Novellas have had an interesting resurgence over the past few years. Perhaps we have finally grown weary of the long, multi-book epic. Perhaps we just want bite-sized works to read in the middle of our busy lives.
Whatever the case, I’m having a great time because of it. As a wizened elder in his mid-30s with a young child who would put and eat many dangerous things in his mouth if I wasn’t watching, novellas provide me with works that I can read in one sitting when given the chance. Beyond that, they also provide some of the best writing you’re likely to find anywhere.
Novellas force authors to be more efficient with their writing, fighting a ton of work into a little space. As such, many novellas include some of the hands-down best writing on a technical level I’ve ever seen. Don’t believe me? Here are some of the best novellas from the past five years.
Give one a read and tell me if I’m wrong. What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher This novella can be classified as several things, as it also ends up in horror sections in many stores.
A retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s , Kingfisher uses incredibly vivid descriptions and a tense atmosphere to create an unforgettable experience. It almost feels like cozy horror, with a slight sci-fi twist that I won’t spoil. It should be no surprise that Kingfisher’s novella reads well.
She won the Hugo for another of her books, just last year. Her characters in this novella are wonderful, memorable, and fleshed out, with bits a.
