The Most Captivating English Short Novels
Short novels and stories can be completed in a single day, allowing readers to immerse themselves in their engaging narratives. Many readers have a preference for this genre. Here are some of the most notable English short novels:
Chile Night (Roberto Bolaño)
This novel centers on themes of moral weakness and political complicity. It takes the form of a monologue delivered by the main character, Father Sebastián Orotía Lacroix, who reflects on painful memories during a deathbed vigil. He recounts a weekend trip to the luxurious home of the socialite María Canales, where her American husband transformed the basement into a site of imprisonment and torture.
Bonjour Tristesse (Françoise Sagan)
The novel follows seventeen-year-old Cécile, who spends the summer of 1954 in a beautiful villa by the Mediterranean Sea with her widowed father, known for his fleeting romantic encounters. He becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her presence, as he prefers an untroubled life. During her holiday, Cécile faces numerous challenges and significant emotional turmoil.
Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
This tale chronicles the life of Oliver Twist, an orphan who endures a difficult childhood in a workhouse filled with many children and meager provisions. One night, after finishing his porridge, Oliver dares to ask for a second helping—a bold request that leads him to be apprenticed to a gravedigger. Unable to bear the ongoing mistreatment, Oliver escapes to London.
In London, Oliver stumbles upon a man who takes in other orphans. During an outing, he witnesses a group of children taking a handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow, an elderly gentleman, and feels the urge to flee, terrified and confused. However, Mr. Brownlow confronts him, learns his story, and offers to care for him in his home. Soon, Oliver’s life becomes even more precarious, facing challenges such as being forced to commit theft and injury from a gunshot.
All Summer in a Day (Ray Bradbury)
This science fiction story depicts a day in the life of students living on Venus, eagerly anticipating the rare appearance of the sun, which only shines once every seven years. The planet is shrouded in darkness and constant rain. When Margot, a student who has seen the sun during a previous visit to Earth, finally arrives, her classmates become envious and ostracize her. Day by day, their jealousy intensifies, especially when they learn of her parents’ intentions to return her to Earth.
On the day they expect the sun to appear, the teacher arrives late, and the students lock Margot in a closet. Lost in their excitement over the sunlight, they forget her until the sun sets, at which point they rush to free her and apologize for their actions.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson)
This novel tells the story of two sisters whose family was poisoned a year prior, forcing them into a sheltered life with their uncle, marginalized by their village for rumored witchcraft. One sister ventures into town regularly to buy food and books, while their uncle attempts to instill familial loyalty. When a cousin arrives to propose marriage, she reacts by burning down the house, believing he covets their inheritance.
During the fire, Charles, the cousin, seems more focused on preserving the sisters’ wealth than saving their lives. After the house becomes mere ruins, the sisters choose to remain, facing accusations of witchcraft as Merricat admits to having poisoned their parents. Following their uncle’s death in the fire, they continue living alone in the remnants of their home.
The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
This romantic novel begins with a man holding a faded, open notebook on his lap and a woman going through her morning rituals, which he struggles to understand. As he reads to her, her story unfolds—a poignant narrative about enduring love. The story centers on Noah Calhoun, a Southern gentleman who returns to his hometown after World War II at the age of thirty-one, determined to restore his father’s farm to its former glory.
Noah is haunted by memories of a beautiful girl he loved fourteen years ago and has been unable to find her. Abruptly, she reappears in town, albeit engaged, yet she realizes she still loves Noah. Despite significant differences between them, circumstances bring them back together as they navigate their obstacles and rekindle their romance.