Short stories | Lecturia

J. G. Ballard: The Subliminal Man

The Subliminal Man is a short story by J. G. Ballard, first published in January 1963 in New Worlds Science Fiction and later included in The Terminal Beach (1964). Dr. Franklin lives in a society obsessed with consumerism, where standardization and the constant replacement of goods define everyday life. Hathaway, an old acquaintance known for his eccentric and conspiratorial ideas, tries to warn him about mysterious giant structures that, according to him, control people’s minds through subliminal messages. Initially skeptical, Franklin begins to suspect that Hathaway’s theories might not be so far-fetched after all.

Oscar Wilde: The Fisherman and His Soul

“The Fisherman and His Soul” is a short story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1891 in the book A House of Pomegranates. It tells the story of a young fisherman who one day catches a mermaid in his nets. Fascinated by her beauty and enchanting voice, he agrees to set her free on the condition that, whenever he calls her, she will return to sing for him. As time goes by, the fisherman falls deeply in love and becomes willing to make any sacrifice to live with her in the sea — even to give up his own soul.

Philip K. Dick: The Golden Man

“The Golden Man” is a short story by Philip K. Dick, published in April 1954 in If magazine. In a post-war world, humans face a disturbing threat: mutants with genetic abilities that give them strange and dangerous powers. George Baines, a government agent, is tasked with tracking down and eliminating these beings. His mission takes him to a remote farm where Cris, a young man of extraordinary beauty with golden skin and hair, lives. His silent presence hides an incomprehensible power that will test Baines’ effectiveness and the system’s ability to control mutants.

Fredric Brown: Something Green

Something Green is a short story by Fredric Brown, published in 1951 as part of the collection Space on My Hands. It tells the story of McGarry, a space explorer stranded for years on Kruger III, a hostile planet dominated by shades of red and violet. He survives by traversing dangerous jungles, armed with a solar-powered pistol and accompanied by Dorothy, a small creature that rests on his shoulder and keeps him company. Isolated and clinging to the memory of Earth and the green that once filled it, McGarry dreams of finding parts to repair his ship and return to the only world he calls home.

Henry Kuttner & C. L. Moore: What You Need

“What You Need” is a science fiction short story written by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, first published in Astounding Science Fiction in October 1945. The story follows Tim Carmichael, a cynical and ambitious journalist who, intrigued by the display window of a mysterious shop on Park Avenue, steps into the enigmatic business of Peter Talley — a man who claims to have exactly what each person needs. Fascinated by this strange establishment, Carmichael becomes obsessed with uncovering its secret, unaware that he is about to confront a disturbing power that will put his fate to the test.

Arthur Conan Doyle: Playing With Fire

“Playing with Fire” is a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in March 1900 in The Strand Magazine. The story follows a small group of intellectuals and occult enthusiasts who, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore beyond the material world, organize séances in a London house. The arrival of an enigmatic French visitor, an expert in psychic phenomena, introduces an unexpected twist to their experiments. As the session progresses, the participants cross increasingly dangerous boundaries, and what begins as a game becomes a disturbing and out-of-control experience.