The Gentle Spirit (Russian: Кроткая, Krotkaya), sometimes also translated as The Meek One, is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1876. The piece comes with the subtitle of A Fantastic Story, and it chronicles the relationship between a pawnbroker and a girl that frequents his shop.

This narrative delves deep into the psychological and emotional exchanges between the characters, exploring themes of power, submission, and the complexities of human interaction. The story provides a poignant look at the nuances of a relationship bound by societal and personal constraints.

Todos los fuegos el fuego offers eight great examples of the creative fullness that encompasses Cortázar's stories. From the exasperated metaphor of human relationships that is "La autopista del sur" through the masterpiece that is "El otro cielo," Cortázar once again paves the way to stories that are a must-read for lovers of the story genre in general.

"La salud de los enfermos," "Reunión," "La señorita Cora," "La isla a mediodía," "Instrucciones para John Howell," and "Todos los fuegos el fuego" are a celebration of intelligence, passion, and genius.

De Avonden vertelt het verhaal van Frits van Egters, die in de donkere decemberdagen van vlak na de Tweede Wereldoorlog zich een houding probeert te geven tegenover zijn ouders en vrienden. Over alles ligt een grijze waas van melancholie, en met zijn eigenzinnige gevoel voor humor probeert hij door het pantser van de verveling te breken.

In het ontroerende slothoofdstuk komt hij tot het louterende inzicht dat hij door te kijken en te observeren de zinloosheid heeft bezworen: 'Het is gezien, het is niet onopgemerkt gebleven.'

Wittgenstein's Mistress is a novel unlike anything David Markson - or anyone else - has ever written before. It is the story of a woman who is convinced, and, astonishingly, will ultimately convince the reader as well, that she is the only person left on earth. Presumably she is mad. And yet so appealing is her character, and so witty and seductive her narrative voice, that we will follow her hypnotically as she unloads the intellectual baggage of a lifetime in a series of irreverent meditations on everything and everybody from Brahms to sex to Heidegger to Helen of Troy.

And as she contemplates aspects of the troubled past which have brought her to her present state, so too will her drama become one of the few certifiably original fictions of our time.

The great Irish humorist and writer Flann O'Brien, aka Brian O'Nolan, aka Myles na Gopaleen, also wrote a newspaper column called "Cruiskeen Lawn". The Best of Myles collects the best and funniest, covering such subjects as plumbers, the justice system, and improbable inventions.

Birds of America is a long-awaited collection of twelve stories by the acclaimed author Lorrie Moore. Known for her characteristic wit and piercing intelligence, Moore unfolds a series of portraits of the lost and unsettled of America, infused with a trademark humor that fuels each story with pathos and understanding.

From the opening story, "Willing", about a second-rate movie actress in her thirties who has moved back to Chicago, where she makes a seedy motel room her home and becomes involved with a mechanic who has no idea of who she is as a human being, Birds of America unfolds a startlingly brilliant series of portraits of the unhinged, the lost, the unsettled of our America.

In the story "Which Is More Than I Can Say About Some People", a woman newly separated from her husband embarks on a long-planned trip through Ireland with her mother. When they set out on an expedition to kiss the Blarney Stone, the image of wisdom and success that her mother has always put forth slips away to reveal the panicky woman she really is.

In "Charades", a family game at Christmas is transformed into a hilarious and insightful revelation of crumbling family ties. Meanwhile, "Community Life" depicts a shy, almost reclusive librarian, Transylvania-born and Vermont-bred, who moves in with her boyfriend, the local anarchist in a small university town, and all hell breaks loose.

In "Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens", a woman who goes through the stages of grief as she mourns the death of her cat (Anger, Denial, Bargaining, Häagen Dazs, Rage) is seen by her friends as really mourning other issues: the impending death of her parents, the son she never had, Bosnia.

In what may be her most stunning book yet, Lorrie Moore explores the personal and the universal, the idiosyncratic and the mundane, with all the wit, brio, and verve that have made her one of the best storytellers of our time.

Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for his novels, but in his lifetime, his fame stemmed from his prolific achievement as one of America's most gifted (and best-paid) writers of stories and novellas. In 'The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald', Matthew J. Bruccoli, the country's premier Fitzgerald scholar and biographer, assembles a sparkling collection that encompasses the full scope of Fitzgerald's short fiction.

