The best 2010s short stories usually have a strong sense of character development in a short space. Take 'The Husband Stitch'. In just a few pages, it creates complex and memorable characters. They also often have a subversive element, challenging the status quo in society, whether it's about gender roles, as in some feminist short stories of the decade, or about economic disparities.
The stories are often simple yet engaging. They usually have clear moral lessons, like how to be kind or hard - working.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
One characteristic is his use of concise language. Hemingway was a master at stripping away excess words. His best short stories often have a sense of underlying tension, like in 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', where the main character's internal struggle with his past and his approaching death creates a palpable mood. Another aspect is his portrayal of masculinity, which is complex and often under pressure.
Maupassant's best short stories are often characterized by their realism. He portrays the society and people of his time very accurately. His stories usually have a concise and direct writing style, getting to the point quickly. For example, in 'The Necklace', he shows the vanity and the consequences of it in a simple yet powerful way.
Premchand's best short stories often have a strong sense of realism. They vividly depict the lives of ordinary people in India, including their struggles, joys, and sorrows.
Hemingway's best short stories are often marked by their realistic settings. He drew from his own experiences in different parts of the world, like in Spain for some of his stories. This gives his works an authenticity. His characters are usually complex individuals with their own internal conflicts. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the couple's unspoken issues about pregnancy are presented subtly through their conversation. And his writing style, with short sentences and sparse dialogue, forces the readers to read between the lines and engage more deeply with the story.
His stories usually feature complex characters. In 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich', Ivan is a multi - dimensional character with his own fears, regrets, and realizations as he nears death. This makes the story more engaging and thought - provoking.
Cortazar's best short stories are often marked by their complex and innovative narrative structures. For example, in 'Blow - Up', he plays with the concept of perception and reality. The stories also typically feature vivid and unique characters, who often find themselves in surreal or unexpected situations.
One characteristic is his vivid character descriptions. In his stories, characters are complex and multi - faceted, like real people. Another is his detailed settings which often mirror the social and cultural context of the time. Also, his use of language is precise and engaging, drawing readers into the stories easily.