The Lottery (Penguin Modern Classics)

I wanted to enjoy this book so much after reading good reviews and watching something on tv where both author and book were mentioned. To be honest I was irritated by it. It all refers back to when this "tradition" started, and how the items used had changed/ aged over time and circumstance. I found no tension, no drama, no meat on the bones! It's a droll little book that promises nothing and delivers less! The notes and help/question section is almost as long as the story. I wanted to feel tension and latent fear, but to me, it all fell a bit flat. I realise my opinion is almost the antithesis of every other review and I feel a bit like the child in The Emperors New Clothes" in that everyone else has persuaded themselves to it's magnificence but to me it's very sadly lacking!

I didn't realise that this 'book' is only 6 pages long, so thought the price was fine. I could have actually bought this book for 99p, so guess it serves me right for being lazy and ordering online ;-) Beware the short story!

As described

Shirley Jackson was a mystery and horror writer born in San Francisco, California in 1916. She is arguably best remembered for her unsettling novel of paranoia and the supernatural, The Haunting of Hill House (1959), and this terrifying short tale The Lottery (1948). This is a dark and sinister tale about an annual ritual - game - that takes place in a small village of 300 people, during which whoever draws the final black spot is sacrificed in order to ensure a good harvest the following year.The story has been both lauded and condemned and remains one of the most celebrated short stories in twentieth-century American literature. It is still puzzled over by academics and critics to this day. The reaction to the New Yorker magazine's publication of her story in 1948 was both voluminous and vociferous, and Jackson has since stated that the main question from readers was ''where these lotteries were held and whether they could go there and watch.'' In response she commented that if this was a valid cross-section of the reading public she would give up writing.The Lottery has been filmed in 1969 as a short (educational) film, in 1996 as TV movie, and as short films again in 2007 and 2008.

The Lottery is a (very) short story available free online. The people of a village assemble in the town square for their annual lottery. The children have gathered stones into a pile, and then the villagers arrange themselves into family groups, ready for the lottery to be drawn. It turns out this is not a lottery you want to win, although the reason for the “prize” is never truly apparent. Written in 1948, this is a powerful little commentary on maintaining traditions regardless of their purpose or appropriateness. Definitely disturbing

Shirley Jackson was a mystery and horror writer born in San Francisco, California in 1916. She is arguably best remembered for her unsettling novel of paranoia and the supernatural, The Haunting of Hill House (1959), and this terrifying short tale The Lottery (1948). This is a dark and sinister tale about an annual ritual - game - that takes place in a small village of 300 people, during which whoever draws the final black spot is sacrificed in order to ensure a good harvest the following year.The story has been both lauded and condemned and remains one of the most celebrated short stories in twentieth-century American literature. It is still puzzled over by academics and critics to this day. The reaction to the New Yorker magazine's publication of her story in 1948 was both voluminous and vociferous, and Jackson has since stated that the main question from readers was ''where these lotteries were held and whether they could go there and watch.'' In response she commented that if this was a valid cross-section of the reading public she would give up writing.The Lottery has been filmed in 1969 as a short (educational) film, in 1996 as TV movie, and as short films again in 2007 and 2008.

A dark little fable with a short and sticky ending like any good lottery should. There is no real background, just vague hints and threads of text that only highlights the lack of understanding amongst these people in the sordid ritual being played out in the village. Well worth a read.

Very good, I would say a must read. The story is strange and you can imagine what it would be like to be in the village.

This short story is simply amazing. It shows how threateting the traditions can be.The edition is very thin, 11 pages, but the quality in paper and print is what I expected from Penguin, quite good.I highly recommend this short story, it's creepy but at the same time has a tremendous critical background. Definitively, I'll buy more books from this author.

This turned out to be a study book on the first 15 pages...completely pointless and a waste of money. No where in the description does it say it's not the complete book :(

A classic dine in Ma Jackson’s sparse and direct style. A quick read and am ending that is so intense. A great story.

As a story it is too short, pity.But the aim of the book is not to entertain you with a story, per se. On the contrary, guided by the author it could be just the incipit for the reader to reinvent the story and become a storyteller by him/herself

Not sure what to say, but even though I knew the ending before I read it, I was still shocked and surprised throughout. Excellent story telling and tension.

Disturbing, ingenious, terrifying... I love It.

Gruesome, yet fascinating.

Eine dunkle Kurzgeschichte die damals in den U.S.A. einen Sturm der Entrüstung hervorrief, passend aufbereitet für den Unterricht mit verständnisfragen und Informationen. Ein preiswertes und gutes Heftchen!

Never received the item still waiting I hope I will get an answer from you guys

The Lottery,The play adheres to Shirley Jackson's short story, and holds true to the dystopian genre. It is thought provoking, and opens the door to discussions relating to the fact that times are changing and new forms of government and or laws may be necessary.

I read this one back in high school and really enjoyed the story. As an adult I still enjoy it. What does that say about me???? LOL. The Lottery is the classic short story and Shirley Jackson has influenced so many authors today. Not popular at the time it was written, The Lottery shows the mob mentality and how ‘tradition’ keeps going despite not knowing where it started and why it continues. This short story moves at a quick pace and there are signs showing what is to come, but until you reach the end you don’t see it for what it is.This is one lottery you don’t want to win! I also realize that I need to read more by Shirley Jackson!

I remember reading this in English class in high school and I never forgot it. Its message was clear and undeniable.No wonder it made such an impact when it was first published in 1948 to a big uproar.The moral of the story in my interpretation is that we should never just follow a ritual or tradition just because that's the way it's always been done. If we feel uneasy, if it goes against our morals and better judgement, there is no reason to just go along because it's "the way we do it." We need to take the time to review our lives, our rituals, our decisions and determine if there is a good effect from their outcome.When I read Stephen King's The Long Walk, I immediately thought of The Lottery. Same kind of tradition with an unmistakable outcome.I only wish this had been available as a Kindle version, as it was a little steep (in comparison to other books) to pay over $3 for a 30 page book. The Long Walk

I know it's a short story, but there's just nothing to it. A little build up, but not much else. It literally took me about 5-10 minutes to read. It had potential but went nowhere. Oh well...just a bit over $3 and a few minutes spent, so no biggie.

At once harkening back to pagan rituals designed to bring a favourable harvest, and looking into an alternate universe where those old rituals are still enacted, this story is truly frightening.

I read this story in elemetary school, and wanted to share with my granddaughter, we both loved it, so unexpected