Big Wonder in Small Packages

by Robert Rioux

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5 books

Have you ever read a story that sticks with you long afterward? Sometimes, the slimmest of volumes can leave you breathless, wondering what hit you and desperately hoping for more. These short works of fiction punch well above their weight, offering a wealth of spellbinding imagery despite low word counts.

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Saints and Strangers

Angela Carter, 1987

Two stories from this compilation stand out. "The Fall River Axe Murders" imagines the internal thought process Lizzie Borden might have had on the day she committed an act that assured her lasting infamy. My favorite, however, is "The Kiss," which packs vivid imagery into its diminutive frame to evoke a dazzling and disorienting setting. Embedded in this short story is a folktale of Tamburlaine's wife, whose active agency contrasts sharply with the passive existence of Uzbek peasant women in the main narrative. Carter's luxurious prose style swirls the senses in this exquisite gem.

Magical Realist Fiction

This anthology includes "The Piano," a humorous tale of a treasured family heirloom that seemingly works against being sold. Author Aníbal Montiero Machado lends the piano a presence in the story, almost as if it were one of the characters. No matter what the family does, nobody buys the instrument or accepts it for free. A final twist at the end only adds to the owner's despair, suggesting we have limited influence over fates.

The Penguin Book of Vampire Stories

This collection brings to light (pardon the pun) a wealth of fascinating vampire tales from throughout history. One of the many highlights is P. Schuyler Miller's "Over the River," which is told from the viewpoint of a character who slowly comes to grips with his new vampire identity. The best is saved for last as Tanith Lee weaves a wonderfully dark fairy tale in " Bite-Me-Not or Fleur de Feu." Lee describes in remarkable detail a castle whose residents are plagued nightly by a tribe of winged humanoid creatures that subsist on blood. The main story focuses on what happens when the vampire prince is captured and attracts the attention of a heretofore-ignored young scullery maid with a mysterious past.

Innocent Eréndira and Other Stories

Gabriel García Márquez, 1996

"The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Erendira and Her Heartless Grandmother" showcases magical realism. Like much of Marquez's literature, the line between fantasy and reality is blurred to weave a dreamlike atmosphere. This hauntingly beautiful story explores the corrupting power of influence and the main character's struggle for redemption. The author uses abundant symbolism to remind us of the inevitability of change and to instill hope even in the darkest times. The story originated as a screenplay by Marquez, which was eventually made into the film Erendira by Ruy Guerra years later.

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

Vítězslav Nezval, 2005

Speaking of movies, the Czech New Wave produced a fascinating film called Valerie a týden divu based on the short novel of the same name by Vítězslav Nezval. Upon first reading, this avant-garde book's sly mix of dark gothic horror and surrealism seems nearly unfilmable. The end result of both book and movie is an enigmatic and obtuse dreamlike experience that vibrates with life. Much like any good coming-of-age tale, the narrative glides effortlessly between lovely, scary, and disturbing moments.