Kew Gardens
The next name on the list of the best short bedtime stories for adults online is "Kew Gardens", a 1919 short story by Virginia Woolf. The story is set in the famous Kew Gardens in London. It follows a group of visitors as they stroll through the garden on a sunny day. Rather than having a conventional plot with a central conflict or characters, the story focuses on the thoughts, observations, and impressions of the various individuals encountered along the way.
"Kew Gardens" explores themes related to the passage of time, the transience of life, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The story encourages readers to pause and observe the world around them, finding beauty in small moments and the natural world.
Virginia Woolf is a key figure in modernist literature, and "Kew Gardens" can be compared to her other works like "Mrs. Dalloway" and "To the Lighthouse." It shares similarities with the stream-of-consciousness style of authors like James Joyce, particularly in his novel "Ulysses."
This story is recommended for readers who appreciate modernist literature and experimental narrative styles. It's a brief but thought-provoking work that invites readers to contemplate the intricacies of human perception and the world's beauty.
Author: Virginia Woolf
Published: January 1, 1919
Link to read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3720746-kew-gardens?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=m2cHxW4CdC&rank=4
