42 Classic English Short Stories You Should Read
If you're looking for great short stories to read, there's no better place to turn than the classics. These 42 classic English short stories span centuries of literary history and represent some of the finest works in the English language. So, without further ado, let's dive in!
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
This chilling story of a woman's descent into madness is a must-read for any fan of horror or psychological thrillers. The story follows a woman who is confined to her bedroom as part of her treatment for postpartum depression. As she becomes more and more obsessed with the yellow wallpaper in her room, her mental state deteriorates until she is completely unhinged.
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
This humorous story, by one of America's greatest writers, is a delightful romp through the wilds of rural California. The story follows a man named Jim Smiley, who is obsessed with winning bets. When he enters his prized jumping frog into a bet, hilarity ensues.
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
This classic story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and vanity. The story follows a woman named Madame Loisel, who borrows a diamond necklace to wear to a ball. When she loses the necklace, she and her husband go into debt to replace it, only to discover years later that the original necklace was a fake.
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
This chilling story of revenge is a masterpiece of horror literature. The story follows a man named Montresor, who seeks revenge on his friend Fortunato by luring him into his wine cellar and trapping him there to die.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
This heartwarming story is a Christmas classic. The story follows a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet. In a selfless act of love, they each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other.
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
This classic horror story is a masterpiece of suspense and psychological terror. The story follows a man who is driven mad by the sound of his victim's beating heart, leading him to confess to their murder.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
This chilling story is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following tradition. The story follows a small town that holds an annual lottery, where the winner is stoned to death by the townspeople. As the story unfolds, the reader is forced to confront the horrifying reality of what is happening.
To Build a Fire by Jack London
This classic story of survival in the frozen North is a must-read for any adventure and nature lover. The story follows a man who is traveling alone through the Yukon wilderness during a bitter cold spell. When he falls through the ice and gets wet, he faces a desperate struggle for survival.
Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
This powerful story is a masterclass in understatement and subtext. The story follows a couple who are waiting at a train station, discussing a potentially life-changing decision. Through their conversation, the reader gradually comes to understand what is at stake.
The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton
This is a classic story with a twist ending that will leave you pondering for days. The story follows a man who is given a choice between two doors. Behind one door is a beautiful lady who will become his wife, and behind the other is a ferocious tiger that will kill him. The twist ending leaves the choice up to the reader.
Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville
This darkly humorous story is a commentary on the dehumanizing nature of work. The story follows a lawyer who hires a new scrivener named Bartleby. Despite being a good worker at first, Bartleby soon refuses to do anything and spends his days staring out the window, leading to a bizarre and tragic conclusion.
The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl
This macabre story is a great example of Roald Dahl's twisted sense of humor. The story follows a man who picks up a hitchhiker on a lonely stretch of road. As the hitchhiker's stories become increasingly strange and unsettling, the driver begins to fear for his life.
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
This classic thriller is a must-read for fans of adventure and survival stories. The story follows a big-game hunter who finds himself trapped on a remote island with a madman who hunts humans for sport.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
This haunting story is a masterful example of storytelling and suspense. The story follows a man who is about to be hanged for sabotage during the Civil War. As he awaits his execution, he begins to daydream about his escape.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
This humorous story is a classic example of wish fulfillment and daydreaming. The story follows a man named Walter Mitty, who daydreams about being a hero in various scenarios, while his real life is mundane and uneventful.
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor
This chilling story is a commentary on the nature of evil and the fragility of human life. The story follows a family on a road trip, who are hijacked by a group of escaped convicts. As the story unfolds, the reader is forced to confront the true nature of the characters.
The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway
This classic story is a powerful meditation on death and regret. The story follows a writer who is dying of an infected wound while on safari in Africa. As he faces his own mortality, he reflects on the choices he has made in his life.
The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
This spooky story is a classic example of a cautionary tale. The story follows a family who come into possession of a magical monkey's paw that grants wishes. But as they soon discover, every wish comes with a terrible price.
Araby by James Joyce
This deeply symbolic story is a coming-of-age tale of a young boy in Ireland. The story follows the boy as he becomes infatuated with a girl and decides to buy her a gift at a local bazaar. The bazaar, however, turns out to be a disappointing and disillusioning experience.
Barn Burning by William Faulkner
This classic story is a powerful exploration of class and family dynamics. The story follows a young boy who is torn between his loyalty to his father, a poor sharecropper, and his own sense of morality.
