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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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
November 22, 2022 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781797148007
- File size: 319297 KB
- Duration: 11:05:12
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from June 1, 2023
Writer and historian Davis ("Don't Know Much About" series) turned to fiction in the early days of the COVID pandemic, "not as an escape from the constant press of dreadful news, but as an antidote." Short novels were a perfect fit for Davis's pandemic-compromised attention span, but he also believes they can be valuable stepping-stones to authors' longer works. Covering over 250 years, from 1759 (Voltaire's Candide) to 2019 (Whitehead's The Nickel Boys), Davis's 58 selections include expected classics from well-known authors (Orwell's Animal Farm; Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway) and, refreshingly, many contemporary works and works in translation. Entries for each book include their first lines, a plot summary (no spoilers!), an author biography, reasons to read the title, and what to read next. While this structured format could lead to a less-than-thrilling listening experience, talented narrators Adenrele Ojo and Leon Nixon compellingly deliver the well-crafted entries, drawing in listeners with the often captivating first lines and fully conveying Davis's passion for each title. Davis's performance of the introduction and afterword is also engaging. VERDICT Anyone looking to revisit classics or broaden their reading interests will treasure Ojo's and Nixon's brilliant performances and Davis's curated list of outstanding short fiction.--Beth Farrell
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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