What are some short stories that present the origin of a protagonist?
February 21, 2022 8:11 AM Subscribe
Looking to find short stories that introduces a strong character, which is then a basis of followup stories. E.g. Study in Scarlet for Sherlock Holmes.
Conan the Barbarian?
Lensman (I haven't read these)
But - I would see probably a commonality of characters/fiction that was serialized from the pulps - so, science-fiction, fantasy and mystery/gumshoe
posted by rozcakj at 8:21 AM on February 21, 2022
Lensman (I haven't read these)
But - I would see probably a commonality of characters/fiction that was serialized from the pulps - so, science-fiction, fantasy and mystery/gumshoe
posted by rozcakj at 8:21 AM on February 21, 2022
Will you accept comics? My first thought was Neil Gaiman's wonderful character Death. She first appears in issue #8 of The Sandman, titled The Sound of Her Wings.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 8:37 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 8:37 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Johnny Mnemonic introduces Molly, aka Molly Millions, aka Sally Shears, aka...
Johnny himself, well, he's not a recurring character.
posted by Snijglau at 8:42 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
Johnny himself, well, he's not a recurring character.
posted by Snijglau at 8:42 AM on February 21, 2022 [2 favorites]
It's more an introduction to a species than a character, but in science fiction, Vernor Vinge's The Blabber might count as a prelude to A Fire Upon the Deep.
posted by eotvos at 8:46 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by eotvos at 8:46 AM on February 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
"Mary Robinette Kowal’s novelette “The Lady Astronaut of Mars” was first published in 2012 as part of RIP-OFF, an original audiobook anthology from Audible.com. It was later published in text form in early 2013 on Kowal’s personal blog, along with a (few) “stage directions” the author had provided to the audio producers."
She went on to author a whole series about Elma York, the Lady Astronaut and I find them AMAZING
posted by alchemist at 9:01 AM on February 21, 2022
She went on to author a whole series about Elma York, the Lady Astronaut and I find them AMAZING
posted by alchemist at 9:01 AM on February 21, 2022
Witcher is Sapkowski's first story about Geralt and really has him in a nutshell. It's collected in Last Wish.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:50 AM on February 21, 2022
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:50 AM on February 21, 2022
Ellen Gilchrist introduced Rhoda Katherine Manning with four short stories in her first collection, In the Land of Dreamy Dreams. In 1995, twenty-two stories about Rhoda were collected in Rhoda: A Life in Stories. That was not the end of Rhoda, however, because she returns in 2002 in I, Rhoda Manning, Go Hunting with My Daddy: and Other Stories. Gilchrist has a knack for creating funny, fascinating characters and situations. If you enjoy Southern fiction, you'll like these stories.
Note-- Gilchrist acknowledges that there are inconsistencies in the stories concerning the events of Rhoda's life. I think Conan Doyle also had to to deal with this issue with respect to Holmes.
posted by tuesdayschild at 1:29 PM on February 21, 2022
Note-- Gilchrist acknowledges that there are inconsistencies in the stories concerning the events of Rhoda's life. I think Conan Doyle also had to to deal with this issue with respect to Holmes.
posted by tuesdayschild at 1:29 PM on February 21, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by storybored at 8:13 AM on February 21, 2022