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Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

In “The Lottery,” a short story by Shirley Jackson published in The New Yorker on June 26, 1948, the residents of a small town participate in an annual lottery, which at first glance appears to be an innocent community tradition. However, a disturbing reality behind this entrenched practice is revealed as the narrative unfolds. The story delves into social conformity, the aversion to change, and the sinister nature that can lie in the traditions of a community. It is a disturbing story, controversial in its time, which has become one of the most relevant short stories in the history of the American narrative.

Ray Bradbury: The Dragon. Summary and analysis

The Dragon is a short story by Ray Bradbury, published in August 1955 in Esquire magazine. The story follows two medieval knights who, in the middle of a desolate wasteland shrouded in darkness, await the arrival of a fearsome dragon that devours solitary travelers. As the night progresses, one of them feels that time in that place is strange, as if the world were trapped in an eternal cycle. With their spears at the ready and fear in their hearts, the warriors prepare to face the creature, unaware of the truth that awaits them.

The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

Read the best stories by Edgar Allan Poe, master of horror and mystery. Discover disturbing tales such as “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Black Cat”. Explore his literary genius with full stories available free of charge.

Ray Bradbury: The Playground. Summary and analysis

The Playground is a short story by Ray Bradbury, published in 1952 in the collection The Illustrated Man. The story follows Charles Underhill, a widowed man who, after the death of his wife, becomes obsessed with protecting his son Jim from the dangers of childhood. When his sister Carol decides to take the boy to a playground, Underhill visits him and is horrified by the brutality with which the children play. As his anxiety grows, he faces a disturbing decision that will lead him to question how far he is willing to go to save his son.

Ray Bradbury: The Dragon

“The Dragon” is a short story by Ray Bradbury published in Esquire in August 1955. It tells the story of two men waiting by a fire in a desolate nocturnal wasteland, fearful of the presence of a legendary dragon that devours solitary travelers. The darkness and the cold increase their anxiety as they talk about the terrifying beast, described as having eyes of fire and deadly breath. As the night progresses, the men prepare for an inevitable confrontation. When the dragon appears, they don their armor and mount their horses, marching towards an inevitable clash with their destiny.

Clark Ashton Smith: The Death of Malygris

The Death of Malygris is a story by Clark Ashton Smith, published in April 1934 in the magazine Weird Tales. Set in the mythical Poseidonis, it explores the mystery surrounding the fate of the fearsome sorcerer Malygris. King Gadeiron summons the most powerful magicians of Susran to confirm whether the sorcerer is dead, because although no one has seen him move or speak in a long time, his presence continues to inspire terror. Using forbidden arts, and knowing the dangers to which they are exposed, the conjurers try to unravel the enigma surrounding the sorcerer.