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.
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.
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.
“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.
Captain Murderer is a disturbing story by Charles Dickens, published on September 8, 1860, in All The Year Round. The story revolves around a dark and enigmatic character, Captain Murderer, who, hidden behind his wealth and charm, seduces young women to make them part of a macabre culinary ritual. With a gloomy atmosphere and disturbing details, Dickens reinvents the essence of the classic story of Bluebeard, immortalized by Charles Perrault, adding his touch of horror and black humor.
Read the best short stories by Mary Shelley, the pioneer of science fiction and Gothic literature. Discover tales of mystery, horror, and the supernatural, including hidden gems beyond Frankenstein. Explore her complete stories for free and delve into her dark and visionary world.