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.)
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
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.)
Thank you! I have my work cut out for me! Take good care.
xN
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.
I love that book so much. Thanks for the reminder! xN
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.
Thanks so much. I'm a fan of Toews and Keegan. I can't wait to check out the others!
xN
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).
Love, love, love the Lorrie Moore. I don't know the others but will definitely put them on the list. Thank you! xN
My favorite short novel is Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. I read it every year!
Thank you for letting me know! I am excited for my TBR stack. xxN
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.
Send away! 😘
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
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
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.
Hi There! Oh my goodness! I LOVE Foster and will look to the others you suggest for certain. Thanks for writing. xN