Short stories | Lecturia

Harlan Ellison: “Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman

“Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman is a short story by Harlan Ellison, published in December 1965 in Galaxy Magazine, and winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards in 1966. Set in a society obsessed with punctuality and the control of time, the story follows the Harlequin, an eccentric rebel who challenges the rigid system imposed by the Time Keeper, also known as Mr. Tick-Tock. Through his jokes and chaotic acts, the Harlequin upsets the established order and defies the rules of a world where tardiness is severely punished. The narrative combines humor and social criticism and explores the consequences of disobedience in a totalitarian system.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Premature Burial

The Premature Burial is a story by Edgar Allan Poe, published on July 31, 1844, in the Dollar Newspaper, in which he reflects on the terror provoked by the idea of being buried alive. In a somber and captivating style, the protagonist describes a series of cases of people who have suffered this terrible experience while relating his own experiences and the methods he employs to avoid such a tragedy. With a style halfway between fiction and journalistic account, Poe addresses one of the oldest atavistic fears while immersing the reader in an atmosphere of macabre fascination.

D. H. Lawrence: The Rocking-Horse Winner

The Rocking-Horse Winner is a haunting and moving short story by D. H. Lawrence, published in July 1926 in Harper’s Bazaar magazine. It tells the story of an upper-middle-class family who, trapped by the need to keep up appearances, live under the constant pressure of economic scarcity. Paul, the eldest son, is deeply affected by this situation and decides to look for a solution to alleviate the financial tensions of the household. Despite his young age, with the complicity of the gardener, he enters the world of gambling. Meanwhile, the house seems to come to life, whispering tirelessly: “There must be more money!”

Richard Matheson: Dress of White Silk

In “Dress of White Silk” by Richard Matheson, a young girl under the care of her grandmother is obsessed with her deceased mother’s white silk dress. The grandmother forbids her to enter her mother’s room, but the girl constantly disobeys to feel a connection to her mother through the dress. One day, her friend Mary Jane challenges her to prove the existence of the dress. When the girl finally shows it, a confrontation erupts, triggering a disturbing event.

Richard Matheson: Blood Son

Blood Son is a disturbing short story by Richard Matheson published in Imagination in April 1951. The story follows Jules, a strange and lonely boy who, from birth, proves to be different: his appearance, behavior, and obsession with darkness baffle his surroundings. His fascination with vampires arises after watching a Dracula movie, which leads him to immerse himself in a dangerous fixation with the idea of becoming one. As Jules seeks to make sense of his obsession, his life turns dark and disturbing, reflecting his struggle to belong in a world he doesn’t understand.

Jorge Luis Borges: Death and the Compass

Death and the Compass is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, published in May 1942 in Sur magazine. It narrates the investigation of detective Erik Lönnrot into a series of apparently ritualistic crimes that seem to follow an intricate cabalistic logic. The story begins with the murder of a rabbi in a hotel, which Lönnrot connects with a mystical and symbolic background. As the crimes unfold, the detective enters a labyrinth of clues that challenge his wits and lead him to an unexpected outcome.