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Graham Greene: The Destructors

Synopsis: In “The Destroyers,” a short story by Graham Greene published in 1954 in Picture Post magazine, a gang of young boys is led by a new and enigmatic member, Trevor, who plans to destroy an old house in their neighborhood. The house, inhabited by Mr. Thomas, had once been a splendid building designed by Christopher Wren. However, it is now the only building left standing after the neighborhood was devastated by wartime bombing. Trevor convinces the gang that, instead of stealing or causing minor damage, they should take advantage of Mr. Thomas’s brief absence to completely demolish the house.

Saki: The Story-Teller

“The Story-Teller,” a story by Hector Hugh Munro (Saki) published in 1914, vividly places us in a train carriage where three children, their aunt, and a man described by the author as a “bachelor” are traveling. Faced with the aunt’s failure to keep the children quiet and frustrated with their restlessness, the man intervenes and tells them a peculiar story to capture their attention.

W. W. Jacobs: The Monkey’s Paw

“The Monkey’s Paw,” a short story by W. W. Jacobs, is a classic tale of horror and fantasy. It is notable for its tense atmosphere and reflection on the implications of altering destiny. The story revolves around the White family, who receive a mysterious magic talisman as a gift, with the ability to grant three wishes. Despite their skepticism, they decide to use the amulet, which leads to a series of catastrophic events.

H. G. Wells: The Stolen Bacillus

The Stolen Bacillus is a short story by H. G. Wells, published on June 21, 1894, in The Pall Mall Budget. The story begins in the laboratory of a bacteriologist who shows a visitor a live culture of the cholera bacillus, explaining its ability to devastate entire cities. The visitor, fascinated by the destructive power of the microorganism, listens attentively as the scientist describes the consequences of its spread. However, a momentary distraction allows the stranger to leave in a hurry, which triggers a frantic chase through London. As the tension mounts, the story takes an unexpected turn.

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.

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