Could you please recommend a good short story writer?

Question

I just read "Honey Pie" by Haruki Murakami (http://magna.cs.ucla.edu/~hxwang/newyorker/blog/files/honeypiemurakami.html) and "For Years" by Anna Gavalda (couldn't find a link, sorry)

Despite being originally written in foreign languages, both stories struck me with their poetic precision and depth of emotion.

The realization of how similar these stories were to my situation brought about a sweetly melancholic sigh.

So. Anything similar you'd like to share? If there's a link, I'd appreciate it (don't worry if i like the short story i'll be sure to buy the collection if it is available in my local bookstore)

Thank you. :)

and their best (in your opinion) story, as well.

anything with the theme of "love that could've been" really gets me, as well :p

I'm very familiar with short story staples such as O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe, but thanks for recommending anyway :p

I'm actually looking for more MODERN writers. Preferably foreign (no idea why, but the translation of their work makes the language so much more concise without sacrificing the lyricism)

hmm, still nothing to my taste so far... perhaps a better way to describe what i'm looking for is "highbrow emo"? haha.

the theme of "she loved me, but too ******* bad i was/am an idiot" is still what i'm looking for :)

chekhov and kafka, i'm very familiar with, both classic writers :)

i'm still looking for a story with the right touch of sweet melancholy... the kind only "love that could've been" can bring :p

Answer 1

As I understand you, some of these will not fit your criteria, some may. These are simply some of my favorite short stories by some of my favorite authors.

Where I'm Calling From - Raymond Carver. Set in the 1960s - 1980s. Try "Menudo."

The Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway. 1st half 20th Century. Try "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place."

Edgar Allan Poe. Early 19th Century. Try "The Telltale Heart."

O. Henry. Early 20th Century. Try "The Gift of the Magi."

Charles Bukowski. 1960s - 1980s. Try "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town," both the title of a collection and the lead story.

"Saki" (H. H. Munro). Early 20th Century. Try "The Open Window."

Ring Lardner. 1920s. Try "Some Like Them Cold."

Jack London. Early 20th Century. Try "To Build a Fire."

Ambrose Bierce. Late 19th Century. Try "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

Dorothy Parker. 1920s - 1930s. Try "The Big Blonde."

Answer 2

Maybe you should check out Anton Chekhov.His short stories are humorous and poignant.My fav is 'A Work Of Art'.Sasha presents a candlebra to the doctor who saved his life.However the doctor is ashamed to display the candlebra which is a little bit erotic.So he makes a present of it to his lawyer.The candlebra changes hands and ultimately falls into the hands of Sasha again.He gives it to the doctor saying that it will make a pair with the previous one.

Another one is about a man who visits his neighbour to propose to his daughter.However he quarrels with his neighbour,the lady in question until the matter of the proposal is quite forgotten.Until the neighbour forcefully announce the engagement of the quarelling couple.

I've given a link where you can read all Chekhov's stories online.

Answer 3

This is not as precise as I would have accepted, but your precision in what affects you, looked for a novella i just read, can't find. But have 2 suggestions: Japanese novella(the one i read recently) pre-WWII , 1930's about a young aristocrat who vacations at a passe spa area, where he engages in a love affair with a vibrant peasant but -in -training geisha and social constraints and her own defianciance at her own situation never allow the mutual love affair to advance to any attainable level, although observed through the years. I think it's title is "The Snow Country", almost sure. Although not cont., (as you requested) written in the 1930's the nuances are superb, impossible love, yet love, and if that is what you are seeking, not the classics, I'm happy to pass it on, as it was recommended to me. Second, short story famous Japanese author from a samiour (sp) family this is a short story anthologized to the max, written in the 1960's about ritual suicide and the wife's love for her husband and her hesitation to end her own life, not unrequited, but still engaging. and disturbing as it's graphic. Best I can do. dawn

Answer 4

Alice Munro, Rick Bass. Every year I also try to read "The Best America Short Stories of ____ (fill in the year)" Of course they're all American-published, but I love short stories and I usually find a few that are wonderful.

Answer 5

Edgar Allan Poe, O Henery or even Stephen im reading a short story book by stephen king and it is reallly good i would recomend these authors above very much

Answer 6

Evelyn Lau, Farley Mowat, Joyce-Carol Oates. For poetry, Margaret Atwood. Try also Margaret Lawrence for novels.

Answer 7

Try some famous short story writers, though I dare say you have read their stories.
O.Henry, Tolstoy, Roald Dahl, William Somerset Maughm, Saki, P.G.Wodehouse, Ruskin Bond.
There is a story by Maupassant about "love that could have been".The name is "Mademoiselle..." Sorry I forgot.
I also enjoyed Jeffrey Archer's "Twelve Red Herrings".

Answer 8

I love Edgar Allen Poe....he wrote many short stories....the Cask of Amantelardo(sp), The Black Cat, etc. He also invented the detective story. First writer ever to write them.

Answer 9

You've asked such a good question. I was thinking, but I can't come up with any foreign writers, but I did come up with someone who is very good and I hope you like her. Her name is Melanie Rae Thon and she's the author of "First, Body" and "Girls in the Grass". "First, Body " is so much better though. She holds nothing back.

Answer 10

Jhumpa Lahiri "Interpreter of Maladies" (a book of short stories that won the Pulitzer Prize)