''Twenty-One Stories'' (1954) is a collection of

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction. It can typically be read in a single sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the old ...

Graham Greene Henry Graham Greene (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading novelists of the 20th century. Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquired a re ...

. All but the last four stories appeared in his earlier 1947 collection ''Nineteen Stories'' (two stories, "The Other Side Of The Border" and "The Lottery Ticket" were not included in the later collection)

Stories

The collection usually presents the stories in reverse chronological order #" The End of the Party" (1929) #"The Second Death" (1929) #" Proof Positive" (1930) #" I Spy" (1930) #" A Day Saved" (1935) #" Jubilee" (1936) #"

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" (1936) #" A Chance for Mr Lever" (1936) #" The Basement Room" (1936) (adapted by the author as '' The Fallen Idol'', a film directed by

Carol Reed Sir Carol Reed (30 December 1906 – 25 April 1976) was an English film director and producer, best known for '' Odd Man Out'' (1947), '' The Fallen Idol'' (1948), '' The Third Man'' (1949), and '' Oliver!'' (1968), for which he was awarded th ...

) #" The Innocent" (1937) #" A Drive in the Country" (1937) #" Across the Bridge" (1938) (made into a 1957 film starring

Rod Steiger Rodney Stephen Steiger ( ; April 14, 1925 – July 9, 2002) was an American actor, noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often volatile and crazed characters. Ranked as "one of Hollywood's most charismatic and dynamic stars", he is closely associ ...

) #" A Little Place off the Edgware Road" (1939) #" The Case for the Defence" (1939) #" Alas, Poor Maling" (1940) #"

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" (1940) #" Greek Meets Greek" (1941) #" The Hint of an Explanation" (1948) #" The Blue Film" (1954) #" Special Duties" (1954) #"

The Destructors "The Destructors" is a 1954 short story written by Graham Greene, first published in ''Picture Post'' and subsequently collected in '' Twenty-One Stories'' later that year.