James Joyce 
Dead 

The final story in Joyce’s ‘Dubliners’ collection, ‘The Dead’ tells the story of Gabriel Conroy and his wife, Gretta. While at a Christmas party hosted by his aunts, Gretta tells the story of Michael Furey, who had wooed her in her youth. However, Michael died at the age of 17, leaving her heartbroken. For Gabriel, this tale is something of a shocking revelation. Will he be able to reconcile himself to walking in Michael’s shadow? With one of the best closing lines in literary history, ‘The Dead’ was adapted for film, starring Anjelica Houston and Colm Meaney.-