Booking Through Thursday question of the week:
I actually prefer both right now. I rarely read short stories but in my recent English classes in university, I have been introduced to wonderful short stories written by Malaysian (local) and foreign authors. For example, I read stories by local writers like Karim Raslan and Chuah Guat Eng and their stories are really interesting. Karim Raslan's Heroes are somewhat controversial and erotic that my English tutor wondered aloud as to why the book was chosen for us to study!
On the other hand, Chuah Guat Eng's stories, in The Old House & Other Stories for example, are more focused on the strengths and capabilities of women. Yup, there's "girl power" in her books. My friend proudly considers her a feminist.
Besides, I adore the short stories by Roald Dahl. His stories are dark but there are humour in them too. They definitely pull the reader in as the plot is so exciting and it only makes the reader want to know, what happens next and fast! I was also introduced to some of Edgar Allan Poe's stories such as The Black Cat, William Wilson and The Fall of the House of Usher. It took a little extra effort to comprehend the different style of English writing of the stories. They were harder to understand and I encountered words I didn't know so Poe's stories weren't as scary as they should be. I only got the chills when I read the synopsis in modern English on Wikipedia.
As for full-length novels, I have been reading them since I began to love reading. I will never shun novels because why should I stop reading them? I read different genres and novels are among them. I love novels. They teach me a lot of life lessons and about people. Novels are just as educational as short stories. :)
How about you?
Which do you prefer? Short stories? Or full-length novels?My answer:
I actually prefer both right now. I rarely read short stories but in my recent English classes in university, I have been introduced to wonderful short stories written by Malaysian (local) and foreign authors. For example, I read stories by local writers like Karim Raslan and Chuah Guat Eng and their stories are really interesting. Karim Raslan's Heroes are somewhat controversial and erotic that my English tutor wondered aloud as to why the book was chosen for us to study!
On the other hand, Chuah Guat Eng's stories, in The Old House & Other Stories for example, are more focused on the strengths and capabilities of women. Yup, there's "girl power" in her books. My friend proudly considers her a feminist.Besides, I adore the short stories by Roald Dahl. His stories are dark but there are humour in them too. They definitely pull the reader in as the plot is so exciting and it only makes the reader want to know, what happens next and fast! I was also introduced to some of Edgar Allan Poe's stories such as The Black Cat, William Wilson and The Fall of the House of Usher. It took a little extra effort to comprehend the different style of English writing of the stories. They were harder to understand and I encountered words I didn't know so Poe's stories weren't as scary as they should be. I only got the chills when I read the synopsis in modern English on Wikipedia.
As for full-length novels, I have been reading them since I began to love reading. I will never shun novels because why should I stop reading them? I read different genres and novels are among them. I love novels. They teach me a lot of life lessons and about people. Novels are just as educational as short stories. :)
How about you?
I have found a lot of good short stories online. I like to explore different genres. However, I like full length novels too.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on my mood, what I want to read.
BTT: long and short of it
Poe is one of my favorite authors, and I always wish he'd written more full-length works. Chuah Guat Eng is a new name to me - I'll have to see if any of her works are available in the US.
ReplyDeleteHere's my long and short of it.
I have found that for me Novels are the way to go, since for me, personally, that short stories are just way too short! I want to read a story I can really delve into!!! But then there have been some short stories that I have enjoyed!!! So really, its all on my mood!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm yet to try Roald Dahl's short stories but I believe they are all AWESOME! :) Will definitely get there when I'm done with all 15 books!
ReplyDeleteI love both novels and short stories, too.
ReplyDeletegautami: :) It depends on my mood too. Yeah, it's good that we can find short stories online!
ReplyDeletejlshall: She's a Malaysian writer. :)
Lover of Romance: Haha! I'll go for short stories when I don't have the mood for longer ones.
Ruz: Yes, they are!!! Read them quick. :)
mervih: Hey same here! *high five* :)