First published 1990
This anthology brings together the most comprehensive collection of short fiction available for classroom use. R. V. Cassill has selected stories that span from established classics to contemporary works, creating a resource that serves both readers discovering the form and aspiring writers studying the craft. The collection represents the field's breadth, offering stories that demonstrate different techniques, styles, and approaches to short fiction. Students and instructors have relied on this Norton anthology as their primary text for understanding how short stories work. The selection balances accessibility with literary merit, ensuring that readers encounter both familiar masters and newer voices. Each story contributes to a larger understanding of what short fiction can accomplish, from brief character studies to complex narrative experiments. The anthology serves as both introduction and reference, guiding readers through the evolution and possibilities of the short story form.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, anthologies, 20th-century, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Alabama, Mallard Residence, Owl Creek Bridge, United States
Period: 1861-65, 19th Century
1750 pages · Paperback · W. W. Norton & Company