Where to Start with Ben Loory: The Recommended Reading Path
Because Ben Loory specializes in flash fiction and modern fables rather than serialized novels, there is no strict chronological narrative to follow. Readers have the freedom to dive into his bibliography in almost any order. However, if you want to experience the evolution of his style, the best approach is to follow his publication order. Here is the recommended path for new readers:
- Step 1: Start with Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day (2011). This debut collection establishes Loory's signature style. It contains 40 short, fable-like stories that introduce his dreamlike, minimalist voice.
- Step 2: Progress to Tales of Falling and Flying (2017). His second collection builds upon the foundations of the first, adding a touch more emotional complexity, existential dread, and cosmic wonder, including stories like the acclaimed squid love story.
- Step 3: Read The Baseball Player and the Walrus (2015). If you want a quick, heartwarming change of pace—or something to read with younger family members—this picture book is a delightful standalone story of friendship.
- Step 4: Explore the Anthologies. To find rare or republished stories, check out the various multi-author anthologies Loory has contributed to, such as Tiny Nightmares (2020) and Devil's Ways (2020).
What to Know Before You Start
Before reading Ben Loory, it is helpful to understand his unique approach to prose. Loory writes short stories that read like contemporary, postmodern fables. His writing style is remarkably minimalist; he rarely uses adjectives and often strips away names, referring to characters simply as "the man," "the duck," or "the squid." This creates a universal, dreamlike quality where the absurd feels perfectly ordinary.
While his stories feature whimsical elements—such as talking animals, monsters in swimming pools, and octopi living in cities—they are not simple children's tales. Loory balances whimsy with dark, unsettling undertones, exploring themes of isolation, longing, identity, and death. It is like reading Aesop's fables crossed with episodes of The Twilight Zone.
Publication Order of Ben Loory’s Book Collections
Loory has published three primary book-length projects, including two short story collections and one illustrated children's book. They can be read as complete standalones:
Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day (2011)
This debut collection features forty brief, propulsive stories. Notable tales include "The Book," about a woman who purchases a book containing only blank pages, and "The Duck," which explores existential yearning. The book received high praise from legendary science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, who famously remarked on Loory's talent. It serves as the perfect entry point to his surreal landscapes.
The Baseball Player and the Walrus (2015)
Loory's only children's picture book, illustrated by Alex Latimer. It tells the story of a baseball player who visits a pet shop, falls in love with a walrus, and brings him home. The story is a sweet, direct exploration of loyalty, unconventional friendship, and finding where you belong.
Tales of Falling and Flying (2017)
His second major collection features another forty whimsical, dark, and touching fables. From a squid in love with the sun to a dodo contemplating its place in the world, this collection cements his place in contemporary fabulist literature. Esquire named it one of the 50 Best Fantasy Books of All Time, noting its ability to pack deep emotional truth into tiny, surreal narratives.
Publication Order of Anthologies Featuring Ben Loory
In addition to his standalone books, Ben Loory has contributed stories to several notable speculative fiction, horror, and literary anthologies. If you want to track down his wider work, look for these titles in order of publication:
- Gargoyle 57 (2011) – A classic literary magazine anthology featuring early work.
- The New Voices of Fantasy (2013 / 2017) – Edited by Peter S. Beagle and Jacob Weisman. Note: While some databases record a 2013 date, the official book publication from Tachyon Publications was in 2017.
- xo Orpheus (2013) – Edited by Kate Bernheimer, this collection features fifty modern retellings of classic myths.
- States of Terror: Volume Two (2015) – A collection of horror stories focused on different states, delivering eerie regional tales.
- Invaders: 22 Tales from the Outer Limits of Literature (2016) – An anthology showcasing literary writers crossing over into science fiction and fantasy.
- Devil's Ways (2020) – A themed collection focusing on different cultural and historical interpretations of the Devil, featuring Loory's reprinted story "Death and the Lady."
- Tiny Nightmares (2020) – Edited by Lincoln Michel and Nadxieli Nieto, this anthology compiles very short stories of horror and anxiety.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Since Ben Loory's works consist entirely of self-contained fables, there is no overarching narrative timeline. The concepts of "chronological order" and "reading order disagreements" do not apply here. The author has not written any sequels or connected series. Each story operates in its own isolated, magical-realist bubble. You can safely pick up any story, in any book, at any time without spoiling other works.
Cross-Medium Adaptions and Audio Performances
For a different way to experience Loory's work, readers can seek out audio and stage adaptations. His stories have been regularly performed on NPR's This American Life and Selected Shorts, where professional actors bring his minimalist prose to life. Furthermore, some of his stories have inspired artists in other mediums, such as a dance performance based on "The Cape" and a musical composition inspired by "The Duck."