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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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“I watched Bugs Bunny.”
‘Kill The Rabbit! Kill The Rabbit! Kill The Rabbit!’ ;)
Lol!
Great. Another woman declaring size matters.
Love Agatha. And what an interesting life, outside of her writing.
Bump
Philip Jose Farmer, the “Riverworld” series of novels was very unusual, challenging effects on one’s soul-consciousness. A Hugo-award class writer, about contemporary to the age of my father.
I mostly read history and biographies.
But when I want some light reading, there is nothing better than...
Louis L’Amour.
‘Riverworld’ I’ve had that series suggested to me before. Will check it out. Thanks! :)
https://www.pjfarmer.com/WORKS-series-riverworld.html
However, Robert Heinlein captured the depth of concupiscence in his "Stranger In A Strange Land" that shocked me to the core, but was prophetic of the absolute hedonism that has impregnated and drained our national character of godly morality except for the few Patrriots clinging to the righteousness of the only Savior and Redeemer of lost souls,
My favorite Heinlein quote, and one I've tried to live by:
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