William Makepeace Thackeray

M R James

Hugh Walpole

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author? 

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

In this volume we explore and enjoy the stories of authors who attended one of the great seats of learning. Amongst their storied number are M R James, Hugh Walpole, William Makepeace Thackeray and a host of others.

01 - The Top 10 - Cambridge - An Introduction

02 - A Little Dinner At Timmin's by William Makepeace Thackeray

03 - Caterpillars by E F Benson

04 - Cohen of Trinity by Amy Levy

05 - The Ash Tree by M R James.wav

05 - Major Wilbraham by Hugh Walpole

07 - Far Above Rubies by Netta Syrett

08 - The Closed Window by A C Benson

09 - The Diary of a God by Barry Pain

10 - The 9.30 Up-Train by Sabine Baring-Gould

11 - The Screaming Skull by F Marion Crawford