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H. G. Wells: The Magic Shop

The Magic Shop is a story by H.G. Wells, published in 1903, that transports us to a place full of mysteries and surprises. A father, accompanied by his son Gip, enters an ordinary magic shop that reveals itself as an enchanted space where the amazing comes to life. Crystal balls that materialize out of nowhere mirrors that distort reality, and doors that appear and disappear create an atmosphere that oscillates between the wonderful and the disturbing. The fine line between fantasy and reality is completely blurred in this magical bazaar.

Arthur C. Clarke: Dial F for Frankenstein

Dial “F” for Frankenstein is a short story by Arthur C. Clarke, published in January 1965 in Playboy magazine. The story begins with a mysterious global event: in the early morning hours, all the world’s telephones ring in unison, emitting an enigmatic sound that nobody can quite figure out. Amid the confusion, a group of engineers and scientists begin to exchange theories while reflecting on the implications of the new satellite communications network. What initially seems like a simple technical failure soon leads to disturbing questions about the excess of technology and its possible consequences.

Oscar Wilde: The Happy Prince. Summary and analysis

The Happy Prince is a story by Oscar Wilde, published in 1888 in the collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. The story begins with a majestic statue of a prince covered in gold and precious stones that stands above a city. From on high, he observes the suffering of the poorest and weeps for them. A swallow, which stops to rest at his feet before leaving for Egypt, becomes his messenger. At the Prince’s request, the Swallow brings riches to the needy, beginning a story of compassion and sacrifice that will transform both characters.

The Stories of Oscar Wilde

Discover the best stories by Oscar Wilde, master of wit and fantasy literature. Explore unforgettable tales such as The Happy Prince and The Canterville Ghost, full of beauty, irony and depth. Read his complete stories and immerse yourself in his literary universe.

Virginia Woolf: The String Quartet

The String Quartet is a short story by Virginia Woolf, published in 1921 in the collection Monday or Tuesday. The narrative captures the sensory experience of a chamber music concert through a spectator’s mind immersed in a stream of thoughts and memories. As she watches the musicians and listens to the melody, her consciousness drifts between fleeting impressions of the audience, dialogues between strangers, and scenes evoked by the music. The fragmented and lyrical story explores the relationship between art and perception, allowing the harmony of the quartet to intertwine with the flow of memory and imagination.

Arthur C. Clarke: The Star. Summary and analysis

The Star is a short story by Arthur C. Clarke, published in November 1955 in Infinity Science Fiction. It tells the story of a space expedition investigating the remains of an ancient supernova. The protagonist, a Jesuit priest, and astrophysicist reflects on his faith as he observes the devastation caused by the stellar explosion. On a distant planet, the crew discovers the remains of an advanced civilization that tried to preserve its legacy before the catastrophe. As the priest analyzes the history of that lost world, he begins to question his beliefs and the nature of the universe.