The forty-three masterpieces range from early stories that capture the fashion of the times to later ones written after the author's fabled crack-up, which are sober reflections on his own youthful excesses. Included are classic novellas, such as "The Rich Boy," "May Day," and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," as well as a remarkable body of work he wrote for the Saturday Evening Post and its sister "slicks."

These stories can be read as an autobiographical journal of a great writer's career, an experience deepened by the illuminating introductory headnotes that Matthew Bruccoli has written for each story, placing it in its literary and biographical context. Together, these forty-three stories compose a vivid picture of a lost era, but their brilliance is timeless. This essential collection is a monument to the genius of one of the great voices in the history of American literature.

Le Roman de l'adolescent myope invites readers into the world of a precocious and tormented adolescent in early 20th century Bucharest. The narrator, with precision and candor, unveils his daily life: the quirks of his teachers, the plots of his classmates, their sexual desires, and his first erotic exploits. At the heart of his journey is the compelling need to write, intertwined with his discovery of personal identity and otherness.

This novel, found in a Bucharest attic, is not only a captivating story but also an invaluable document about the great writer Mircea Eliade, who was once this genius adolescent, revealing himself while pretending to discover.

Despite the enormous success of her novel Ship of Fools, Katherine Anne Porter's reputation as one of America's most distinguished writers rests chiefly on her superb short stories.

This volume brings together the collections Flowering Judas; Pale Horse, Pale Rider; and The Leaning Tower as well as four stories not available elsewhere in book form.

The Honorary Consul is a British thriller novel by the renowned author Graham Greene, published in 1973. It stands as one of the author's favorite works.

The story unfolds in an unnamed city in northern Argentina, close to the border with Paraguay, a setting reminiscent of the city of Corrientes. In this provincial Argentinean town, Charley Fortnum, a British consul with dubious authority and a weakness for drink, is kidnapped by Paraguayan revolutionaries who have mistakenly identified him as the American ambassador.

Dr. Eduardo Plarr, a local physician torn by his own divided loyalties, steps in as the negotiator between the rebels and the authorities. These fumbling characters enact an absurd drama of failure, hope, love, and betrayal against a backdrop of political chaos.

The Honorary Consul is not only a gripping novel of suspense but also a penetrating psychological and sociological study of personal and political corruption.

میرا تصویرگر جامعه‌ای است که «فردیت» هیچ معنایی در آن ندارد. به زبان جامعه‌شناختی، میرا از جامعه‌ای سخن می‌گوید که اصالت با جمع است نه فرد. در چنین جامعه‌ای حتی اگر «فردیتی» را بتوان متصور بود، فردیتی است که تجلی ارزشهای جمعی جامعه است.

در چنین جامعه‌ای عرصه خصوصی، شخصی یا فردی -حتی در فردی‌ترین امور مانند روابط جنسی- نه تنها ضد ارزش یا نامطلوب، بلکه فراتر از آن، اساساً مهمل و بی‌معنی‌ست.

ഖസാക്കിന്റെ ഇതിഹാസം (Khasakkinte Ithihasam) is a celebrated work by the renowned author O.V. Vijayan. This iconic novel, first published in 1969, is set in the fictional village of Khasak and explores deep philosophical questions through its vivid storytelling.

The narrative, rich with cultural nuances and vibrant characters, takes readers on a journey through the mystical and metaphysical landscapes of Kerala. Vijayan's masterful prose intricately weaves together themes of existentialism, tradition, and modernity.

Step into the world of Khasak and experience a tale that has left an indelible mark on Malayalam literature, captivating readers with its profound insights and timeless narrative.

Enjambre Sutil is a collection of seven captivating stories crafted by the talented young writer, Jose Dellepiane. These stories are designed to capture your time and spirit, immersing you in a world of literary wonder.

This collection highlights the author's remarkable storytelling abilities, which earned him a position as a finalist in the prestigious Juan Rulfo Contest in 2008.

Scrisoarea III and Luceafărul are two of the most remarkable works by Mihai Eminescu, a legendary figure in Romanian literature. Scrisoarea III is a poetic masterpiece that delves into the depths of human emotion and national identity. Meanwhile, Luceafărul is celebrated for its ethereal beauty and profound exploration of the eternal themes of love and aspiration.

This collection showcases Eminescu's extraordinary ability to weave together words in a manner that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Readers will be enchanted by the rich imagery and the timeless messages conveyed through these works.