The O. Henry Prize is the oldest major prize for short fiction in America. The 2024 anthology was selected among outstanding writers of fiction around the globe, many at early stages of their careers. To add to our pleasure, we will also read a curated selection of recent stories by well-known writers. How do the up-and-comers compare to the veterans? There will be 2 stories each week: thoughtful, often provocative, funny, sad, frightening, one or two explicit, unpredictable. They will make for great discussions.
1. Orphans, Brad Felver; & I won't Let You Go1, Hiromi Kawakami
2. The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz, Michele Mari; & Ghosts and Empties1, Lauren Groff
3. Thursday1, George Saunders; & The Room Service Waiter, Tom Crewe
4. Marital Problems, Robin Romm; & Casting Shadows1, Jhumpa Lahiri
5. The Hunters Wife1, Anthony Doerr; & Mobilization, Allegra Hyde
6. With the Beatles1, Haruki Murakami; & The Import, Jai Chakrabarti
7. Late Love1, Joyce Carol Oates; & My Good Friend, Juliana Leite
8. Roy, Emma Binder; & That Particular Sunday1, Jamel Brinkley
9. Hiding Spot, Caroline Kim; & Girls At Play1, Celeste Ng;
10. Checking Out1, Chimimanda Adichie; & The Paper Artist, E.K. Ota
The Best Short Stories 2024: The O. Henry Prize Winners, Vintage Books 2024
1To be provided by the Coordinator