Short stories | Lecturia

H. G. Wells: The Door in the Wall

“The Door in the Wall,” a story by H.G. Wells published in The Daily Chronicle in 1906, tells the story of Lionel Wallace, a man who, as a child, discovers a mysterious door in a wall that promises to lead him to a place of extraordinary beauty and serenity. Throughout his life, the door reappears before his eyes on several occasions. However, the obligations of everyday life always prevent Wallace from escaping to that world of magic where he knows he will be happy. The narrative, full of mystery and symbolism, delves into the permanent human conflict between the satisfaction of daily duties and ambitions and the desire to escape where life can be lived in peace and tranquillity.

Patricia Highsmith: The Perfect Little Lady

The Perfect Little Lady is a short story by Patricia Highsmith, published in 1975 in the collection Kleine Geschichtgen für Weiberfeinde. It tells the story of Theadora, a girl who, from birth, is considered a model of perfection. She is always impeccable, polite, and charming and embodies elegance and good manners. However, her reserved nature keeps her from other children, who view her suspiciously. While the others play and have fun, Theadora forges her path in a world that does not always accept her.

Ernest Hemingway: The Killers

The Killers is a short story by Ernest Hemingway published in 1927 in Scribner’s Magazine. The story takes place in a small café in a village called Summit, where two mysterious men enter and begin to act threateningly. George, the café owner, and Nick Adams, a young customer, soon discover that the strangers have arrived to meet Ole Andreson, a former boxer who arrives every day at six o’clock for dinner.

José María Arguedas: The Pongo’s Dream

José María Arguedas - El sueño del pongo 2

The Pongo’s Dream (El sueño del pongo), a folk tale compiled by José María Arguedas, narrates the life of a pongo, an indigenous servant in a hacienda, who suffers constant humiliation and abuse at the hands of his master. Despite his humble status and frail appearance, the pongo carries out his tasks diligently, although always surrounded by an aura of sadness and resignation. One day, the pongo tells his boss about a dream in which they both appear dead and are judged very peculiarly by San Francisco, revealing a profound reflection on justice and human dignity.

Jorge Luis Borges: The House of Asterion

The House of Asterion, a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, published in 1947 in Los Anales de Buenos Aires and later included in the collection El Aleph (1949), explores the life of Asterion, a mythical and enigmatic character who lives in a unique, vast and labyrinthine house. Through a first-person narrative, Asterion describes his solitary existence in this mysterious house, where he entertains himself with various games and reflections while awaiting the arrival of the promised Redeemer.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Masque of the Red Death

The Masque of the Red Death, a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1842, immerses the reader in an allegory about the inevitability of death. Set in an indeterminate time plagued by a devastating plague known as the Red Death, the kingdom’s prince decides to isolate himself in his fortified abbey along with other nobles, seeking to escape the disease. He organizes a luxurious masked ball in his refuge, ignoring the suffering ravaging the outside world. However, some guests do show up, even if they are not called.