So you want to get into Pynchon (or Bolaño,
or Morrison, or Woolf) but you’re short on time—and perhaps on attention
span? Click no further, reader. There are plenty of famous authors
whose work, while appealing in theory, may seem impenetrable—whether
because the books themselves are notoriously difficult or because
they’ve written so many books that you don’t know where to start. Sure,
you could start with their most famous book, but if your real, secret
goal is to only say you’ve read so-and-so at your next party (and not be
lying), why not start with their shortest? To aid you in your
worthwhile endeavor, I’ve sought out the shortest novels written by a
selection of difficult writers. I’ve excluded nonfiction and short
stories in my estimation, but allowed novellas, since the definition of
the novella is hazy at best. Also note that the exact page count of most
of these texts varies by edition, so my number may not exactly match
the one you have on your shelf at home. Beyond that, feel free to add on
to this list in the comments section. ....
It’s less the length and more the crushing
pessimism and ubiquitous violence that makes McCarthy’s work difficult
for many to get into, but still—fewer pages, fewer opportunities for
bloodshed. Not that Child of God isn’t horribly violent and upsetting, mind you. (It’s about a necrophiliac.) ... http://lithub.com/the-shortest-novels-written-by-20-authors-you-shouldve-read-by-now/
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