"In Defiance of Club Rules" by Tim Parks's — Review

Tim Parks's "In Defiance of Club Rules" is a concise and penetrating study of social hypocrisy and the psychology of an outsider. Set within the microcosm of an exclusive Italian sports club, the story uses a seemingly trivial tennis match as the arena for a much deeper conflict.

Parks, with his expatriate's keen eye, expertly dissects the unspoken codes of conduct, the subtle class hierarchies, and the stifling pressure to conform that defines this privileged environment. The protagonist's internal struggle—between his desire for acceptance and his mounting disgust at the club's snobbery—is rendered with acute psychological realism. The game itself becomes a powerful metaphor for a larger cultural and social mismatch, where the true battle is not played with rackets but with identities and pride. Parks proves that the most powerful resistance can sometimes be found not in winning, but in the deliberate and purposeful acceptance of a loss. 

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://clck.ru/3NtfC5

“Theft” by Katherine Anne Porter — Review

"Theft" by Katherine Anne Porter is a short story about a woman who realizes her purse is missing after a night out. The story follows her as she figures out who took it and confronts the cleaning woman in her building.

While this seems like a simple plot about a stolen object, the story is really about a much deeper kind of theft. The woman has a sudden, sad realization that she has carelessly allowed people in her life—mainly men who take her time, energy, and love—to steal pieces of her identity without giving anything real back. 

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pfwsmXFd0TnzLZWq9IroaTE9uvTZwM1n?clckid=0bf34c07 

"The Baby Party" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Review

"The Baby Party" is a funny and clever story about how adults can act more childish than kids. At a children’s party, a small fight between two little girls turns into a big argument between their parents. The moms get angry, the dads start fighting, and what should have been a silly little problem becomes a ridiculous mess. 

Fitzgerald shows how silly people can be when they let their pride take over, especially over something as small as a kids' quarrel.

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/f-scott-fitzgerald/short-fiction/text/the-baby-party

'At the Sign of the Cat and Racket' by Honoré de Balzac — Review

This story by Balzac is about a young artist named Théodore who falls in love with Augustine, the daughter of a strict merchant family. They come from very different worlds: Théodore is all about art and feelings, while Augustine's family cares more about business and tradition. Even though her parents don't approve, Théodore and Augustine get married because they are so in love. However, their love isn't enough to make their marriage work. Théodore finds Augustine too simple for his artistic mind, and Augustine feels lost and neglected because she can't understand his world. This sadness slowly wears her down.

The story shows how difficult it can be when two people with very different ways of thinking try to build a life together, even if they love each other. It's a sad look at how art and everyday life can clash, and how misunderstanding can slowly destroy a relationship. 

Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/honore-de-balzac/shorts-from-scenes-from-private-life/clara-bell_ellen-marriage/text/at-the-sign-of-the-cat-and-racket

"Mrs. Spring Fragrance" by Edith Maude Eaton --- Review

"Mrs. Spring Fragrance" is a story about a kind and clever Chinese-American woman named Mrs. Spring Fragrance. She helps young lovers overcome misunderstandings and cultural differences to find happiness. The story shows her wisdom and humor as she gently guides others while also dealing with her own feelings about love and tradition.

The story is highlighting the challenges immigrants face while celebrating their strength and kindness.

Here is the linl to the text of the story:

https://loa-shared.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/static/pdf/Eaton_Spring_Fragrance.pdf

"The Third and Final Continent" by Jhumpa Lahiri — Review

"The Third and Final Continent" is a quiet but powerful story about immigration, change, and finding home. The narrator moves from India to England and finally to America, where he faces loneliness but also unexpected kindness. His landlady, Mrs. Croft, is a funny and touching character—she calls America "the moon" and acts strict but warms up to him. When his arranged-marriage wife, Mala, arrives, their relationship starts awkwardly but slowly grows into love. The story shows how small moments—like Mrs. Croft approving of Mala—can change a person’s life.

It’s a story about how people adapt, how strangers become family, and how home isn’t a place but the connections we make.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11s7ZKnY3WS1owBJ0EkUxTZ9fTKans8Wh?ths=true&clckid=273c16ff

The Sea Lions by James Fenimore Cooper --- Review

The Sea Lions is a gripping maritime adventure that showcases James Fenimore Cooper’s mastery of sea tales. The novel follows two rival whaling ships on a perilous journey to the Antarctic, driven by greed and the lure of hidden treasure. Cooper’s vivid descriptions of storms, shipwrecks, and the harsh polar environment create a tense and immersive atmosphere. The characters, particularly the determined Captain Roslyn Gardiner and his rival Daggett, are well-drawn, embodying themes of ambition, survival, and moral conflict. 

Cooper reflects on the destructive nature of greed and the limits of human endurance. The Sea Lions is more than just a tale of shipwrecks—it’s a thought-provoking meditation on fate, redemption, and the unforgiving power of nature.


Here is the link to the text of the story:

https://loa-shared.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/static/pdf/Cooper_Storm_Shipwreck.pdf