Notable Narratives

This short narrative tells a wonderful, heartwarming tale; it’s built on essential, particular details; it pursues themes—in this case, of generosity, goodwill and small-town charm. Add Barry’s genius for structuring…

While we wished for a central character to focus this narrative, we enjoyed its overall drive—and its fresh topic. We loved the strong voice in the line, “What followed defies…

This deadline narrative takes an interesting tack: Given sole access to the 15-year-old girl married to a man accused of raping her, Kenney writes her story from the girl’s point…

In this investigative piece, Rozen traces contacts between members and affiliates of the Bush administration and an Iranian exile with a reputation for tall tales. Rozen builds on the case…

As the auto writer for the Los Angeles Times, Neil got the chance to drive a replica of Karl Friedrich Benz’s first gas-powered car. While describing the run with pleasure,…

This essay appeared in Best American Travel Writing 2004. In much of his writing, Haines is a cross-cultural guide, seeking to take his readers into foreign worlds, to help them…

This series is a great example of how good storytelling can help us understand issues in new and illuminating ways. Godines describes her descent into mental illness with dramatic skill.…

This is a portrait of elderly nuns and the work of David Snowdon, a professor of neurology who has enrolled the nuns in a study on aging. Through several nuns,…

We include this piece in part because of its strong authorial presence. Sedensky guides readers through his portrait of Fred Phelps with a firm hand. Here’s an example: “They’re not…

Xan Rice had recently met Martin Adler when Adler was shot and killed at a rally in Somalia. Four days later Rice offered this account. We liked the vivid photo-like…