Showing results by publisher "Simply Media" in Anthologies

The story centers on an impoverished clerk who is dedicated to his job as a routine copyist but not recognized for his hard work. Younger clerks mock him for his dedication. His threadbare overcoat is mocked as well. He saves up to buy a new one and wears it for one glorious evening, only to have it stolen that night. He dies soon after from his great loss. Thereafter, his ghost is reported to haunt that part of St. Petersburg where the coat was stolen.

The brilliance of this story is in how a normal bureaucrat, a judge in this case, has a small accident that winds up gradually taking his life. As he deals with this incident, with hope at first and then despair, he comes to terms with his family, his life, and the mediocrities that we all suffer with, except for the exceptional few. This story rings a particularly poignant note for those in early middle age facing the next part of their lives. This story is considered Tolstoy's best.

"White Nights" is the third major Dostoyevsky short story that everyone should read or listen to, along with "A Faint Heart" and "The Christmas Tree and Wedding". The story contains a series of Winesburg, Ohio-like moments: a woman and man meet on the First Night; proceed to meet again on the Second and Third, almost fall in love, and at the last minute the former lover of the woman returns to take her away. But the point is that the man had a glorious moment....

Arthur Conan Doyle agreed with Sherlock Holmes fans that The Speckled Band was his best Holmes story. The narrative moves along at a rapid pace, with Holmes making many witty and spot-on points based on evidence that only Holmes could deduce.

"The Ransom of Red Chief" may be the most widely read story in grammar, middle, and high school. Young people can relate to 10-year-old Red Chief, his father, who makes the kidnappers pay him back in order to take Red Chief off their hands....

The story starts with the hotel owner trolling for guests at the train station and finding three: the Swede, the Cowboy, and the Easterner. As with many stories the personalities are known by their titles not their names; the two known by their names are the hotel keeper, Scully, and his son Johnny. The first major event is in a play for fun (no money) card game in which the Swede accuses Johnny of cheating. Johnny skillfully defends himself by saying he won't put up with the accusation, while side stepping the truth of the matter.

"The District Doctor" is a wonderful Turgenev short story that appealed and influenced American authors, such as Henry James and F. Scott Fitzgerald for its writing style, and Sherwood Anderson and Ernest Hemingway for its focus on moments. As the Doctor says to a new acquaintance, "Sometimes you know people for a long time and never talk about anything that touches the soul; sometimes you start there on the first conversation."

Oscar Wilde's wit and meaning is at its best in this ghost story, considered by many the best ever written. Wilde's dialogue lends himself to narration because of his quick wit and delivery. Here he presents a traditional English ghost that Americans refuse to accept, but both parties finally work together to end the controversy. One of the great short stories of all time.

47 Great Russian Novels

Seven of Charles Dickens' best ghost and thriller stories, which have been widely read and beloved worldwide. This collection celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. These stories provide a wonderful introduction Dickens before embarking upon his long novels; after these stories, listening to his longer novels becomes even more of a pleasure. Perfect for students and teachers seeking an understanding and appreciation of Dickens, without the time to engage with his long novels.

"The Five White Mice" should be counted as one of Stephen Crane's great short stories. It has many parallels to "The Bride Comes to the Yellow Sky", with a stand off moment that was the turning point in many people's lives. In this case as in "The Bride Comes to the Yellow Sky", the Scratchy Wilson figure takes a step back, as Scratch did, and the dangerous moment passed by.

A story that has a version of Uriah Heap, a story within a story, touching on the themes of death and deliverance, anger and revenge. This is a classic short story well worth introducing to young listeners to before they embark on the longer voyage of Dickens' novels. Dickens employs wonderful character names here, such as Mr. Heap and here Mr. Slinkton. Cathartic and uplifting. (American accent narration.)

These are Stephen Crane's three most famous short stories. He also wrote others of great value, but these are the ones that stand out the most. Each one has themes relating to life, death, random acts, danger, and delight. This audiobook is the place to start for newcomers to Crane. This recording contains forwards and afterwords that can be listened to or skipped over per listener preference.

An interesting story about how a boy goes to school with new mittens his mother wants him to protect. To do so he cannot join in a snowball fight with his friends with parents less scrupulous about clothing and the like. The boy ultimately gives in, gets in trouble with his mother, is made to eat alone, attempts to run away much but only makes it to their cold shed.He then gathers his forces to leave for California - wherever that might be.

> Comfortable is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who learns in her senior year that her parents are getting divorced; wants to find a proper romantic relationship; studies martial arts for self-defense; and is confronted by two attackers, whom she takes out and kills in self-defense. It features a rather stunning conclusion.

Here is one of Oscar Wilde's wonderful fairy tales, about a giant, the children he meets, and the Christ Child. A moving story, good to hear all year 'round - but especially in the Christmas season.

>"The Cop and the Anthem" may be the third most widely read O. Henry story in grammar, middle, and high school. "The Ransom of Red Chief" rates number one, "The Gift of the Magi" number two, and "A Retrieved Reformation" number four. Young readers enjoy this story a lot because of the hilarious plot of Soapy, the only named character, trying to get arrested so he can spend the winter in jail. Adults tend to like the ironic approach of Soapy’s potential victims....

One of Oscar Wilde's best-loved short stories, which includes romance, love, and murder. The discussion of murder is light-hearted and witty, in typical Wilde fashion. A must listen for fans of the author.

"The Gift of the Magi" is not read or heard widely after one leaves high school, which is a shame, because it is such a magical story about expectations being crushed by realities, and the turn of events, which O. Henry was so masterful at achieving. The interesting twist is that these two people both sacrifice for each other, but that means neither of their gifts works out as planned. However (and O. Henry is full of howevers), the two are deeply in love and shrug it off and move on in their happiness.

Four of Oscar Wilde's best stories - perhaps his best work of all. In any case, these selections are well worth hearing for their wide range of thoughts, emotions, and wit. An afterword is included for those interested. (American accent narration.)