Short Story Reviews
In Courage in the Time of Harmattan by Ugochukwu Udorji we have the theme of conflict, letting go, ego and paralysis. Narrated in the second person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Udorji may be exploring the theme of conflict. The young boy finds himself in conflict with Chike […]
Read moreIn The Performing Child by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of aspirations, control, selfishness, acceptance and freedom. Taken from his An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realizes that Narayan may be exploring […]
Read moreIn Robert and the Dog by Ken Saro-Wiwa we have the theme of control, jealousy, hierarchy and poverty. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Saro-Wiwa may be exploring the theme of control. Robert, who is a servant, believes that it is easier to control […]
Read moreIn Ilyas by Leo Tolstoy we have the theme of happiness, materialism, generosity, faith, loss and gratitude. Taken from his Walk in the Light and Twenty-Three Tales collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn the short story In the Box by Taeko Kōno we have the theme of revenge, control, struggle, anger, gratitude and connection. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator (male) the reader realizes after reading the story that Kōno may be exploring the theme of revenge. The narrator is angry that the woman […]
Read moreIn Millicent by Merle Hodge we have the theme of control, conflict, innocence, insecurity and pride. Narrated in the first person by a young unnamed boy the reader realizes after reading the story that Hodge may be exploring the theme of control. Miss is in complete control of her class or she likes to think […]
Read moreIn My First Kiss by Lian Low we have the theme of curiosity, sexuality, connection, freedom, vulnerability, discovery and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by Low herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Low may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Low spent her first fourteen years of her life […]
Read moreIn Destiny by Shalini Akhil we have the theme of connection, belonging, identity, culture, tradition, desire and change. Narrated in the first person by Akhil herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Akhil may be exploring the theme of connection. Akhil has a fondness for Wonder Woman or more importantly the […]
Read moreIn Hot and Spicy by Oliver Phommavanh we have the theme of curiosity, connection, cunning, embarrassment, tradition, culture, identity and failure. Narrated in the first person by a young Year 6 boy called Albert Yip. The reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Phommavanh may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Albert’s parents […]
Read moreIn Hanoi and Other Homes by Sim Shen we have the theme of memories, belonging, connection, identity, change, acceptance and culture. Narrated in the first person by Shen himself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Shen may be exploring the theme of memories. Shen can recall the last time he visited […]
Read moreIn Are You Different by Mia Francis we have the theme of adoption, connection, culture, racism and freedom. Narrated in the first person by Francis herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Francis may be exploring the theme of adoption. Francis adopts Ricky from an orphanage in Manila. It is clear […]
Read moreIn The Dreamer by Saki we have the theme of class, materialism, gender, control and identity. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realizes that Saki may be exploring the theme of class. […]
Read moreIn Conversations with My Parents by Oanh Thi Tran we have the theme of connection, family, loyalty, respect and, love. Narrated in the first person by Thi Tran herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Thi Tran may be exploring the theme of connection and family. While in the hospital with […]
Read moreIn Factory Town by Minoru Betsuyaku we have the theme of the environment, competition, innocence, capitalism, consumerism and progress. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Betsuyaku may be exploring the theme of the environment. At first the townspeople are open and even excited by […]
Read moreIn My Son the Fanatic by Hanif Kureishi we have the theme of worry, radicalization, change, conflict, control, struggle and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Kureishi may be exploring the theme of worry. Parvez has concerns with the direction his […]
Read moreIn The Repentant Sinner by Leo Tolstoy we have the theme of mercy, weakness, sin, connection, faith, hope and happiness. Taken from his Walk in the Light collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn The Empty Drum by Leo Tolstoy we have the theme of jealousy, class, control, fear, happiness and power. Taken from his Walk in the Light collection it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme of jealousy. The King is jealous of Emelyan because his wife […]
Read moreIn The Family Business by Benjamin Law we have the theme of connection, identity, loss, success, respect and isolation. Taken from his The Family Law collection the story is narrated in the first person by Law himself and after reading the story it becomes clear to the reader that Law may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn Baked Beans and Burnt Toast by Jacqui Larkin we have the theme of identity, expression, change, connection, heritage and memories. Narrated in the first person by Larkin herself it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Larkin may be exploring the theme of identity. Larkin though of Chinese origin does not […]
Read moreIn The First Day by Edward P. Jones we have the theme of connection, desperation, love, pride, authority and fear. Narrated in the first person by a young five year old black girl the reader realizes after reading the story that Jones may be exploring the theme of connection. The narrator’s mother longs to bring […]
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