A Chosen Few: Short Stories by Frank R. Stockton

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A Chosen Few: Short Stories by Frank R. Stockton

(3 User reviews) 767

By Amanda Pham Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Justice Studies

Authors: Stockton, Frank R., 1834-1902 Published By : Stockton, Frank R., 1834-1902

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever heard of the story where a princess has to choose a husband through a life-or-death trial? That's 'The Lady, or the Tiger?'—the most famous story in this collection. But Frank R. Stockton wrote so much more. 'A Chosen Few' is a box of literary chocolates from the late 1800s, filled with weird, wonderful, and surprisingly modern tales. You'll meet a ghost who's a terrible houseguest, a man who tries to scientifically plan his life, and all sorts of characters caught in impossible, funny, or eerie situations. Stockton has this incredible knack for setting up a fascinating 'what if' scenario and then letting it play out in the most unexpected ways. The writing is charming and clear, but the ideas are sharp. It's not stuffy old literature; it's like having a brilliant, slightly mischievous friend from another century tell you a bunch of fantastic stories. If you like twist endings, clever social commentary, or just a really good short story you can read in one sitting, you need to check this out.

File: A Chosen Few: Short Stories by Frank R. Stockton

Frank R. Stockton was a bestselling author in his day, but for most modern readers, he's the 'Lady or the Tiger' guy. 'A Chosen Few' collects some of his best short stories beyond that classic, and it's a delightful surprise. This isn't dry, difficult prose; it's accessible, imaginative, and often very funny writing from the Victorian era that still feels fresh.

The Story

There isn't one plot, but a series of brilliant setups. In 'The Remarkable Wreck of the Thomas Hyke,' a ship sinks in the most absurdly perfect way, leading to a legal and logistical nightmare. 'The Transferred Ghost' is exactly what it sounds like—a ghost gets reassigned to haunt the wrong person, and he's hilariously bad at his job. 'The Christmas Shadrach' involves a poor family, a promised feast, and a series of misunderstandings that snowball. Each story presents a unique premise, whether fantastical, philosophical, or domestic, and Stockton explores it with a straight face and a twinkle in his eye, leading to satisfying and often ironic conclusions.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because Stockton trusts your intelligence. He presents a strange rule for his story's world (like a princess choosing a lover from behind two doors), and then he follows that logic to its end, examining human nature along the way. His characters are regular people—bureaucrats, husbands, ghosts, kings—reacting to extraordinary circumstances. The humor is gentle and clever, often poking fun at pride, greed, and rigid thinking. Reading these stories feels like solving a playful puzzle. You're constantly wondering, 'How is he going to get out of this one?' or 'What would I do?' It's brainy entertainment.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves the short stories of O. Henry or Saki, fans of 'The Twilight Zone,' or readers curious about classic American literature but wary of dense, long novels. It's also great for commuters or people with short reading windows—each story is a complete, satisfying world. If you've ever wondered about the story behind 'The Lady, or the Tiger?', this is your chance to meet the inventive mind that created it and discover a whole trove of other gems. A truly chosen few of tales.