Single favorite story

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I just picked up a book called You've Got to Read This - an anthology of writers introducing their favorite short stories. Thus far in my life, if someone asked me for my single favorite story, I think it would have to be Delmore Schwarz's "In Dreams Begin Responsibility" (which happens to be the story that Tim O'Brien chooses to introduce). Or perhaps, oddly enough, Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." What about you? If you could only recommend one story in the world, what woudl it be?

― David Elinsky (David Elinsky), Saturday, 17 July 2004 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I expect that at least one person is going to respond with Joyce's "The Dead," and I'd love for whoever does to explain to me what's so extraordinary about the story. The ending - the last page, while Gabriel is in bed - seems to me as beautiful as writing gets, but the entire story before then struck me as pretty ho-hum.

― David Elinsky (David Elinsky), Saturday, 17 July 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

"Kew Gardens," Virginia Woolf. The only constant character is a snail. Or perhaps "The Babysitter" by Robert Coover.

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Saturday, 17 July 2004 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

One. Hmmm. I think "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Oh, I guess that's several stories. No, not really. Yes, "Dandelion Wine."

― pepektheassassin (pepektheassassin), Monday, 19 July 2004 03:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not sure I could plump for a favourite without the books in front of me, but I suspect it would be by Raymond Carver or Ali Smith, or possibly Flannery O'Connor.

― Archel (Archel), Monday, 19 July 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

On Selected Shorts Doris Roberts read "The Texas Principessa" by William Goyen.

He was Doris Roberts second husband. Goyen died of leukemia in 1986.

The audience applauded and Roberts addressed everyone with "Thank you" and began to read. Her sincerity of appreciation moved me to tears. Then I realized that she probably read drafts of the story, or even listened to him read parts out loud.

She knocked it out of the park. It was one of the funniest moments I remember ever in radio. This is the first short story I give to friends who tell me they do not read. They always always come back for more.

Joyce was a genius. "Gabriel wept" may be one of the most artistic moments in literature.

But I'll take laughter over tears most every day.

― clellie, Monday, 19 July 2004 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

this question is harder than picking a favorite book, i think. i'd probably go with something of fitzgerald's - babylon revisited? - or carver's.

― lauren (laurenp), Monday, 19 July 2004 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Right now I'm pretty smitten with Melvin Jules Bukiet's short story "Ezekiel" from the Killing the Buddha collection. But you have to appreciate Bukiet's over-the-top-but-still-with-a-human-center style. Many people I've recommended him to just hate the way he writes.

― Jessa (Jessa), Tuesday, 20 July 2004 16:42 (twenty-one years ago)

To Build A Fire
Jack London

― Franz Kafka (Franz), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 00:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember reading O.Henry's "Gifts of the Magi" in high school; somebody gave me a collection of his short stories, and I'm not sure if that'll still be my favorite when I get through the whole thing. But my favorite will likely be in there. Then again, theres' Octave Mirbeau's "The Severed Head"...

― Ann Sterzinger (Ann Sterzinger), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 04:45 (twenty-one years ago)

A few more: James Baldwin, "Sonny's Blues"; Eudora Welty, "Why I Live at the P.O."; Saki, "The Open Window," the last line of which cannot be touched for sheer Ronaldo-like tossed-off casual skill. And then there's Elizabeth Bowen, who has written more perfect stories than anyone should be allowed to write--I recommend any of the ghost stories, or perhaps "Oh, Madam...."

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 14:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Bartleby the Scrivener, no contest.

― jed_ (jed), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Too many Richard Yates to mention. Ditto Richard Ford. The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Revenge by Jim Harrison(do novellas count?)
The Beast In The Jungle by Henry James.
Two Gallants.
Walter Mitty.

― David N (David N.), Wednesday, 21 July 2004 23:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Frank O'Connor's First Confession. It's the funniest short story in the world. I nearly killed myself laughing when I first read it at the age of 12.

― accentmonkey (accentmonkey), Thursday, 22 July 2004 06:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Another for "Why I Live at the PO". Also, "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen.

― Rabin the Cat (Rabin the Cat), Saturday, 24 July 2004 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Kew Gardens by Virginia Woolf
To Build A Fire by Jack London
Gifts of the Magi by O Henry
Why I Live at the P.O. by Eudora Welty
The Open Window by Saki
Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-street by Herman Melville
The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Hemmingway
The Beast In The Jungle by Henry James
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber
So that I can read them sometime...

― Fred (Fred), Saturday, 24 July 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

thank you, that was really helpful, Fred!

My pick would be
Ernest Hemingway: "A Clean Well-lighted Place"
or
Melville: "Benito Cereno"

or some of London's whose titles I can't remember now...

― misshajim (strand), Tuesday, 3 August 2004 10:28 (twenty-one years ago)

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