Fiction: A Pocket Anthology - Softcover

A perfect alternative to massive fiction anthologies, this brief, affordable collection of 44 short stories from the past three centuries provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the study of fiction. Chronologically organized, the anthology includes classic tales from 19th century authors like Hawthorne, Poe, Jewett, and de Maupassant; 20th century gems by Hawthorne, Irving, Poe, Cather, Hurston, Faulkner, O'Connor, and Richard Wright, among others; and admired stories from contemporary authors like Alice Walker, Jamaica Kincaid, Sherman Alexie, and Jhumpa Lahiri-reflecting a diverse range of writers and styles.

Compact yet complete–and always at a reasonable price!

For more than 60 years, instructors and their students have looked to Penguin trade paperbacks for state-of-the-art scholarship, accessibility, and fair prices. Longman, Penguin’s sister company, aims to meet those same expectations with textbooks in our series Penguin Academics.

We’ve created the Penguin Academics series with ease of use in mind–the books are conveniently portable and highly readable, with engaging typefaces and interior designs. Concise yet thorough in their coverage of the basics, Penguin Academics titles are ideal for use either by themselves or in combination with other books. A list of related Penguin paperbacks can be found at the back of this and every Penguin Academics title.
 

The ideal alternative to longer anthologies, this brief, affordable, and diverse collection of

short stories from the past three centuries provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the study of fiction.  In keeping with the objectives of the Penguin Academics series, Fiction: A Pocket Anthology offers a range of widely admired stories from 19th, 20th and 21st century authors in a quality trade-format book at an affordable price. 

 

[Fiction] is a handy anthology that has the best selection of readings that I have seen in an anthology. And all this without being overwhelming!

Shazia Ali, Eastfield College, TX

 

The stories [are] an excellent group of old and new, of men and women, of canonical chestnuts and the modern multicultural voices we need to hear.  The Introduction is a superb addition to the anthology that will help any instructor teach the tales, the critical language of fiction, and how to write about the stories.  Finally, the size [makes this book] easily held in the hand!

Michael Chappell, Western Connecticut State University

 

The book’s greatest feature is that it argues that ethnic, national, and gender diversity are what make the canon of short fiction such a vital part of literature.  I love the way this anthology manages to include the best of the best short stories [while incorporating] the diverse voices that are so important to the genre.

Stephen Tuttle, Brigham Young University