Misfortune by Chekhov

Misfortune by Chekhov - short story in the collection Lady With Lapdog and Other Stories

I've never read any of Chekhov short stories before, although I've read most of his plays.

I chose this one to start with as the preface said it was influenced by Anna Karenina.
This is the tale of a woman's internal struggle between loyalty, family and expectation, and her real feelings which she dares not acknowledge.
I'm looking forward to reading more of these stories now.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge

Finished 23 June 2008

The Other Side of the Hedge by E.M. Forster

The Other Side of the Hedge by E.M. Forster

The second story in his Collected Short Stories (Twentieth Century Classics)

A wonderful short story. At first you think it's just a story about someone on a long distance race, but as you read on you realise it's an allegorical story about the meaning of life.

I love E.M. Forster, but haven't read any of his short stories until now. They're definitely worth a read.
Excellent! Recommended collection.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge
Finished 16 June

Madam Crowl's Ghost by Le Fanu

Madam Crowl's Ghost by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Read this short story last night, from the volume of short stories by the same name.
Set at Applewale House, the story centres around Madam Crowl who is described at the start of the story as 'possessed by the devil, and more than half a ghost.'

As usual Le Fanu spins a good tale of suspense and horror.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge
Finished 9/6/08

The Rainy Moon by Colette

The Rainy Moon by Collette ... another short story in the collection Wayward Girls and Wicked Women edited by Angela Carter.

This time a story of a working writer, who gets involved in the lives of her new typist and her sister. A story of fasination, love and revenge.

Short Story Challenge # 2
Finished 18th May

Violet by Frances Towers

Violet by Frances Towers ... a short story in the collection Wayward Girls and Wicked Women edited by Angela Carter.

Story of a young housemaid who has 'the gift' as well as ulterior motives!
Fun story.

Frances Towers was born in Calcutta, India and grew up in England, UK. A collection of her short stories are published as 'Tea With Mr. Rochester'.

Short Story Challenge #1
18/05/08

Short Story Reading Challenge 2008

Yes another challenge ...

This time the Short Story Reading Challenge.

I don't tend to read many short stories these days, so it's good for me to do something new.

My aim will be to read 10 short stories before the end of December 2008.

My choices are short stories by:
1. Katherine Mansfield
2. E.M.Forster - The Other Side of the Hedge 16 June
3. Le Fanu - Madam Crowl's Ghost 9 June
4. Isak Dinesen
5. Tolstoy
6. Elizabeth Gaskell
7. Henry James
8 . Chekhov - Misfortune 23 June
9. Frances Towers - Violet 18 May
10. Collette - The Rainy Moon 18 May