Posted on 06/03/2026 10:34:42 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
We updated this list as part of the the Best of the Best Books Reading Challenge! Join the challenge now!
Very short novels have a special magic—not least because, not to be morbid, you can simply read more of them before the inevitable heat death of the planet (or similar). I previously wrote about great contemporary novels under 200 pages, but now it is time to turn my attention to my favorite short classics—which represent the quickest and cheapest way, I can tell you in my salesman voice, to become “well-read.”
A few notes: Because the “contemporary” list surveyed novels published since 1970 (inclusive), this list will define “classic” as being originally published before 1970. Yes, these distinctions are somewhat arbitrary, but one has to draw the line somewhere (though I let myself slide on certain translation dates). I did not differentiate between novels and novellas (as Steven Millhauser would tell you, the novella is not a form at all, but merely a length), but let’s be honest with ourselves: “The Dead” is a short story, and so is “The Metamorphosis.” Sorry! I limited myself to one book by each author, valiantly, I should say, because I was tempted to cheat (looking at you Jean Rhys).
Most importantly for our purposes here: lengths vary with editions, sometimes wildly. I did not include a book below unless I could find that it had been published at least once in fewer than 200 pages—which means that some excellent novels, despite coming tantalizingly close to the magic number, had to be left off for want of proof (see Mrs. Dalloway, Black No More, Slaughterhouse-Five, etc. etc. etc.). However, your personal edition might not exactly match the number I have listed here. Don’t worry: it’ll still be short.
Finally, as always: “best” lists are subjective, no ranking is definitive, and I’ve certainly forgotten, or never read, or run out of space for plenty of books and writers here. Therefore, please add on at will in the comments.
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Jim
Can't forget Philip K. Dick. Outside the dodecahedron,
thanks! i just checked it out from my local library ... [title is actually “A Lost Lady”] ...
“Can’t forget Philip K. Dick”
totally ... seems like half his books have been made into movies, some good and some bad [the movies, not the books] ...
Thank you! I want to read a few of these again - some I haven’t read since high school.
LOL! I’m at the tail end of mine. Just a few flowers to tuck in here and there and some more bean seeds to go in. :)
“I have read many books of around 700 pages that would have been much more memorable and enjoyable at less than 300 pages.”
Exactly! If the story is good, the characters are realistic, why all the fluff?
‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad needs to be on that list.
That was suggested in the comments.
I also thought, ‘The House on Mango Street’ should be added. I didn’t think I’d like that story, but I fell in love with it.
Noted! Thanks!
How about Candide by Voltaire?
‘Goodreads’ lists 955 short novels, if you need more. (Some overlap)
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/19194.Best_Books_Under_200_Pages
‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull.’ I read that curled up on the couch at my Aunt’s house one afternoon. I think I was about 12? Life-changing at the time. I really like all of Richard Bach’s books, though they’re kinda sappy for some people. ;)
“The Slaughter House Five: Kurt Vonnegut”
I went on a Vonnegut kick in High School. My Mom was a little worried, but I turned out just fine, LOL!
This is the same woman who handed me, ‘Jaws’ and said, ‘You have GOT to read this! *SHUDDER*
“Hound of the Baskervilles needs to be off.”
Agreed. It was tedious. I’ve never gotten through it.
I never read any Sci Fi growing up; it just didn’t appeal to me.
A few years ago I discovered Blake Crouch and read all of his books and got hooked. I also ready his ‘Wayward Pines’ series which they made into a serial, but I haven’t seen that. Also top notch.
Then, of course, I started on all the ‘classic’ Sci Fi writers and it’s been wonderful. :)
I watched Bugs Bunny. Or the Three Stooges.
Bkmrk
The Picture of Dorian Grey is another one.
66 of Agatha Christies novels were less than 250 pages.
Dorian Grey! YES! :)
Thank you, Di!
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