What are some great contemporary short stories?

Some great contemporary fiction short stories include 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' by Raymond Carver. His minimalist style is very effective in portraying the mundanity and complexity of love. 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut is another one. It's a satirical take on equality and the suppression of individuality in society. Also, 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin makes readers question the cost of a utopian society.

Some excellent contemporary science fiction short stories include 'Ava's Demon' by Michelle Czajkowski. It features a complex and interesting world with a strong female lead. 'Saga' by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples is also very popular. It combines science fiction elements with family drama in a space - faring setting. And 'Ms. Marvel' which has some science - fiction elements in its story about a young Muslim girl with superpowers.

One great contemporary short novel is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a chilling story that explores the dark side of human nature through a small town's annual lottery. Another is 'Cat Person' by Kristen Roupenian, which delves into modern relationships in a very relatable way. Also, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is a classic contemporary short novel that showcases her unique Southern Gothic style.

Jhumpa Lahiri is an author of great contemporary short stories. Her works often deal with themes of immigration, cultural identity, and family. For example, in her collection 'Interpreter of Maladies', she tells stories that are both poignant and insightful.

One great example is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. It shows the dark side of human nature in a realistic and somewhat disturbing way. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a thought - provoking story that comments on social traditions and group mentality.

Well, there are quite a few. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a well - known best contemporary short story. It's a feminist classic that delves into the mental state of a woman. 'The Dead' by James Joyce is also among them. Joyce's use of stream - of - consciousness in this story is masterful. And 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway is great. Hemingway's concise and understated writing style makes this story about a couple's unspoken tensions very engaging.

Some well - known ones could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful exploration of racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which depicts a dystopian future with extreme government control. And 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, a coming - of - age story that has resonated with generations.

Some great contemporary novels include 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. This novel is a heart - wrenching exploration of friendship, trauma, and the human condition. It's a long and intense read but very rewarding. 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood is another great one. It's a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, with a focus on the next generation and their fight for change. Also, 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a very creative novel that combines historical events with a unique narrative style, blurring the lines between life and death.

There's 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. Although it's an older work, it has had a huge influence on contemporary gothic short stories. It's about a man's descent into madness over an old man's 'vulture - like' eye. In more recent times, Kelly Link's 'Some Zombie Contingency Plans' has a contemporary gothic feel, with its strange, otherworldly events and dark undertones.

One characteristic is their ability to create a sense of immediate dread. Since they are short, they often jump right into the spooky action. For example, they might start with a strange noise or an unexplained sighting. Another aspect is their use of modern settings and fears. They could involve things like technology going wrong, such as a smart device acting in a menacing way. Also, contemporary horror short stories often have complex and relatable characters. The characters' reactions to the horror feel more real because they are dealing with modern - day problems.