Author: Terry O’Brien
Genre: Short Stories
Pages: 272
Publisher: Rupa Publications

Short stories have been my absolute favorites right since I was a kid. It was only natural for me to want to write short stories and I did write plenty and even published some. Like Stephen King said, “A Short Story is like a kiss in the dark.” It dazzles you and them leaves you asking for more. When done right, short stories can have some really powerful narratives within a limited space. As a reader, I’m always looking for more short stories to read. So when I was offered a copy of ‘Best Short Stories Ever’ by Rupa Publications, I was more than thrilled. In an anthology curated by the skilled writer and editor, Terry O’Brien, the the art of short story writing comes alive and how!

‘The Best Short Stories Ever’ is a collection of forty-one masterpieces from across the globe from some of our favorite short-story writers. Within the pages of this book, one will find intricate beauty unfolding through ideas, writing style, settings, characters and more. These stories, carefully selected by Terry O’Brien, represent a diverse spectrum of cultures, styles, and themes. From the enigmatic imagination of Edgar Allan Poe to the Nobel laureate Ernest Hemingway’s unadorned prose, from the English elegance of Somerset Maugham and Virginia Woolf to the vivid storytelling of Guy de Maupassant and O. Henry, the collection handholds readers through the minds of some of the literary geniuses of our time.

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For first-time readers, this anthology is a keeper introducing them to masterminds of storytelling such as the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, who masterfully crafts emotions into his narratives, and the Colombian legend Gabriel García Márquez, whose magical realism lingers in the memory. Terry O’Brien’s curation celebrates not only the content but also the art of storytelling itself. The anthology encapsulates deeply introspective moments of human nature, dreams, fears, and aspirations, offering readers a vivid kaleidoscope of emotions and perspectives.

‘The Best Short Stories Ever’ is more than a mere short-story collection; it’s a gateway to timeless worlds and astonishing imaginative prowess that these authors showcase. As we delve into each story, we become witnesses to how literature has transformed over the years; especially when to comes to short-stories. This collection is a must-have and a journey that any true booklover would cherish.

Have you read ‘Best Short Stories Ever’? Which is your favorite short-story?
Do share your thoughts below.

P.S.: I received a review copy from the publisher but the review remains unbiased.