Short stories | Lecturia

Mary Shelley: The Trial of Love. Full Story, Summary and Analysis

«The Trial of Love» is a story by Mary Shelley, published in 1834. It tells the story of Angeline, a young orphan who lives in a convent and maintains a secret love with Ippolito, a young aristocrat. Both undergo a year’s trial of separation without communicating, promised to Ippolito’s father, to prove the constancy of their feelings. The arrival of Faustina, Angeline’s childhood friend, tests the lovers’ loyalty and destiny.

Ray Bradbury: The Handler

“The Handler,” a short story by Ray Bradbury published in 1947, tells the story of Mr. Benedict, a man who runs a funeral business, a church, and a cemetery, all in the exact location. Benedict feels a deep inferiority complex and spends his days enduring the scorn and insults of the town’s neighbors. In his … Read more

Agatha Christie: The Sign in the Sky

“The Sign in the Sky” is a story by Agatha Christie selected by Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares for their anthology “The Best Police Stories” (1962). The plot revolves around Mr. Satterthwaite, who, after witnessing a trial in which Martin Wylde is convicted of the murder of Vivian Barnaby, harbors doubts about the … Read more

Roald Dahl: Man from the South

“Man from the South,” a Roald Dahl short story published in 1948, tells about an unusual bet that takes place in a hotel in Jamaica. The story begins when a man enjoys the hotel’s ambiance and talks with a peculiar older man. Later, an American naval cadet and a young Englishwoman join the group. During the chat, the cadet brags that his lighter always works. In response, the older man proposes a challenge: if the lighter works ten times in a row, he will win a Cadillac; if it fails just once, the cadet must give him the little finger of his left hand.

Arthur Conan Doyle: The Brazilian Cat

“The Brazilian Cat,” a short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1898, tells the story of Marshall King, a man who, due to his dissipated life, faces severe economic problems. Although he is the direct heir of Lord Southerton, one of the wealthiest aristocrats in England, he receives no help from him or the … Read more

Edgar Allan Poe: The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar

“The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar,” a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1845, explores the boundaries of life and death through hypnosis. The story’s protagonist, a hypnotism expert, decides to experiment with Mr. Valdemar, who is on his deathbed. Since Valdemar is seriously ill and has no relatives in America who could object, he voluntarily agrees to the test. The plot unfolds in Valdemar’s room, where the protagonist and other witnesses observe the effects of the hypnotism applied just as Valdemar is about to pass away. Their discoveries are surprising.