The Lady, or the Tiger?
The Lady, or the Tiger?, first published in 1882, is the short story that made Frank R. Stockton famous. A semi-barbaric king has devised a strange form of justice: the accused man stands in an arena before two identical doors, one hiding a hungry tiger, the other a beautiful lady whom he must marry on the spot. When a young courtier dares to love the king's daughter, he is sent to the arena, and the princess, who has learned the secret of the doors, signals to him which one to open. The story ends at the moment he opens it, leaving the reader to decide which fate she chose for him. Witty and teasing, it has been debated by readers ever since. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Lady, or the Tiger?
The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Lady, or the Tiger? online?
Yes. The Lady, or the Tiger? opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Lady, or the Tiger? free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Lady, or the Tiger? is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Lady, or the Tiger? in the public domain?
Yes. The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Lady, or the Tiger??
About 11 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Lady, or the Tiger??
The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton is filed under "Short Stories" in the Vinteuil library.
