Short stories | Lecturia

Poul Anderson: The Man Who Came Early

“The Man Who Came Early” is a short story by Poul Anderson, first published in June 1956 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. An elderly Icelandic farmer from the tenth century recounts to a Christian priest the mysterious arrival of a stranger who, after a great storm, appeared wandering along the shore. Dressed in unfamiliar clothing and carrying strange artifacts, the newcomer claimed to come from a thousand years in the future and from a great nation that did not yet exist. Though skeptical—and at times taking him for a madman—a family decides to take him in and offer him shelter. Grateful, the man tries to adapt to that primitive society while recounting astonishing tales of his own time.

Mary Shelley: The Evil Eye

“The Evil Eye” is a short story by Mary Shelley, first published in 1829 in The Keepsake and later collected in Tales and Stories (1891). Set in the Balkans under Ottoman rule, it tells the story of Dmitri, a feared Albanian bandit believed to possess the supernatural power to cause harm with his gaze. His tragic past and formidable reputation inspire fear and superstition among the region’s inhabitants. When a former companion arrives seeking his help to recover a family inheritance, Dmitri agrees to take part in a scheme that will lead him through a labyrinth of adventures, where violence, honor, and a thirst for revenge threaten to awaken ghosts long thought buried.

Bram Stoker: Gibbet Hill

“Gibbet Hill” is a short story by Bram Stoker, published on December 17, 1890, in the Daily Express of Dublin. On an autumn day, a traveler explores the hills of Surrey. As he admires the beauty of the place, three figures catch his attention: two girls of exotic appearance, who seem to have come from India, and a fair-haired boy with an angelic smile. After speaking with them, they climb together to the summit of Gibbet Hill, a place of breathtaking views where a cross stands in memory of the execution of a former criminal. Intoxicated by the landscape, the traveler wanders into a wood and falls into a brief sleep. Upon waking, he will witness a disturbing scene.

Damon Knight: Shall the Dust Praise Thee?

“Shall the Dust Praise Thee?” is a short story by Damon Knight, published in 1967 in the anthology Dangerous Visions. The Day of Wrath has finally arrived: the heavens open, trumpets sound, and the throne of God appears, wreathed in fire, to preside over the Last Judgment. Seven angels descend upon the Earth to carry out their missions on the Final Day; however, something prevents them from doing so. The world is not what they expected to find.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Man of the Crowd

“The Man of the Crowd” is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, published in December 1840 in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine and Atkinson’s Casket. A man observes from the window of a London café the ceaseless flow of people along a bustling avenue. For hours he watches and classifies the passersby according to their appearance and behavior: merchants, clerks, gamblers, beggars, prostitutes. As night falls, his attention is captured by an old man with an extraordinarily enigmatic expression. Driven by an irresistible curiosity, he leaves the café to follow the mysterious figure through the nocturnal streets of London.

Charles Dickens: The Poor Relation’s Story

“The Poor Relation’s Story” is a short story by Charles Dickens, published on December 25, 1852, in the magazine Household Words. During a family gathering, Michael—a humble, discreet man—is compelled to begin the round of Christmas tales. In a reflective tone, he opens his narration by setting out the image his family has of him: a failed relative, solitary and penniless, condemned to a drab and routine existence, whose chief enemy is himself. Yet he maintains that behind this appearance, accepted by all, there lies a story very different from the one others believe they know.