5 best short stories

One of the great short stories could be 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' which is often considered a classic in Tor short stories. It presents a thought - provoking scenario about a utopian society with a dark secret.

Well, some might include stories that deal with complex human emotions. For example, there could be stories about love and loss. But without actually reading through the collection in detail, it's hard to name specific ones.

One way short stories are ranked as the best is through critical acclaim. Critics look at elements like the plot. If it's engaging and has a good flow, it can boost a story's ranking. For example, a plot with unexpected twists like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' makes it stand out.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It's a classic that introduces the terrifying Cthulhu entity and its cult. The story builds a sense of dread through its descriptions of strange happenings and the discovery of ancient, otherworldly knowledge.

Well, 'The Lottery' could be one. It's a really thought - provoking short story that shows how blindly following traditions can lead to horror. Another might be 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' which is full of complex characters and moral ambiguity. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is also great as it delves into the mental state of a woman in a very interesting and disturbing way.

There could also be stories that are more about the adventure aspect. Picture a fisherman setting out on a remote lake or sea, facing unexpected challenges like a sudden storm. The story would detail how they deal with these difficulties while still trying to catch fish. It might talk about their survival skills and the beauty of the natural world around them during such trying times.

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.

One great coming of age short story is 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. It shows a young man's growth in the face of extreme danger. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which makes the young protagonist and readers question the traditions they've grown up with. Also, 'A&P' by John Updike is good. It tells about a young store clerk's moment of realization about society and his own place in it.

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.