Wish “Paper Garden” appealed more to my taste, Jackelope. Has your friend published much since then? (Like him, I’ve been the youngest, least-published writer in a huge trade anthology featuring many famous short stories, but I haven’t been able to follow through so far. I’m still plugging away–is he? The same year I appeared in that collection, I also published a parody I called “The Nose of Killer Mangiaro.”)
What’s the technical difference? I know some people say a short story should be read in one sitting. But I have read entire novels in one-to-two sittings. Is there a page number cut-off?
Am I on your ignore list or something? Check post #71.
Charles Bukowski; This is an Evil Town
Jim Harrison; Woman Lit by Fireflies
He has, in fact; last year, he published a book of short stories featuring that one; the book is “Paper Garden and Other Stories.” Unfortunately, he went through what I consider a pretty shady publisher, and hasn’t seen a dime from it, even though it’s sold enough that he should have been paid by now. He’s working on a novel now, though he’s keeping it pretty close to the chest and won’t talk about it much, which frustrates my nosy self no end.
He’s also gotten unsolicited nibbles both from a theater director in Vermont(?) who is interested in adapting some of the stories for the stage, and from someone with Lion’s Gate Films(!), who has expressed interest in adapting it for the screen. Both are pretty tenuous right now, but I have high hopes for it; of all the self-proclaimed “writers” I know, he’s clearly the one with no-shit Talent. Not to mention that he’s had a really tough couple of years and damn, I’d like to see something go his way for once.
When I think short story, I think Arthur C. Clarke The Star
It’s a wonderful SF-type O. Henry story. I don’t think he’s an American though by any stretch.
Heavy Set by Ray Bradbury, the scariest story ever written in which nothing happens. Hard to find anthologised - originally from Playboy October 1964. Aside - has anyone ever recognised Playboy’s contribution to short form fiction? I genuinely used to read it for the articles and short stories.
My Old Man by Ernest Hemingway. I get all teary whenever I think of the last few lines. The narrator’s father, a jockey, has died in an accident and Joey overhears a conversation about his father and Hemingway gives us this as the last lines:
*And George Gardner looked at me to see if I’d heard and I had all right and he said, “Don’t you listen to what those bums said, Joe. Your old man was one swell guy.”
But I don’t know. Seems like when they get started they don’t leave a guy nothing.*
I believe the greatest American short story ever written is “Revelation” by Flannery O’Connor. I was so taken by the story the first time I read it that I kept rereading it. It is powerful and mezmerizing.
This should be axiomatic to any list of short stories. Fantastic.
I was surprised at how long it took to list this, bit I suspect Carver isn’t as canonical as he was 20 years ago. Still, it’s spectacularly smart writing.
I can’t remember if “The Mangler” is in that same collection, but that’s a great short story.
Haven’t seen these mentioned yet that I like.
James Thurber “The Catbird Seat”
Richard Connell “The Most Dangerous Game”
Eudora Welty “A Worn Path”
John Steinbeck; “Flight”
Richard Connell; “The Most Dangerous Game”
Bret Hart; “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”
Jeez, I thought I posted this six years ago:
White Gardens by Mark Helprin (from his book Ellis Island and Other Stories). Astounding. I read it thirty-five years ago and it still affects me.
There is no best, but I’ve never read anything I like better than Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River.” It’s transcendently good, IMHO.
Yeah, “Cathedral” is superb. It’s really something. 
Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener” gets its just praise but “Benito Cereno” needs props, too.