50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @The Butterfly Reads and I and focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week will have a new topic and several advance topics will be listed in the tab labeled 50/50 Friday!
Today's Topic: Favorite/Least Favorite Short Story
I'm going to be limiting this to standalone short stories (meaning no novellas or short story collections that together form one large story like I, Robot) although that does mean that I'll have a smaller pool to pull from.
Favorite:
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest by Agatha Christie
Part of The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding collection of Poirot and Marple short stories
Released: 10/24/1960
Rating: 5 stars
Blurb:
"Agatha Christie's seasonal Poirot and Marple short story collection, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (a.k.a The Theft of the Royal Ruby)
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The Under Dog
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
The Dream
Greenshaw's Folly "
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (a.k.a The Theft of the Royal Ruby)
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The Under Dog
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
The Dream
Greenshaw's Folly "
The Spanish Chest mystery in this collection was definitely my favorite. It had all the hallmarks of an excellent Christie mystery: impossible circumstances, intriguing cast of characters, and a beautifully painted backdrop. Normally, I'm not a fan of short stories because I just like a little more development and complexity but this short story was well done.
Least Favorite:
Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang
Standalone to date (inspiration for the movie Arrival)
Released: 1998
Rating: 3 stars
Review: To come!
Blurb:
"Dr. Louise Banks is enlisted by the military to communicate with a race of aliens, after they initiate first contact with humanity. The story revolves around Banks, woven through with remembrances of her daughter.
This short story is the basis for the 2016 feature film Arrival."
This short story is the basis for the 2016 feature film Arrival."
Don't get me wrong, I loved the movie Arrival but I just didn't like the style of this short story. The incidents of prolepsis (glimpses into the future) that are so seamlessly incorporated into the movie were just chunks in the story. That and the ending irritated me to bits. But more on that in my review.
Have you read either of these? What did you think of them? What are you favorite and least favorite short stories? Make a post and link up down below!
Next Week's Topic: Favorite/Least Favorite Harry Potter Novel