Great Short Books
A Year of Reading—Briefly
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
This entertaining guide to some of the best short novels of all time, from a bestselling historian, is the “perfect gift for busy bibliophiles” (BookPage).
Experience the joys of literature with this this “exciting guide to all that the world of fiction has to offer” (The New York Times Book Review): a compulsively readable, deeply engaging discussion of great short novels. A journey into fiction designed with our contemporary attention spans in mind, Great Short Books suggests fifty-eight excellent short novels, all under 200 pages—easily readable in a week or less—a fresh approach to a fun, fascinating year of reading.
From hard-boiled fiction to magical realism, the 18th century to the present day, Great Short Books spans genres, cultures, countries, and time to present an enchanting and diverse selection of acclaimed and canonical novels. From works in translation like Yu Miri’s Tokyo Ueno Station and Marguerite Duras’s The Lover to popular, acclaimed authors like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, this compilation is a celebration of classics from the historic to contemporary—plus a few bestsellers, including Stephen King and Colson Whitehead. Each entry includes the novel’s opening lines, a spoiler-free plot summary, a “why you should read it” section, and suggestions for what to read next.
“An entertaining journey with a fun, knowledgeable guide” (Booklist), this eclectic collection is a fun and practical book for any passionate reader hoping to broaden their literary IQ—or anyone who wants to find an effortless reentry into reading.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's time to remedy the fact that short novels "get no respect," according to this thoughtful survey from historian Davis (Two-Bit Culture: The Paperbacking of America). Brief novels, which usually land between 100 and 200 pages, are "like a great first date... pleasant, even exciting, and memorable," he writes. "But there is no long-term commitment." Davis presents one short novel for every week of the year, "plus six bonus books" and follows the same format for each entry: he quotes the opening paragraph of the book, before offering a (spoiler-free) plot summary, a biographical essay on the author, a "why you should read it" assessment, and a list of things to read next by the author. There are classics—The Great Gatsby thanks to its "timeless and timely" nature; Lord of the Flies makes for "a thrilling read"; and Animal Farm is as "a potent cautionary tale in our time"—as well as lesser known and more recent novels. Alberto Moravia's Agostino "is both painful and candid"; Natalia Ginzburg's The Dry Heart "grows more complex and tragic as it unfolds"; Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys is lauded for its spare prose; and Leïla Slimani's The Perfect Nanny is a showcase of psychological complexity. Davis's conversational tone makes him a great guide to these literary aperitifs. This is sure to leave book lovers with something new to add to their lists.
