The Snake Handler

by Anthony Doerr

From the prize-winning author of The Shell Collector and Memory Wall comes an intense, rollicking short story, not available in any of his books. Carlos Ninguna is seventeen. His father is a snake-handler and Carlos is his apprentice. When a man who may or may not be on the FBI's Most Wanted List moves into the apartment above them, Carlos is faced with a whole tangle of complicated decisions.

Anthony Doerr is one of the country's most honored young story writers. His short stories have appeared in the Atlantic, McSweeney's, the Paris Review, and Zoetrope: All-Story, where "The Snake Handler" originally appeared. His most recent collection, Memory Wall, won the 2010 Story Prize.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

16 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2011

About the author

Anthony Doerr is the author of six books, The Shell Collector , About Grace , Memory Wall , Four Seasons in Rome , All the Light We Cannot See , and Cloud Cuckoo Land . Doerr is a two-time National Book Award finalist, and his fiction has won five O. Henry Prizes and won a number of prizes including the Pulitzer Prize and the Carnegie Medal. Become a fan on Facebook and stay up-to-date on his latest publications.

Reviews

[Stef Smulders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing short story, intense and gripping. This author is a born storyteller.

[Joshua William · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snake Handler is a gripping and atmospheric short story that proves Anthony Doerr can create compelling characters and meaningful tension in just a few pages. Centered on seventeen-year-old Carlos Ninguna, the story blends coming-of-age themes with suspense as he finds himself caught between family loyalty, personal responsibility, and difficult moral choices.

Doerr's writing is vivid and immersive, bringing the world of snake handling to life while steadily building an undercurrent of mystery around the enigmatic man living upstairs. The story doesn't rely on fast-paced action alone; instead, it draws readers in through rich characterization and the emotional weight of Carlos's decisions.

Despite its brevity, The Snake Handler leaves a lasting impression. It explores themes of courage, trust, and the complexities of growing up in uncertain circumstances, all while maintaining an engaging sense of suspense. Fans of literary fiction with strong character development and subtle psychological tension will find this short story both satisfying and memorable.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story. Well done. Like this author.

[Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and beautifully written.