In an age dominated by fast information, short videos, and content consumed distractedly through social media, the short story seems to be making an unexpected return to the center of contemporary culture. It is one of the oldest literary forms, yet at the same time one of the most modern, perhaps precisely because it can condense emotions, visions, and meaning into just a few pages without losing depth.
These reflections emerged during the presentation of Gaspare Dori’s book, “The Flight of the Hummingbird and Other Tales of the Incredible”, held on May 14 at Libreria Altroquando, in the heart of Rome. The event, attended by a large audience and by the author himself, was hosted by writer and journalist Letizia Muratori, with readings performed by Silva Rivabella and Andrea Gallo.
Dori’s collection is composed of twenty-three short stories, some of them extremely brief, moving freely between different tones and atmospheres. Grotesque fiction blends with thriller elements, humor alternates with dystopian visions, while poetic and surreal moments constantly emerge throughout the book. The settings are equally diverse: from the contemporary Amazon rainforest to 1960s Budapest, from pre-revolutionary France to early jazz-era Chicago. A fragmented and visionary literary journey that nevertheless maintains a strong internal coherence: each story opens a crack in reality, allowing the reader to glimpse other dimensions and possibilities.
This aspect was particularly emphasized by Letizia Muratori during the discussion. According to the writer, Dori’s work occupies a rather unique place within the contemporary Italian literary scene: concise narratives capable of leaving a lasting emotional impact without relying on the traditional structure of the long novel.
Gaspare Dori also spoke about the creative process behind his stories. Many of them begin as unconscious intuitions and gradually evolve through historical research, social observation, narrative architecture, and character development. Some of the characters are inspired by real figures, while others are entirely fictional, yet all possess a striking sense of realism.
Muratori also reminded the audience that Dori is not only a writer but also a playwright – a collection of three previously unpublished theatrical works by him will be released in the coming months – as well as a lawyer. This versatility, and his daily relationship with reality through different professional worlds, perhaps explains why even his most surreal characters remain deeply believable.
Among the stories discussed during the evening were “The Flight of the Hummingbird”, which gives the collection its title, and “What Eltz?”, whose protagonist is unexpectedly… the tower of a medieval castle.
The readings by Silva Rivabella and Andrea Gallo were also warmly appreciated by the audience. They performed three stories from the collection – “Et Tu, Brutus”, “Let’s Cut the Rope”, and “The Encounter” – successfully conveying the rhythm and almost theatrical quality of Dori’s writing.
The audience followed the entire event with great attention and enthusiasm. Beyond the presentation of a book, the evening also reflected on something broader: the return of short storytelling as a literary form perfectly suited to contemporary times, where readers still seek emotion, wonder, and imagination, but often through brief, intense, and immediate experiences.
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