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Thank you to all who joined the Short Story Initiative in October! Honestly, after an overwhelming response during the first month (September) of this event, I was a little apprehensive as to how the second month (October) will go. My apprehensions were needless; there are many bloggers who still value and appreciate short stories. Are you one of them? Then join us in November! The mechanics are all very simple. And you can start anytime!
Anyway, before we start the Short Story Initiative in November, allow me to give you a rundown of the short stories featured by the participants in October. I suggested the theme, crime and mystery, but it’s not mandatory. With Halloween, it was no surprise that many of these good short fiction edged towards creepiness.
Risa of Breadcrumb Reads posted on five short stories by M R James--“Canon Alberic's Scrap-book”, “Lost Hearts”, “The Mezzotint”, “The Ash Tree”, and “Room 13”.
Nina of Multo (Ghost) shared her thoughts on “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell. She also posted on stories by Sir Adrew Caldecott, including “A Room in a Rectory”, “Christmas Re-union”, and a lot more!
Sophia of Page Plucker read two tales by W. W. Jacobs, namely “The Monkey’s Paw” and “Lady of the Barge”.
Mel of The Reading Life posted on “The Hitch-Hikers” by Eudora Welty.
Hila of The Sill of the World read a three disturbing short stories for Halloween by different authors, including “The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Bierce; “Silent Snow, Secret Snow” by Conrad Aiken; and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
Jay of Bibliophilopolis shared his thoughts on “The Horla” and “Ghosts by Guy de Maupassant. He also posted on “History Lesson” by Arthur C. Clarke, “The Folding Man” by Joe R. Lansdale, and two more ghost stories--”Grandfather’s Teeth” by Lisa Tuttle and “Grandmother’s Slippers” by Sarah Pinborough.
Che of From Kafka to Kindergarten read three tales of mystery and suspense by different authors--“The Mystery of the Essex Stairs” by Sir Gilbert Campbell, “The Fenchurch Street Mystery” by Baroness Orczy, and “The Dancing Partner” by Jerome K Jerome.
Simple Clockwork also posted about some short stories. They are Earthset by Eliza Victoria, and three disturbing tales by Ruth Rendell (A Glowing Future, A Case of Coincidence, and May and June).
So many short stories! So many new-to-me authors! Which ones have you read already? Be sure to give these links a visit; I assure you you’ll be pleased with what you’ll find. I sure did. I presently enjoyed The Monkey’s Paw and The Horla, but I'll be reading the other stories featured here soon.
Now, on to November! What are you planning to read? For The Short Story Initiative, I suggested short stories by Indian authors or stories about India. As a reminder, this is not mandatory; this is just a suggestion that might help put your reading into focus, especially if you don’t know where to start. Essentially, you can read and share any short story you want for The Short Story Initiative.
In my case, I’ve been saving up “Junglee Girl” by Ginu Kamani for November, among others. Here’s the interesting pitch on the back cover: “JUNGLEE” girl--stemming from the Sanskrit root, jungle--is used in India to describe a wild and uncontrollable woman. In these eleven tales of awakening--intensely sexual yet ambiguous--the female protagonists recklessly pursue their sensual paths through a complex social world that seeks to shut them out. Kamani charts a territory both intimate and bizarre.”
I’m also setting my eyes on short stories by acclaimed Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto.
Well, that’s about it. Keep reading! Keep blogging! I hope to see you in November for The Short Story Initiative! Thanks!
- Nancy -
P.S. Here is Mr. Linky for November: