Short story summaries help you experience complete, powerful narratives in just a few minutes. On Thornbook you’ll find clear overviews of classic and modern short stories, ideal for students, teachers, book clubs and busy readers.

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee book cover

Go Set a Watchman

Summary Go Set a Watchman follows Jean Louise “Scout” Finch as a young adult returning from New York to her

Emma by Jane Austen book cover

Emma

Summary Emma follows Emma Woodhouse, clever, wealthy, and convinced she understands everyone’s heart better than they understand their own. Living

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen book cover

Sense and Sensibility

Summary Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood sisters after their father’s death leaves them financially vulnerable and socially displaced. Elinor,

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald book cover

The Beautiful and Damned

Summary The Beautiful and Damned follows Anthony Patch and Gloria Gilbert, a glamorous young couple who believe beauty, charm, and

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald book cover

This Side of Paradise

Summary This Side of Paradise traces the coming-of-age of Amory Blaine, a talented, restless young man growing up with ambition,

Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald book cover

Tender Is the Night

Summary Tender Is the Night follows Dick Diver, a brilliant American psychiatrist living among wealthy expatriates on the French Riviera.

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky book cover

The Idiot

Summary The Idiot follows Prince Lev Myshkin, a gentle, honest man returning to Russia after years of treatment for illness.

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky book cover

Notes from Underground

Summary Notes from Underground is told by an unnamed narrator—an isolated, bitter former civil servant who writes from a psychological

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky book cover

The Brothers Karamazov

Summary The Brothers Karamazov centers on the destructive Karamazov family, led by the corrupt and impulsive father, Fyodor Pavlovich. His

The-Locked-Door book cover

The Locked Door

Summary The Locked Door centers on Nora Davis, a successful surgeon who has spent her adult life trying to outrun

The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden book cover

The Housemaid’s Secret

Summary The Housemaid’s Secret follows Millie, who is trying to keep her life stable by working as a housemaid—until she’s

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover book cover

Reminders of Him

Summary Reminders of Him follows Kenna Rowan, who returns to town after years away. She has one goal: to rebuild

Verity by Colleen Hoover book cover

Verity

Summary Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer offered a life-changing job: finish a bestselling series for Verity Crawford, a

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover book cover

It Ends with Us

Summary It Ends with Us follows Lily Bloom, a young woman determined to build a life different from the one

Baptism of Fire book cover

Baptism of Fire

Summary Baptism of Fire follows Geralt as he refuses to accept Ciri’s disappearance and sets out into a continent consumed

Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski book cover

Time of Contempt

Summary Time of Contempt detonates the fragile balance of the Continent. With war escalating, mages, monarchs, and spies gather under

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski book cover

Blood of Elves

Summary Blood of Elves begins the main Witcher saga as war spreads across the Continent and a young girl becomes

Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski book cover

Sword of Destiny

Summary Sword of Destiny continues Geralt’s short-story journey, deepening the emotional stakes and pushing the world toward the main saga.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski book cover

The Last Wish

Summary The Last Wish introduces Geralt of Rivia, a witcher—an elite monster hunter trained to kill creatures that ordinary people

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