Any list of classic books will include some of
the world's most popular novels, but the short story and the novella
should also be included. Popular classics of the English language cover
different genres, are from different eras and are written to different
lengths.
The novel is generally thought to be between 60,000 and 100,000 words in length but can often be longer. Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel, Clarissa is one of the longest at 969,000 words and, in contrast, The Notebook, by American novelist Nicholas Sparks, is one of the shortest at 49,000 words. Some experts argue that novels like The Notebook should be categorized as Novellas.
There are many examples of the novella including Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and George Orwell's Animal Farm. At just over 30,000 words Animal Farm is short but its continued popularity shows that the novella is an important vehicle for literature. Both of these writers were also proponents of the short story. A format they used to gain public attention.
Like them, Bram Stoker also found regular work through writing short stories, but he is best known as the author of Dracula. Stoker's timeless novel is told in a collection of journals, diaries, letters and newspaper articles. Its author weaves them together to tell a story that has been enjoyed by millions of readers since it was first published in 1897. Dracula lovers can extend their knowledge of the count with the short story, Dracula's Guest.
Short stories are an often over looked literary form, even though important characters like Sherlock Holmes were popularized by the format. In all 56 short stories of the famous detective were published over 36 years
Short stories are often a way for writers to begin their careers, however some important writers are best known for their short stories. American author Edgar Allan Poe used the short story to make money whilst he wrote his poetry. But ironically, he is now best known for stories like The Fall of The House of Usher and The Tell-Tale Heart.
A lot of modern authors list Poe as an influence on their writing. This includes murder mystery writer Agatha Christie, whose creation Hercule Poiret owes a lot to Poe's Inspector Dupin. The personality traits the characters share can be attributed to the broad range of conventions of the genre which Poe created. Another popular author who found inspiration in Poe's work is Stephen King. Novels such as It, The Shining and Carrie may only be 30 to 40 years old, but they are already considered classic fiction.
The novel is generally thought to be between 60,000 and 100,000 words in length but can often be longer. Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel, Clarissa is one of the longest at 969,000 words and, in contrast, The Notebook, by American novelist Nicholas Sparks, is one of the shortest at 49,000 words. Some experts argue that novels like The Notebook should be categorized as Novellas.
There are many examples of the novella including Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and George Orwell's Animal Farm. At just over 30,000 words Animal Farm is short but its continued popularity shows that the novella is an important vehicle for literature. Both of these writers were also proponents of the short story. A format they used to gain public attention.
Like them, Bram Stoker also found regular work through writing short stories, but he is best known as the author of Dracula. Stoker's timeless novel is told in a collection of journals, diaries, letters and newspaper articles. Its author weaves them together to tell a story that has been enjoyed by millions of readers since it was first published in 1897. Dracula lovers can extend their knowledge of the count with the short story, Dracula's Guest.
Short stories are an often over looked literary form, even though important characters like Sherlock Holmes were popularized by the format. In all 56 short stories of the famous detective were published over 36 years
Short stories are often a way for writers to begin their careers, however some important writers are best known for their short stories. American author Edgar Allan Poe used the short story to make money whilst he wrote his poetry. But ironically, he is now best known for stories like The Fall of The House of Usher and The Tell-Tale Heart.
A lot of modern authors list Poe as an influence on their writing. This includes murder mystery writer Agatha Christie, whose creation Hercule Poiret owes a lot to Poe's Inspector Dupin. The personality traits the characters share can be attributed to the broad range of conventions of the genre which Poe created. Another popular author who found inspiration in Poe's work is Stephen King. Novels such as It, The Shining and Carrie may only be 30 to 40 years old, but they are already considered classic fiction.
Pregnancy, as you probably know, is nine months long (or 38 weeks from conception, if you're really serious about keeping count). And if you've ever been pregnant before, you probably think that's plenty long enough. But is nine months really long enough? Does that time-honored baby-making timetable really stand up to the latest obstetrical science? 
