Editors’ Picks: The Best Narratively Stories of 2019

From rebellious radio broadcasters to daring scientists, these colorful characters star in our team's favorite stories from the past year.

Collage by Yunuen Bonaparte

The Pirate Radio Broadcaster Who Occupied Alcatraz and Terrified the FBI Story by Jacob Pagano

Image by Michelle Vignes/Gamma-Rapho, via Getty Images Fifty years ago, John Trudell overcame tragedy to become the national voice for Native Americans — and a model for a new generation of activists. “We rarely hear stories of resistance in the Native American community, or people of color in general, but they are there. This is why I love Narratively. We get to uncover all these stories that prove POCs’ resilience. It reminds me that we’ve always been here and we’ll continue to be here.” – Yunuen Bonaparte, Photo Editor

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The Pregnant Scientist Who Raced Against Death to Transform Physics Story by Matt Grant

Illustration by Michelle Mruk In 1749, Emilie du Châtelet feared bearing a child at 42 would be the last thing she did. In her final year, she worked furiously on a magnum opus that would change the world. “It’s a vibrant educational excavation, with du Châtelet’s story illuminating the same issues working women struggle with today while showing how medical advancements have enabled so many to lead longer lives. The way the writer crafted the ending with the long-deceased subject’s words was quite moving.” – Shawna Kenney, Contributing Editor “It’s captivating in its storytelling, and tells the story of a woman, Gabrielle Emilie le Tonnelier de Breteuil, whose contributions to physics has been long overlooked.” – Julia Métraux, Editorial Assistant

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A Short Stay In Hell Story by Narratively

Illustration by Zoe van Dijk Steve was a father of five and a devout Mormon when he was dragged into a world that upended everything he knew to be true. “Our Believable podcast was nearly two years in the making, and this episode is a perfect example of Narratively’s storytelling adapted for audio. It’s a multi-layered, gorgeously produced, revelatory narrative set at the crossroads of faith, fear and love.” – Noah Rosenberg, Founder, CEO and Editor-In-Chief of Narratively

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The Secret Revenge of an Assault Survivor Story by Estela Salazar, as told to Amy Roost

Illustration by Vaughn Parish At 11, Estela killed her rapist and fled to the U.S. Fifty years later, she’s revealing the story that made her the resilient woman she is. “Reading Estela’s story was truly a wild ride. It recounts the making of a tough woman, but in her calm words, we get to witness the absurdity of child sexual abuse and victim shaming. Luckily, this roller-coaster ride concludes with a taste of sweetness, of true love and understanding.” – Zeyi Yang, Editorial Intern “This was an incredibly moving story of someone who faced so much hardship in her life. A poignant reminder that, though we may see someone all the time, the only way to know what they have been through is to ask. I was also absolutely thrilled to work with Vaughn Parrish on these fine illustrations.” – Vinnie Neuberg, Illustrations Editor “An eye-opening and uplifting account of a Hispanic woman persevering through life’s peaks and valleys, juxtaposing some of the darkest events imaginable with moments of deserved happiness — from falling madly in love with a famous musician to experiencing the joys of motherhood — all the while exploring themes of true love, true crime, revenge, redemption, and the life-affirming ways in which time can turn unthinkable tragedy into undeniable triumph.” – Joe Lugo, Director of TV, Film & Video Development

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History’s Greatest Horse Racing Cheat and His Incredible Painting Trick Story by Josh Nathan-Kazis

Illustration by Alvin Fai In the sport’s post-Depression heyday, one audacious grifter beat the odds with an elaborate scam: disguising fast horses to look like slow ones. “A story that kept me glued to the screen, featuring grifters, gamblers and a particularly gifted conman, Josh Nathan-Kazis does a brilliant job of combining exhaustive historical research and heart-stopping pacing to bring this story stampeding to life.” – Farah Mohammed, Contributing Editor

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Year of the Mad Bomber Story by Tony Rettman

Photo courtesy Joshua Melville Fifty years ago, a left-wing radical planted bombs across New York, launching a desperate manhunt — and an explosive new strain of political extremism. “I was so happy to have a hand in bringing this story to Narratively’s ‘Hidden History’ section this year. A true crime tale from New York City, it’s as gritty and dark as you’d expect it to be, all made possible by Tony Rettman’s exhaustive reporting. Unfortunately, the anger, violence and divisive politics that collectively form this piece’s foundation still permeate the American landscape today. Still, this remains a great, quick-paced and compelling read.” — Michael Stahl, Contributing Editor and Layout Manager

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Confessions of a Professional Fake Shopper By Sam Dunnington

Illustration by Jennifer Xiao When desperate storeowners want to convince passersby to stop in, they hire fun, happy people to pose as shoppers. They’re actually out-of-work actors, retirees, and me. “This piece is a great example of how personal essays don’t necessarily have to be dark and depressing in order to be substantive (though lord knows I love a macabre, heavy story, too). This is a quirky, humorous piece that still gets to the heart of a meaningful experience and asks big questions about what it means to be a human being, trying to find your place in the world.” — Lilly Dancyger, Memoir Editor-at-Large

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The Man With the Golden Airline Ticket  Story by Caroline Rothstein

Photo courtesy Caroline Rothstein My dad was one of the only people with a good-for-life, go-anywhere American Airlines pass. Then they took it away. This is the true story of having — and losing — a superpower. “Caroline Rothstein’s saga is the kind of story that Narratively was made for. She blends memoir and reportage with epic storytelling. The resulting piece reads like a riveting four-act play. Our amazing art team created original illustrations, custom headers, and a creative presentation for family photos to do this nearly 9,000-word story justice.” — Brendan Spiegel, Editorial Director

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The Parachuting Female Journalist Who Dove Into War Headfirst Story by Lorissa Rinehart

Image courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society Dickey Chapelle jumped out of planes, marched through the jungle and survived enemy prison — redefining what it meant to be a woman on the front lines. “Lorissa Rinehart’s gripping exploration of the life of Dickey Chapelle starts with a woman ripping out her own fingernail and only gets more intense from there.” — W.M. Akers, Senior Editor For more of our finest work, check out Narratively’s 10 Most Popular Stories of 2019.