Since its first publication in 1948, one of Vladimir Nabokov's shortest short stories, "Signs and Symbols," has generated perhaps more interpretations and critical appraisal than any other that he wrote. It has been called "one of the greatest short stories ever written" and "a triumph of economy and force, minute realism and shimmering mystery" (Brian Boyd, Vladimir Nabokov: The American Years).

Anatomy of a Short Story contains:

- the full text of "Signs and Symbols," line numbered and referenced throughout
- correspondence about the story, most of it never...