The Gift of Gab by O. Henry
This humorous story is a classic example of irony. The story follows a man who is gifted with the ability to persuade anyone to do anything, but who cannot persuade his wife to stop nagging him.
The Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This haunting story is a dark exploration of the nature of sin and guilt. The story follows a young man named Goodman Brown, who goes into the forest to meet with the devil. As he bears witness to the depravity of his fellow townspeople, he begins to question his own nature.
The Lottery in Babylon by Jorge Luis Borges
This surreal story is a commentary on the nature of power and control. The story follows a man who wins the lottery in a city where the lottery is the ultimate instrument of governance. But as he becomes more involved in the workings of the system, he begins to question everything he thought he knew.
The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad
This haunting story is a psychological exploration of identity and morality. The story follows a young captain who harbors a mysterious stowaway on his ship. As the captain becomes more emotionally involved with the stowaway, he begins to question his own motivations.
The Swimmer by John Cheever
This allegorical story is a reflection on the nature of change and mortality. The story follows a man who decides to swim home across all the swimming pools in his affluent neighborhood. As he progresses through the pools, he reflects on the various stages of his life.
The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
This humorous story is a classic example of a case of mistaken identity. The story follows two men who kidnap a young boy for ransom, only to find that the boy is a wild and untamable force.
The Open Window by Saki
This mischievous story is a classic example of the unreliable narrator. The story follows a young woman who tells a visitor a tale of her family's tragic history, only to reveal at the end that the entire story was an elaborate prank.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
This powerful story is a meditation on the nature of life and death. The story follows a man named Ivan Ilyich who, as he lies dying, reflects on the meaning of his life and the choices he has made.
An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
This epic story is a sweeping exploration of love, ambition, and morality. The story follows a young man named Clyde Griffiths, who is torn between his love for a woman and his desire for success and social standing.
The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
This dark and haunting story is a powerful examination of imperialism and racism. The story follows a man named Marlow, who travels up the Congo River to meet with a legendary figure named Kurtz. As he navigates the treacherous landscape and confronts the darkness within himself, Marlow begins to question the morality of his mission.
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
This insightful story is a reflection on class and privilege. The story follows a young woman named Laura, who is planning a garden party for her wealthy family. When a neighbor dies on the day of the party, Laura becomes increasingly aware of the unfairness of her privileged life.
Billy Budd by Herman Melville
This complex story is a meditation on the nature of justice and morality. The story follows a young sailor named Billy Budd, who is falsely accused of mutiny and sentenced to death. As he faces his execution, he reflects on the nature of justice and the role of the individual in society.
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
This classic horror story is a masterful exploration of atmosphere and mood. The story follows a man who visits his friend's ancient and decaying mansion. As he becomes increasingly unnerved by the supernatural occurrences that take place, he begins to suspect that his friend's fate is intertwined with that of the house itself.
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
This classic fairy tale is a powerful allegory about love and redemption. The story follows two children who are separated when one is captured by the wicked Snow Queen. As the other child sets out to rescue her friend, she learns the true meaning of love and sacrifice.
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall by Katherine Anne Porter
This poignant story is a meditation on the nature of memory and mortality. The story follows a woman named Granny Weatherall, who is reflecting on her life as she lies on her deathbed. As she confronts the memories of her past and the fear of the unknown future, she comes to a profound realization.
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
This classic horror story is a masterful exploration of terror and suspense. The story follows a man who is imprisoned in a dungeon and subjected to a horrific series of tortures. As he struggles to survive, he is forced to confront the darkest parts of his own psyche.
The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving
This classic story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and corruption. The story follows a man named Tom Walker, who makes a deal with the devil to become wealthy. As his fortunes rise, however, he begins to realize the true cost of his greed.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
This classic novel is a powerful exploration of the nature of fear and bravery. The story follows a young soldier named Henry Fleming, who experiences the horrors of war firsthand. As he confronts his own fear and doubts, he ultimately comes to understand the true nature of courage.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
This heartwarming story is a Christmas classic. The story follows a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet. In a selfless act of love, they each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other.
The Fall of Edward Barnard by W. Somerset Maugham
This tragic story is a meditation on the nature of love and loss. The story follows a woman named Mildred Rogers, who destroys the life of a man named Edward Barnard by seducing him and then discarding him.
These 42 classic English short stories are some of the best works of literature ever written. They showcase the power of storytelling and the many ways that words can impact our lives. So, whether you're in the mood for horror, humor, or heartwarming tales, there's something on this list for everyone.