SubJeff on 7/11/2010 at 10:51
Quote Posted by Stitch
I think that short stories are generally underrated--why do established novelists often stop writing them, anyway?--but novels also fulfill a different and valuable place. Short stories are passionate but all-consuming sex affairs whereas long novels are akin to falling in love with someone's hidden strengths over an extended and enriching courtship.
This.
For me it depends on how much time I have on my hands which isn't a lot atm. I prefer short stories or shorter novels (novellas?) at the moment, things as long as I Am Legend, or Ender's Game. The last thing I (almost) read was World War Z and I haven't finished it as it's juuust longer than I like.
Sulphur on 7/11/2010 at 11:03
There's something to be said for the comfort of settling in with a novel for the long haul, for taking the time to get cozy with it. Having said that, I routinely read all kinds of fiction, short or long. And as a long-time science fiction fan, many of the best stories and ideas can only be found in the sharpness and intensity of the short story.
But overall, it's not the length that matters, really. It's whether the story makes its impact in the number of words it's given. When I say quality over quantity, it goes for everything - a badly written novel or short story remains badly written regardless of how many words its story might be floundering in.
catbarf on 7/11/2010 at 17:00
I like short stories because they force the author to get to the point and make it quickly. There's none of the fluffing about that a lot of mediocre novels do, and a short story is a great way for an author to briefly explore a topic without having to form an entire novel around it.
I have several annual collections of sci-fi short stories, and I find them entertaining because I can read for hours at a time without it getting stale. I'm also reading every Sherlock Holmes story, and I prefer the short stories to the novels because they're very focused.
Angel Dust on 7/11/2010 at 19:45
I guess that since I'm about halfway through Infinite Jest (and fucking loving it), I'm more of a novel guy but I've certainly got nothing against a good short story or novella. Really it's just as others have said: all approaches have their strengths (and weaknesses) so it depends on the story.
Chade on 8/11/2010 at 06:02
When I was younger I spared little time for short stories. Now I have no time for long ones.
My experience has been that short stories on average are more imaginative then long ones. It seems to me that short stories have the advantage of concentrating on one or two ideas, rather then having to integrate lots of ideas. This may just reflect the fact that half the novels I read as a teenager were generic fantasy drivel, though.
Dia on 8/11/2010 at 11:26
I prefer the longer novels to short stories or novellas; provided the content is interesting and the author one I consider to be a good story-teller. Long novels are like journeys for me; I want to 'see' everything and I enjoy taking my time just as though I really am taking a journey or vacation. I want to be able to immerse myself in the author's world to the point that when I take a break and stop reading it's almost a surprise to find myself sitting in my comfy chair in RL. I have nothing against novellas or short stories, which are fine for breaks and lunchtimes at work, or if I have some time to spare before I have to be someplace else.
