories usually have a clear theme. This theme can be about love, like in some romantic short stories, or it can be about society, such as in stories that critique social norms. They are also very good at creating an atmosphere. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the atmosphere of suspense and madness is palpable from the start. The language used is also very important. It's often precise and vivid, helping to bring the story to life.

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.

One important keyword is 'courage'. It can make the characters in the short story more appealing as they face challenges. Another is 'curiosity'. It makes the readers wonder what will happen next. Also, 'loss' can be a powerful keyword as it can evoke deep emotions.

Some of the well - known ones are 'The Lady with the Dog', 'The Bet', 'Gooseberries'. 'The Lady with the Dog' is great as it delves into the complex nature of love and infidelity. The characters are very realistically portrayed and the emotions are palpable.

Sure. 'The Monkey's Paw' is a classic. It tells of a family who gets a cursed monkey's paw that grants wishes but with terrible consequences. 'August Heat' is also among the top. In this story, an artist draws a portrait that seems to foretell his doom. And 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Poe again. It involves a man being walled up alive as revenge in the catacombs.

The stories in 'top ten short stories' are concise yet powerful. They manage to convey deep emotions and complex ideas in just a few pages. Take 'The Necklace' as an example. It shows how a single act of vanity can lead to a lifetime of misfortune in a very compact narrative. The language used is also very effective. Writers use vivid descriptions and precise words to create a strong impact on the reader. They draw the reader into the world of the story quickly and keep their attention until the end with the help of these elements.

One of the top fanfiction stories could be 'The Black Queen' in the Sherlock Holmes fandom. It has a unique take on Moriarty having a sister who is a mastermind. Another might be 'A Different Hogwarts' in the Harry Potter fandom, which reimagines the school with different houses and rules. And 'Starlight's Journey' in the Star Trek universe, following a new character's adventures on the Enterprise.

One of the top ten best superman stories has to be 'Kingdom Come'. It shows an older, more jaded Superman coming out of retirement in a world filled with more violent and unethical superheroes. It's a great exploration of Superman's values and how he tries to bring back a sense of order. 'Action Comics #1' is also crucial as it's where Superman first debuted, introducing the world to this amazing superhero.