What are some free famous short stories to start with?

One of the most famous is 'The Necklace'. It tells the story of a woman who borrows a diamond necklace for a party, loses it, and then spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out in the end that the original necklace was a fake. Another is 'Boule de Suif', which is set during the Franco - Prussian War and shows the hypocrisy of different social classes.

'Big Two - Hearted River' is a significant short story. It focuses on a man named Nick Adams who goes fishing. Through this simple activity, Hemingway delves into Nick's state of mind, his post - war trauma perhaps. The detailed descriptions of the river and the fishing process are not just about the activity itself but also a way to understand the character's inner self.

One of the most famous is 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's a chilling story about a narrator who tries to convince the reader of his sanity while describing how he murdered an old man. The story is full of psychological tension.

One great option is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a short but very touching story about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions for each other. It shows the true meaning of love and selflessness.

Katherine Mansfield is an author who has created some wonderful love short stories. Her works are often characterized by her unique use of language and her ability to capture the subtleties of human relationships. Additionally, James Joyce has some short stories that deal with love, although his works are also known for their complex and experimental nature.

'The Dwarf' by Cho Se - hui is also very good. It delves into themes of human nature and society in a thought - provoking way. It's a story that can make you think deeply about various aspects of life. And it's not too long or complex for someone new to Korean short stories.

I would recommend 'The Last Question' by Isaac Asimov. It's a classic that explores deep concepts about the universe and the future of humanity in a relatively short space. Another great one is 'All You Zombies' by Robert A. Heinlein. It has a mind - bending time - travel plot. And 'A Martian Odyssey' by Stanley G. Weinbaum is also very good. It offers a fascinating look at what life on Mars might be like.

You could start with 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury. It shows the consequences of time travel in a very vivid way. 'Surface Tension' by James Blish is also a great choice. It tells a story about microscopic life forms and their struggle for survival, which is presented in a very sci - fi way.

One good one to start with is 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?'. It's a rather famous short story that showcases Oates' ability to create complex characters and a sense of unease. It's relatively short but packs a lot of punch.

I'd also recommend 'A&P' by John Updike. It's a story that gives a vivid picture of a young man's perspective in a grocery store setting. It's well - written and can give you a taste of the kind of in - depth character studies that are often found in New Yorker short stories. The language is engaging and the story is quite thought - provoking.