9 Short Story Collections That Explore Various Cultures
Many popular stories are told from the perspective of straight, white men in Western society. But there are plenty of other voices out there. The talented writers featured on this list come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and their short story collections are fantastic works of literature that deserve a place in your personal library. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Diverse Short Stories: Our 9 Picks
Short Story vs Novel
| Short Story | Novel | |
|---|---|---|
| Word Count | 1,000 - 20,000 | 40,000 or more |
| Story Structure | Single event | Three-act structure |
| Main Characters | Usually just one | Often several |
| Room for Subplots? | No | Yes |
Why Read Short Stories?
- They make it easy to try new genres & authors
- You'll always get to the end
- They fit into a busy schedule
- You can read a lot of stories very quickly
- They can help you establish a daily reading habit
Why Diversity Matters
In Depth
Since not everyone has the luxury of being able to travel all around the globe, books can allow us to learn more about other cultures and lifestyles. If you're looking to broaden your perspective of the world, you should consider checking out these nine short story collections that explore different cultures, listed in no particular order.
First up, at #1, we have "Callings." Written by StoryCorps founder Dave Isay, this book collects inspiring stories about people all across America who have discovered themselves through work. From interviews with blue-collar workers, nurses, attorneys, and even musicians, readers get to learn how people from wildly different backgrounds find meaning in their jobs and pursue their passions without feeling burnt out.
Next, at #2, is "What Happened Here" by Bonnie ZoBell. In September 1978, a Boeing 727 crashes into a neighborhood in San Diego, killing everyone aboard and others on the ground. This collection follows some of the people residing in the neighborhood and how the incident continues to affect their lives. It's an emotional tale about loss and how an entire community can bounce back from such a devastating event.
In September 1978, a Boeing 727 crashes into a neighborhood in San Diego, killing everyone aboard and others on the ground.
At #3 is "Brick Walls" by Saadia Faruqi. In an effort to curb stereotypes about Pakistan, the author shows what it's really like to live there through fictional stories about Pakistanis from all walks of life. As each character faces and overcomes varying levels of hardship, readers get to see the beauty of the country and its rich culture amidst all the tragedy surrounding the nation.
Next up, at #4, we have "After the Gazebo." Written by Jen Knox, this volume presents more than twenty emotional tales about people living in the state of Ohio, each struggling with their own personal issues, ranging from turbulent relationships to the loss of a loved one. These stories feature ordinary people dealing with problems readers can easily relate to, and Knox manages to make each narrative powerful and real.
At #5 is "13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl" by Mona Awad. Lizzie despises her appearance, mostly because of her weight. Told through the perspective of Lizzie and several other people in her life, this novel-in-stories is centered on the protagonist's journey from adolescence all the way through adulthood. Awad tackles the cultural obsession with body image and the difficulties that women face while trying to conform to society's standards.
Awad tackles the cultural obsession with body image and the difficulties that women face while trying to conform to society's standards.
Next, at #6, is "Him, Me, Muhammad Ali" by Randa Jarrar, which focuses on the lives of Muslim men and women from all around the world. With sharp wit, Jarrar aims to enlighten readers on the intricacies of Islamic culture and the obstacles people have to overcome as they practice their beliefs amidst adversity.
Next up, at #7, we have "If You See Me, Don't Say Hi" by Neel Patel, in which the author attempts to undermine the many stereotypes imposed on Indian Americans. These narratives follow people who struggle in their quests for love and happiness. Patel's characters face and learn to triumph over the difficulties brought by their ethnicity and culture, such as arranged marriages and unrealistic parental expectations.
At #8 is "In the Cemetery of the Orange Trees" by Jeff Talarigo. Few know what it's like to live in the war-torn Gaza Strip. These intertwining stories, which include fantastical elements in the form of talking animals, shine a spotlight on the daily struggles of Palestinians as they try to survive through their state's ongoing conflict with Israel. With imaginative prose, Talarigo explores the horrors of war and the hardships faced by the innocents caught in the middle of it all.
With imaginative prose, Talarigo explores the horrors of war and the hardships faced by the innocents caught in the middle of it all.
Finally, at #9, we have "101 Detectives." Written by Ivan Vladislavic, these eleven unrelated tales focus on characters from all around the world, each facing their own personal dilemmas. Vladislavic's stories mainly revolve around the theme of languages and how difficult it is to express oneself in unfamiliar lands.
