Reading Groups

The Craft of Short Fiction in Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules with Thais Vitorelli

3 Sessions Tuesdays, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT August 12 to August 26, 2025

Online via Zoom

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The ‘With Books’ option includes the title required for this group at a 10% discount from our Bookstore.

Meeting Dates:
8/12, 8/19, 8/26
Online via Zoom

In this three-session reading group, we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich anthology Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules, a collection of short stories hand-selected by acclaimed author and humorist David Sedaris. First published in 2005 and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the collection invites readers into a curated landscape of unforgettable characters, sharp insights, and emotional resonance—featuring masters of the form such as Flannery O’Connor, Joyce Carol Oates, Tobias Wolff, Jhumpa Lahiri, and more.

Together, we’ll explore the technical brilliance behind these stories, discussing what makes them resonate so deeply within such limited space. Through guided, participant-led conversations, this group offers an opportunity to engage with some of the most influential voices in contemporary literature and with stories that continue to stand the test of time.

What to read in advance of the first meeting: Please read the following stories prior to our first meeting:

Introduction by David Sedaris
“Oh, Joseph, I’m So Tired” by Richard Yates
“Gryphon” by Charles Baxter
“Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri
“The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield
“Half A Grapefruit” by Alice Munro.

What to expect from this reading group: Participants can expect a conversational, participant-driven atmosphere with guided discussion prompts and close reading support. The focus will be on shared insights and collaborative interpretation.

Reading List:

Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules, edited and introduced by David Sedaris

Please note: All virtual classes are recorded. Please click here for information about our recording policy.

Led by

Thais Vitorelli

Thais Vitorelli

Thais Vitorelli is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and educator from São Paulo, Brazil. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from The New School, and sometimes experiments with poetry and autofiction. Her stories have been featured in The Inquisitive Eater, Share Literary Journal, Pitch Wars, and Coca-Cola Refreshing Films.

About this series

Reading Groups

Whether you’re looking to catch up on great novels or you’re interested in exploring a new writer or literary period, our reading groups offer high-level literary discussion led by experts in the field.

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