Frank R. Stockton (1834-1902) was an American writer and humorist. His short stories were very popular in his day and are gaining a new audience today. Stockton used humor to poke fun at human foibles and created fantastic characters that he described in a charming, matter-of-fact way.
His most famous story is The Lady, or the Tiger? (1882), about a man sentenced to an unusual punishment for having a romance with a king's beloved daughter. Taken to the public arena, he is faced with two doors, behind one of which is a hungry tiger that will devour him. Behind the other is a beautiful lady-in-waiting, whom he will have to marry, if he finds her. While the crowd waits anxiously for his decision, he sees the princess among the spectators, who points him to the door on the right. The lover starts to open the door and....the story ends abruptly there. Did the princess save her love by pointing to the door leading to the lady-in-waiting, or did she prefer to see her lover die rather than see him marry someone else? That discussion hook has made this story a staple of English classes in American schools.
This volume includes The Lady or the Tiger as well as its sequel, The Discourager of Hesitancy.
Also included are:
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""The Lady or the Tiger" was a story I had first read when I was 14 , as a part of my schol syllabus , but the story has remained with me ever since . Its a riveting story based in the medieval era in the company of Roman gladiators and gory bloodfests . The story revolves around the basic human themes of "love" and "jealousy" and deftly reveals the power of these two primal emotions in the the day-to-day drama of life . Especially likeable by those who love taut suspense that leaves you guessing till the very end . But the writer makes this story even more enigmatic by leaving the choice to the reader at the end . A rare treat , indeed !" — Sneh (4 out of 5 stars)
""The Lady or the Tiger" was a story I had first read when I was 14 , as a part of my schol syllabus , but the story has remained with me ever since . Its a riveting story based in the medieval era in the company of Roman gladiators and gory bloodfests . The story revolves around the basic human themes of "love" and "jealousy" and deftly reveals the power of these two primal emotions in the the day-to-day drama of life . Especially likeable by those who love taut suspense that leaves you guessing till the very end . But the writer makes this story even more enigmatic by leaving the choice to the reader at the end . A rare treat , indeed !"
" I thought this story wasn't all that good and I found it very confusing. "
" Thsi is one of my alltime favorite short stories with an ending that the reader must imagine. "
" This Book Is Self Explanatory. Who Came First, The Lady Or The Tiger. "
" Decent book but not the best. It's more of a confusion and/or "Mind Anger" kinda book due to the ending. Other wise, its good. "
" This is a great story about a choice. The crazy thing is, the author never tells us what choice the heroin makes; it's up to us as readers to decide. Very thought provoking. "
" It was a great book but i didnt like the ending of it "
" I have also read this twice and loved it. It's cool cuz you make up the ending. "
" GREAT short stories--make you think, neat style, last one is confusing "
" The Lady or the Tiger is my most favorite short story ever. Even though the ending frustrates the hell out of me. "
" it leaves way too much mystery at the end but it was a good book "
" All of the stories in this book are pretty good but my favorite is for sure The Lady or the Tiger. It also has a sequel. Both are very well written. "
" The Lady or the Tiger is one of the best shorts I've read "
" Which would you choose? I guess it kind of depends on what kind of person you are, and your meaning of love and jealousy. Great read, not too short but not too long and it makes you think! "
" Its a good book the ending was horriable because there was no ending "
" The book is okay. I am not really satisfied with the open ending. If only it had a little twist in it. "
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