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Original poster

Who's the best short story writer of all time?

69 replies

franch · 30/01/2006 09:01

I only seem to have time to read in the bathroom these days so have decided it's time to overcome my prejudice against short stories. Recommendations please!

OP posts:
Fauve · 31/01/2006 09:14

I'm not very keen on Helen Simpson either, but I've only read one collection.

Marina · 31/01/2006 09:17

She is the Marmite of short-story writers I think Fauve - love her or loathe her. Dh thinks she is stark staring bonkers but then he likes the tries-too-hard Tim Moore

yoyo · 31/01/2006 09:59

I hadn't realised she wrote Hey Yeah.. I wasn't convinced by it either but a friend thought it was fantastic. I am going to flick through the new one in town today. Has anyone read it yet? It was the "must read" in one of the papers last week.

almost40 · 31/01/2006 10:04

Has someone already said - J.D. Salinger?? Nine Stories

Enid · 31/01/2006 10:08

medea did jhumpa lahiri write that book of short stories which started with the couple and the power cut? If so I completely agree that she is excellent and that story in particular was very very good.

roosmum · 31/01/2006 13:02

just remembered 'dubliners', like that a lot.

motherinferior · 31/01/2006 13:04

Helen Simpson rocks.

Rhubarb · 31/01/2006 13:08

Me.

swedishmum · 02/02/2006 00:46

Quite like Guy de Maupassant, can just about cope with the French!
I occasionally buy those anthologies of 20th century modern fiction. Quite like something light like Somerset Maugham for the bath.

Medea · 05/02/2006 19:51

Enid just saw your question. . .

Jhumpa's collection was called The Interpreter of Maladies and the first story (IIRC) was about a young Indian-American couple who loses a baby & their marriage ends. Can't remember about a power cut, but maybe. . .The clincher was when the husband, in a moment of cruelty, tells wife the sex of the baby they lost.

Her novel The Namesake was quite a big deal in the US. It's supposed to be incredibly good.

Original poster
franch · 27/02/2006 15:50

You lot are stars. Nearly finished Heart Songs by Annie Proulx - was doubtful at first, but am now totally hooked. You got me - I'm a convert.

About to re-read this thread to make my next choice ...

OP posts:
Original poster
franch · 19/08/2006 21:42

Munro ... another fantastic recommendation ... Who next ...

OP posts:
bumbleweed · 20/08/2006 20:31

Chekov of course

or

William Trevor - really really good - you can get a massive anthology

Cappuccino · 20/08/2006 20:35

David Gaffney is short short fiction if you're having a very quick bath

Helen Simpson

dh says Raymond Carver

Cappuccino · 20/08/2006 20:37

go here, go, here and download some stories

southeastastra · 20/08/2006 20:44

stephen king

rustybear · 27/08/2006 18:43

PG Wodehouse

niceglasses · 27/08/2006 18:44

Carver,Checkov,Mansfield. I'd go for Carver tho.

janeite · 27/08/2006 19:09

Some of Stephen King's are fabby (check out "Survivor Type" for best short story ever!); others, especially his vampire ones, are not so good.

Roald Dahl very good, but creepy.

Sherlock Holmes stories perfect for a cold evening with hot chocolate and a blanket!

How about short novellas? Steinbeck is the master but Stephen King has done a few good ones too.

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