AustLit

'Whenever people gather together, they tell each other stories. As anecdote, gossip or reminiscence, stories arise naturally in human communication. And that is what is so appealing about the short story: its naturalness, its being a part of timeless human experience. There is no need to be defensive about writing or reading a story. Stories are basic to our existence and are beyond justification. Our understanding of the world of public and private events is expressed in the stories of history and case history. Our futures are projected in war-game scenario stories no less bizarre than our own fantasies and reveries. The media bombard us with news stories and storylines and the compressed narratives of advertising.' (Introduction)