Nan (Letters From a Hill Farm) has been tempting me for months with her tales of intriguing short stories. But it was Edith Wharton (The Writing of Fiction) who gave me the final push to ask the librarian about books of short stories.
In one short week a new reading world has opened up for me. I’ve discovered there are whole volumes filled with these tightly written tales. In just a few pages I can be drawn into the middle of an event, the lives of the characters, and I’m curious to know the outcome. I just have to share these stories with you. Hence, I’m going to join the Short Story Monday a few times a month..
The first story I read was A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell. Written in 1917, the story is perfect for the Women Unbound Challenge. In a few short pages I knew how this culture felt about and treated women.
John Wright has been murdered and Mrs. Wright is in jail. A neighboring farmer, Mr. Hale was the first person to the house after the death. The next day the county attorney, the sheriff and the sheriff’s wife stopped by in their wagon to pick up Mr. Hale. The sheriff’s wife, Mrs. Peters, asks if Mrs. Hale can come along too. She’s nervous about entering the house where a death has occurred.
The purpose of the visit is to gather clues and for Mr. Hale to explain what he saw when he arrived at the farm house the previous day. The county attorney is looking for something that would show motive. No one can figure out why Mrs. Wright would kill her husband in bed with a rope around his neck, especially when there is a gun in the house.
The group gathers first in the kitchen. Although the two women had never met, they bond as the men toss out critical comments about the poor housekeeping of the absent suspect.
As the men move upstairs to the bedroom and out to the barn, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale begin to notice the little details of the suspects life. They discover the clues and the motive for the crime in that kitchen. Then their dilemma is to decide whether to share that information with the men. Will the men even understand? Will Mrs. Wright be convicted if the men cannot find a motive?
“Oh, well,” said Mrs.Hale’s husband, with good-natured superiority, “women are used to worrying over trifles.”
For more information about Short Story Monday, visit John at Book Mind Set.
NORTHERN CALLIFORNIA
You know, I much prefer the longer novels that allow for detailed character development, however…..
I am beginning to look at short stories with a new eye since reading the book blogs. I often complain that I don’t have enough time to do any personal reading at the end of the day, but this is inaccurate. I can certainly find the time to read a short story, right? And it will allow me to be introduced to new characters, new worlds, and new possibilities. I think I am going to try this mid-January resolution and see if it doesn’t help the funk I have been in since ….I don’t know when
Thanks for the inspiration, Margot!
Right now I’m reading a short story collection by Rosamund Pilcher. I’m still not sure they’re for me.
I just don’t like short stories. I think it’s because I can’t say I’ve read a BOOK when I finish!
I think Molly is on to something – short stories fit perfectly into lives of busy people. They nip the reading bug in the bud and inspire time to be set aside for devotion to longer books that Rhapsody prefers. But if you read a collection of short stories I would consider that a book. Best of both worlds!
Welcome to Short Story Monday! Book Psmith directed me to A Jury of Her Peers last year, and I loved it.
So glad you’ll be joining in the fun. My story this week is “Good Neighbors” by Jonathan Franzen.
http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2010/01/short-story-monday-good-neighbors-by.html
Short stories are an art. Some writers can do them wonderfully, but others who can write lovely novels fail miserably. You have clearly selected well!
Between you and Nan I think I will have to buy a book of short stories and get on the bandwagon!!
I’d recommended this one for this year’s first selection at A Curious Singularity, so if it’s chosen, I’ll be back to compare notes!
I used to read short stories all the time – I remember just waiting for my issues of Ellery Queen’s mystery magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s mystery magazine to arrive in the mail! After reading this post, I really want to get back into reading short stories.
I also participate in short story Monday. I’m glad you have decided to join us. I’m glad that you have discovers the wonderful world of short stories. When done well, they are such an art and treat!
This is what I reviewed this week:http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-dear-miss-fairfax-by-nicola-slade.html