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Nina Graue's avatar

One of my favorite novellas is THE PEARL by Steinbeck.

I loved the phrase you used, “wish to be known”. It is so true; we all desire connections and deep understanding. Thank you for pointing that out.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Oh man, don’t I know it. Hold close those people who make you feel seen. Thank you for reading and letting me know. xN

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Lisa Renee's avatar

I would add to the great suggestions already here in the comments: Ship Fever, Andrea Barrett's brilliant novella in her collection of the same name. And Sarah Moss' Ghost Wall, The Fell, and Summerwater. (The Fell is my fave, I think.)

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you! I have my work cut out for me! Take good care.

xN

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Elizabeth's avatar

I love reading the other suggestions. I think I have to go with a master. . . The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy. I know he is a DWM (dead white male) but the novella is a lesson in craft.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

I love that book so much. Thanks for the reminder! xN

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Maureen Quigley Foster's avatar

A few favorites......Fight Night or anything by Miriam Toews, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid, We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Thanks so much. I'm a fan of Toews and Keegan. I can't wait to check out the others!

xN

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Eden's avatar

Oooh, that sounds like an intriguing workshop. Favorite short novel: Who Will Run the Frog Hospital by Lorrie Moore. Others that have stuck with me: Hotel Iris (Yoko Ogawa) and Ghosts (Cesar Aira).

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Love, love, love the Lorrie Moore. I don't know the others but will definitely put them on the list. Thank you! xN

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Bette's avatar

My favorite short novel is Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. I read it every year!

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you for letting me know! I am excited for my TBR stack. xxN

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Bette's avatar

I should have asked first -- is a short novel just a novel that has fewer than X number of pages? Or are there different structural elements beyond length? Anyway, as I look at my bookcase, I see many of my favorites are little books that might be called short novels.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Send away! 😘

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Bette's avatar

What's a short novel?? Perhaps qualifying:

Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin (+6 more of hers)

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Chemistry by Weike Wang (+ 1 more)

Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida

South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami (+ several more)

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid

Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Oh my gosh! You must love the form. Thanks so much. I'm going to say a short novel is under or around 200 pages. Love Colwin! Take good care.

xN

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Rachel Hall's avatar

Hello from Rochester, NY. I'm enjoying your newsletter for all the insights and dogs :)

Some fav short novels: FOSTER and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan are stunning. Two recent novellas that I love are My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson and Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans. Another good oldie: Reunion by Fred Uhlman.

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Natalie Serber's avatar

Hi There! Oh my goodness! I LOVE Foster and will look to the others you suggest for certain. Thanks for writing. xN

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