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Ambrose Bierce: An Inhabitant of Carcosa

An Inhabitant of Carcosa is a haunting story by Ambrose Bierce, published in the San Francisco Newsletter on 25 December 1886. The story recounts the experience of a man who awakens in a desolate and mysterious landscape populated by withered grasses, dry trees, and ruins that seem to speak of a forgotten past. Lost in these bleak surroundings, the protagonist searches for the path to the ancient city of Carcosa as he ponders the nature of life, death, and his existence, confronting an enigma that transcends time and reality.

F. Scott Fitzgerald: Pat Hobby’s Christmas Wish

Pat Hobby’s Christmas Wish is a short story by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, published in Esquire in January 1940. The story follows Pat Hobby, a mediocre and declining screenwriter, trapped in the Hollywood studio grind and forced to work on Christmas Eve. His bitter existence takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Helen Kagle, his new secretary, who, barely settled in, bursts into tears, leaving Pat bewildered. In trying to console her, Pat discovers that Helen is keeping a secret about a top studio executive and a letter that could change, perhaps forever, their fortunes.

Isaac Asimov: Christmas Without Rodney. Summary and analysis

In Isaac Asimov’s Christmas Without Rodney, Howard and his wife Gracie face holiday chaos when Gracie gives their faithful household robot, Rodney, a holiday during the family’s Christmas visit. Their son, DeLancey, his haughty wife, Hortense, and their spoiled child, LeRoy, bring their ultra-modern robot, Rambo, whose sleek design proves useless in the couple’s old-fashioned home. Blending humor, family conflict, and subtle exploration of robotics, the story raises profound questions about human relationships, technology, and the limits of artificial intelligence.

Philip K. Dick: Foster, You’re Dead

Foster, You’re Dead is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, published in Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3 in 1955. In a society obsessed with preparing for nuclear war, Mike Foster faces the stigma of being the son of an ‘anti-P’, someone who refuses to buy bomb shelters or contribute to the community defence system. While his peers make booby traps and knives at school, he lives with the constant humiliation and fear of not having a shelter to protect him. Social pressure and fear drive him to crave security in a world where paranoia has become a lucrative business.

O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi. Summary and analysis

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a story about love and sacrifice on Christmas Eve. Della and Jim, a young couple struggling with poverty, each sell something precious to buy a gift for the other. Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. When they exchange gifts, they realise the futility of their sacrifices but also the depth of their love. The story shows that the greatest gifts are those born of selflessness and devotion.

O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi is a short story by O. Henry, first published in The New York Sunday World on 10 December 1905. The narrative revolves around Delia and Jim, a young couple residing in a modest apartment. On Christmas Eve, with only a meagre sum of barely a dollar and eighty-seven cents to her name, Delia finds herself in a desperate situation, striving to procure a suitable gift for her husband. Driven by a profound sense of affection, she makes a decision that entails significant personal deprivation. The poignant and straightforward account illuminates the value of altruistic love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for those they hold most dear.