Around 1970 I saw a book with a title like "The Best Short Short
Stories". It was a collection of what the editors considered top
notch tales of 500 words or less. I think it was published between
1965 and 1975. One of the stories was about a soldier who opens a
sealed order not intended for his own eyes and finds out he is to be
executed. I think this is among the list of stories described on the
back cover of the book. The version I saw was paperback. Does
anybody know the exact title, editor, and year of publication? |
Request for Question Clarification by
leli-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 05:38 PDT
Hello statman
I've found a book which is a good match for your description - title
and short story both fit well - except that the story is over 2000
words. Are you sure about the 500 words maximum?
This story collection was first published in the late fifties, but
fresh editions came out between 1965 and 1975.
Looking forward to hearing what you think - Leli
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Clarification of Question by
statman-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 08:53 PDT
Leli:
The book I'm thinking of has an introductory explanation from the
editor about the difference between writing short and short short
stories. In this introduction, the editor may have commented that it
is difficult to write a good short short story in less than 500 words,
or maybe he said 500 words was the shortest length story they would
put in the collection.
If you have access to the book, can you check to see if there is an
introduction like this?
Joe
statman-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
leli-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 10:14 PDT
Joe
Sorry, I don't have access to the book, but I have a list of its
contents. There are thirty-five stories in 183 pages. The title
confirms that it is a collection of "short short" stories. Admittedly,
most definitions of "short short" stories say 1500 words or less, but
the story about the soldier is one of the longest in the book.
He reads the orders less than half way through the story, and there
are twists and turns before the end. I'm not sure if you'd like me to
outline the plot. Would it spoil the story for you? Or do you remember
it clearly anyway?
Leli
|
Clarification of Question by
statman-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 13:06 PDT
Leli,
No need to spill the plot of the soldier story.
Can you send the list of the first ten stories?
Thanks.
Joe
statman-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
leli-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 13:27 PDT
Yes, no problem:
The Shanahan Strad, by Paul Jones
Dinner for Monsieur Martin, by Georges Surdez
The Secret in Green, by Mary Dirlam
The Eyes of Mr. Lovides, by John Godey
To Remember These Things, by Milton White
Champion Stock, by Bud Murphy
Double Payment, by Peter Brackett
Frame of Mind, by Sam F. Ciulla
The Cub, by Lois Dykeman Kleihauer
Coroner?s Inquest, by Marc Connelly
Smart Kid, by Lawrence Williams
Code of the Underworld, by Jim Kjelgaard
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Clarification of Question by
statman-ga
on
16 Jun 2004 16:26 PDT
leli:
Yes, I think that is the book I am looking for.
You can give the collection title, editor, and publication year for the answer.
Thanks.
Joe
statman-ga
|
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