Fiction – Strangers Guide

Russia

The Year of the Apples

A short story examines a Soviet childhood

by Lara Vapnyar

I was born in Sebastopol, a town on the Black Sea, famous for its bloody military...

United States

““Another reason I keep my collar buttoned up,” he said, opening his eyes, “is the children....”

Readings

Mexico City

Fictio Legis

In this short story, two strangers begin a conversation on a plane ride to Mexico City.

by Valeria Luiselli

The Roman jurist Modestinus describes marriage as the lifelong union of a man and a woman—comprising...

London

“Some years ago, a temporary inability to sleep, referable to a distressing impression, caused me to...”

Charles Dickens

Readings

Europe

“Let me think happy thoughts. If I close my eyes I can picture our old kitchen...”

Richard C. Morais

Readings

Egypt

“They kept leaving all the time. One from a town, two from a family, they fled...”

Shulamith Hareven

Readings

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