Short Story Reviews
In Her Mother’s Daughter by Nyadol Nyuon we have the theme of sacrifice, identity, separation, racism, pride, freedom, connection and belonging. Narrated in the first person by Nyuon herself it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Nyuon may be exploring the theme of sacrifice. Nyuon’s father gave his life during the […]
Read moreIn Power by Hope Mathumbu we have the theme of faith, power, innocence, jealousy, sibling rivalry and friendship. Narrated in the first person by Mathumbu herself the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Mathumbu may be exploring the theme of faith and the power of faith over an individual. Though Mathumbu wants […]
Read moreIn Potato Country by Kirsty Marillier we have the theme of struggle, conflict, sadness, racism, change and hope. Narrated in the first person by Marillier herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Marillier may be exploring the theme of struggle. Marillier’s family struggles to get by and her father wants to […]
Read moreIn Sam by Faustina Agolley we have the theme of curiosity, connection, culture, heritage, loss and happiness. Narrated in the first person by Agolley herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Agolley may be exploring the theme of curiosity. Agolley is curious about her father who has died. She knows very […]
Read moreIn The Special One by Bessie Head we have the theme of injustice, inequality, letting go, patriarchy, abandonment, gossip and happiness. Taken from her The Collector of Treasures collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed male narrator and the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Head may […]
Read moreIn Witchcraft by Bessie Head we have the theme of destruction, jealousy, fear, inequality, poverty, resilience and patriarchy. Taken from her The Collector of Treasures collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realizes that Head may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn The Teacher Who Changed My Life by Nicholas Gage we have the theme of struggle, conflict, freedom, hostility, inspiration, hard work, acceptance and pride. Narrated in the first person by Gage himself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Gage may be exploring the theme of struggle. Gage and his siblings […]
Read moreIn Lather and Nothing Else (or Just Lather, That’s All) by Hernando Téllez we have the theme of duty, violence, honour, loyalty and conflict. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man (the barber) the reader realizes after reading the story that Téllez may be exploring the theme of duty. The narrator feels as […]
Read moreIn Scared by Anthony Horowitz we have the theme of isolation, bullying, bribery, selfishness, struggle and hate. Taken from his collection of the same name it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Horowitz may be exploring the theme of isolation. Pye Hall is isolated from everywhere else and Gary doesn’t like […]
Read moreIn The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allan Poe we have the theme of art, reality, creativity, selfishness and obsession. Taken from his Poetry and Tales collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Poe may be exploring the theme of reality. […]
Read moreIn The Wish by Roald Dahl we have the theme of imagination, innocence, freedom and fear. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Dahl may be exploring the theme of imagination. The young boy believes that by dodging the black and red parts of […]
Read moreIn Changes by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of guilt, economics, lifestyle, happiness, change and acceptance. Taken from his The Story of My Experiments with Truth collection the reader realizes after reading the essay that Gandhi may be exploring the theme of guilt. While living in England Gandhi has lived the life of a […]
Read moreIn Lederhosen by Haruki Murakami we have the theme of uncertainty, infidelity, loss, separation, freedom and acceptance. Taken from his The Elephant Vanishes collection the story is partially narrated in the first person by an unnamed man and after reading the story the reader realizes that Murakami may be exploring the theme of uncertainty. Despite […]
Read moreIn The Coachman’s Son by R.K Narayan we have the theme of desperation, desire, deceit, innocence, revenge, loyalty and fear. Taken from his Swami and Friends collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Narayan may be exploring the theme of […]
Read moreIn Four Rupees by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of uncertainty, confidence, reliance, poverty, bravery, control and contentment. Taken from his Under the Banyan Tree 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 […]
Read moreIn What Happened by Austin Clarke we have the theme of racism, love, friendship, education, idealism, realism and anger. Taken from his When He Was Free and Young and He Used to Wear Silks collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes […]
Read moreIn Blankets by Alex la Guma we have the theme of poverty, inequality, deprivation, apartheid, control and paralysis. Taken from his A Walk in the Night and Other Stories collection the story is narrated, by way of flashbacks, in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that […]
Read moreIn All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury we have the theme of jealousy, bullying, isolation, colonization, acceptance and pride. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story the Bradbury may be exploring the theme of jealousy. Margot is the only person in her class who […]
Read moreIn Little Brother by Bruce Holland Rogers we have the theme of longing, struggle, control, consumerism, materialism and innocence. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Rogers may be exploring the theme of longing. For as long as he can remember Peter has […]
Read moreIn The Jam by Henry Slesar we have the theme of addiction, struggle, friendship, loyalty, control and responsibility. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Slesar may be exploring the theme of addiction. The reason Stukey is driving so fast and erratic is […]
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