Well, 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is quite famous. It's about a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a ball, loses it, and then spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out in the end that the original necklace was a fake. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is another well - known short story. It's a psychological thriller where the narrator's guilt over murdering an old man is driven to madness by the sound he imagines is the old man's heart still beating. Then there's 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce, which has a very unexpected ending.
Edgar Allan Poe is also well - known. His stories are full of mystery and horror. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is a classic that uses vivid descriptions to create a terrifying atmosphere.
You can start by looking at classic literature anthologies. They usually include a selection of well - known short stories. Another way is to ask librarians. They are very knowledgeable and can recommend some of the best known short stories. Also, online book platforms like Amazon or Goodreads often have lists and reviews of popular short stories.
J.R.R. Tolkien is well - known. Although he's famous for his long works like 'The Lord of the Rings', his short stories also have a unique charm. His descriptions of Middle - earth in shorter forms are still rich and immersive. Another is Neil Gaiman. His short stories, such as those in 'Smoke and Mirrors', are full of dark and dreamy fantasy elements. And Ray Bradbury, with his collection 'The Illustrated Man', has written some amazing short fantasies that often touch on themes of human nature and the future.
Another one is Theodore Dreiser. His stories often explore the dark side of society and human nature from a naturalistic perspective. His works are known for their realism and the way they show how external forces can shape a person's life.
Definitely 'Carrie'. It was his first published novel and introduced his unique brand of horror. In short stories, 'The Langoliers' is well - known. It's about people on a plane who face a strange time - related threat.
Also, 'Nine Stories' by J.D. Salinger is quite well - known. The stories in this collection are often poignant and deal with themes such as youth, innocence, and the complexity of human relationships. Salinger's unique writing style makes these stories stand out.
O. Henry is quite famous for his short stories. His stories often have unexpected endings that leave readers in surprise. 'The Ransom of Red Chief' is one of his well - known works.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very well - known author of short scary stories. His works, like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'The Masque of the Red Death', are full of gothic horror elements. His use of vivid descriptions, psychological terror, and macabre themes made his stories truly terrifying and still popular today.
Donald Barthelme is well - known for his experimental short stories. His works often feature disjointed narratives and a playfulness with language. For example, in some of his stories, he combines elements of pop culture and highbrow literature in unexpected ways.