What are the characteristics of the stories in 'Best European Short Stories'?

The language used in European Portuguese short stories is often very descriptive. It can vividly paint pictures of the settings, whether it's the narrow streets of Lisbon or the beautiful Portuguese countryside. This helps the reader to fully immerse in the story's world.

One characteristic is the exploration of complex human emotions. For example, in 'The Necklace', the protagonist experiences envy, pride, and despair. Another is the use of vivid settings. European short stories often paint detailed pictures of their settings, like the cold streets in 'The Little Match Girl'. Also, they frequently deal with social issues. 'The Metamorphosis' can be seen as a critique of modern society's dehumanizing effect on individuals.

They tend to be deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of Europe. This means that they can reflect the values, beliefs, and social norms of different European regions and time periods. For instance, Chekhov's stories often show the social and moral landscapes of Russia at his time. The settings, characters, and plot developments are all influenced by the specific European cultures from which they originate.

One characteristic is their exploration of modern - day social issues. They often touch on topics like family breakdown, identity crisis in a multicultural Europe, and the impact of technology on relationships.

European science fiction short stories often have a strong sense of intellectual exploration. They tend to delve deeply into philosophical concepts. For example, Stanislaw Lem's works often question the nature of intelligence and existence. Another characteristic is the use of rich and detailed settings. They create vivid worlds, like in 'Solaris' where the planet itself is a complex and mysterious entity. Also, European sci - fi short stories can be quite dark and dystopian at times, exploring the negative consequences of technology or human actions.

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.

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.

They are likely to have concise yet impactful plots. Since they are short stories, they need to get the point across quickly.