This affordably-priced collection presents masterpieces of short fiction from 52 of the greatest story writers of all time.

From Sherwood Anderson to Virginia Woolf, this anthology encompasses a rich global and historical mix of the very best works of short fiction and presents them in a way students will find accessible, engaging, and relevant. The book's unique integration of biographical and critical background gives students a more intimate understanding of the works and their authors.

Features

• About half the cost of standard anthologies, this comprehensive compilation offers a full range of short fiction at a bargain price.
• Unique "Author Perspectives" provide short lively statements from each author that comment on their writing process and the work itself, lending students critical insight into the stories they are reading.
• A section on Critical Approaches to Fiction introduces students to the leading schools of critical theory in an accessible way. This section presents critical theory in the context of stories in the anthology.
• Coverage of The Elements of Fiction and a comprehensive Glossary of Literary Terms helps students read and write more knowledgeably about the selections.