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Short Stories or Novels?

V

Violanthe

New Member
When it comes to reading fiction, which form do you prefer? Which do you read most often? What are the pros and cons of each? Why do you find it more engaging, entertaining, etc?
 
I read far more novels than short stories. Novels you get to live with, get used to, become a part of. Short stories, they just come and go in one sitting. And that's fine as well. I like both. But I'd have to say I like novels more.
 
I've just recently picked up some short stories that were recommended here and they look very good but I've always been more of a novel reader myself. No real reason for that, just that I hear more about novels than short stories and so when picking up books none of the shorts were familiar.
 
I think there is a similar thread to this somewhere. I'm sure Stewart will find it.


I love the relationship of a novel, but, especially when I have recently finished a particularly good or long one, I like to read some short stories to sort of keep the fires burning.

They both have their place, depends on the mood, the time, and the motivation.
 
i like novels more than short stories. the longer, the better. i like to really get to know the characters, and i think you need more than a short story to do that.
 
I prefer to read novels to short stories, but every now and then I will read some short stories, and of course I have to study them in school. I like novels a bit better because there is more time to develop things ie characters, setting etc, so I can "immerse" myself in the world of a novel a lot more easily.
 
I read more novels by far than short stories, no surprise there, and do prefer long novels. However, there are short stories well worth reading where the author gets it all together like a perfect gem, and these stories then stand up in their own way against the best of the novels I have read. The short story I]Adultery[/I] by Andre Dubus comes to mind as an example. It was adapted for the motion picture "We Don't Live Here Any More," and mainly provided the back-story for one of the characters. However, with that character in the foreground, it is totally different from the picture and is absolutely stunning in its own right. I would recommend Dubus as someone to look at for short stories.
Peder
 
I read far more novels than short stories. I don't have a preference of one over the other because I like both forms but for different reasons. Novels have the luxury of developing characters and back-story. As a reader, you can sit back and immerse yourself in a different world, mull things over as the characters and situations unfold. However, a good short must convey everything in a few pages. I always look for that 'cystalline' point in a short story where I get what I call an "aha!" moment - everything becomes clear and I see the entire situation and characters in a flash.

Peder, thank you for the mention of Dubus. I will look for his collections next time I'm at the library or bookstore.

ell
 
Ell said:
Peder, thank you for the mention of Dubus. I will look for his collections next time I'm at the library or bookstore.
ell
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Ell,
Make sure you get a collection with Adultery in it. I think you will find it like no other short story you have ever read.
Peder
 
I prefer novels. Even the lengthiest short stories tend to have a "rushed" plot and are structurally bunched-up. I like a story that is related through more than one vantage point and a lot of popular novel writers use that approach today.
 
Violanthe said:
When it comes to reading fiction, which form do you prefer?
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Novels. Without a shadow of a doubt.

However, if I were to read horror or science fiction I would prefer it as short stories as that, I believe, is where they are best. A full novel about spaceships or something living in the closet would now bore me to death; the modern need for explanation has ruined these genres. With short stories there's little need to explain - things can happen because they can.
 
I think Stephen King said/wrote something like, "Short stories are like a quick kiss from a stranger in the dark; novels are more like a long and satisfying affair." Both have their appeals. But I'm definitely a novel reader.
 
KristoCat said:
I think Stephen King said/wrote something like, "Short stories are like a quick kiss from a stranger in the dark; novels are more like a long and satisfying affair." Both have their appeals. But I'm definitely a novel reader.
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Good answer, I like that analogy :)
 
I rarely read short stories. I much prefer novels for all the reasons others have already stated. I have never really found short stories very satisfying.
 
SFG75 said:
I prefer novels. Even the lengthiest short stories tend to have a "rushed" plot and are structurally bunched-up. I like a story that is related through more than one vantage point and a lot of popular novel writers use that approach today.
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depends on what you're looking for in a short story though. If you're after plot and structure, then yes, short stories might not be your thing. Maybe short stories are better for thematic stuff, and character studies.
 
Mostly short stories

I usually go for a short story, esp while travelling as it keeps me engaged.I vehemently read novels only if they are quite reputed ;else even the obscurest short story is better than some cheap selling novel.
 
I've never been a huge fan of short stories. There've been some notable exceptions, such as O. Henry, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack Finney. But this year, I've come across several anthologies that have made me more appreciative of the genre. I still prefer a full length novel, just because I'm nosy and want to know ALL about the characters and their settings. The nice thing about the short story collections I've read is they've introduced me to writers who are new to me, and therefore opened new avenues to pursue.
 
abecedarian said:
I've never been a huge fan of short stories. There've been some notable exceptions, such as O. Henry, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack Finney. But this year, I've come across several anthologies that have made me more appreciative of the genre. I still prefer a full length novel, just because I'm nosy and want to know ALL about the characters and their settings. The nice thing about the short story collections I've read is they've introduced me to writers who are new to me, and therefore opened new avenues to pursue.
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abc,
Ah, a kindred spirit! I'm all ears! Which short story collections?
Peder
 
Peder said:
abc,
Ah, a kindred spirit! I'm all ears! Which short story collections?
Peder
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1. Legend 2 ed. Robert Silverberg

2. Turn the Other Chicks-ed. Esther Friesner

3. Girls' Night Out-ed. Lauren Henderson(didn't care too much for these)

4. The Book of Ballads-Charles Vess

5. Tales From the Turtle-ed. Piers Anthony(Native Am. authors)

6. The Faery Reel-ed. Ellen Datlow and Teri Winderling

7. I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down-William Gay(morbid stuff-I hated them all)

8. Bad Boys With Expensive Toys-ed. Nancy Warren( pure fluff)

9. The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror-ed. Ellen Datlow(dummy me forgot to note which year..)

10. Murder By Magic-ed Rosemary Edgehill

11. Bite-ed. Laurell K. Hamilton

12. Ten Little Indians-Sherman Alexi

The main reason,ok, the only reason, I read the William Gay collection was because of the name connection. My mom's maiden name was Gay, and she was from the south, like Mr. Gay..and I was curious. He's great with detail and plot and all, I just thought he needed to lighten up..
 
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