Rant: Are Books Too Long? - Page 2

NatCh · 10-10-2006, 11:27 PM

You know, back in the early 80's I read all 1006 pages of Battlefield Earth (which unlike the movie of the same name -- and that's about all it shares -- is actually good), and didn't find it too long at all.

On the other hand, I've read 90 page novellas that were, in my opinion, about 100 pages too long.

So I think I'd say that yes, books can be too long, but it's not really a function of how long they are, so much as how how good the story isn't.

Leaping Gnome · 10-10-2006, 11:33 PM

Battlefield Earth! On my top 10 list of favorite books.

rlauzon · 10-11-2006, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

You know, back in the early 80's I read all 1006 pages of Battlefield Earth (which unlike the movie of the same name -- and that's about all it shares -- is actually good), and didn't find it too long at all.

It depends on the quality and the satisfaction I get from the book.

I didn't find Battlefield Earth too long either, but it wasn't worth a re-read a year later. Too long for too little satisfaction.

I'm finding the same thing with the George R.R. Martin books. I read the first one - A Game of Thrones - and I enjoyed it, but it left me unsatisified at the end. So I'm having trouble getting enough motivation to start the second one. I know that once I start reading it, I'll enjoy it, but the idea that I'm going to spend alot of time reading it only to be unsatisfied at the end (according to what people who have finished it said), leaves me cold.

Leaping Gnome · 10-11-2006, 09:57 AM

I didn't make it through the second book rlauzon.

ultim8fury · 10-11-2006, 08:17 PM

Controversial view I know, but I felt that the lord of the rings was far too long. It should have ended 200 pages sooner and could have done with some substantial reductions earlier on in the series to pick up the pace. The constant re-iteration of the main characters drinking brackish water was totally unnecessary.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-16-2006, 11:11 PM

Don't feel bad... I gave up on The Hobbit.

Actually, it was just that fantasy did not turn out to be my cup of tea. But usually, I finish any book I start. Not that one.

rlauzon · 10-17-2006, 04:02 AM

I find it interesting that now that I've been reading more (usually free) eBooks that my tolerance for relatively bad books has dropped. If a book is not holding my attention, I am far more likely to drop it for another than if the book was a pBook.

Alexander Turcic · 10-17-2006, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlauzon

I find it interesting that now that I've been reading more (usually free) eBooks that my tolerance for relatively bad books has dropped. If a book is not holding my attention, I am far more likely to drop it for another than if the book was a pBook.

Exactly! There are way too many books out there, and our lives are too short to read the bad books.

yvanleterrible · 10-17-2006, 09:46 AM

There is no book too long, only boring ones. Remember that there is more than a story in a book. The writing itself can be phenomenal enough itself to keep one interested.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
iPad How long before books are sold DRM-free?	jibril	Apple Devices	11	05-15-2010 04:41 AM
A small rant about pdf books	charlieperry	News	37	10-15-2008 12:42 AM
Scanned books - a rant	FuzzyGamer	Sony Reader	31	04-01-2008 03:39 PM
The case for novellas versus long books	Alexander Turcic	Lounge	38	02-17-2008 06:56 PM
Howard Hendrix rant against cc free e-books	Liviu_5	News	3	04-14-2007 10:49 AM

10-10-2006, 11:27 PM	#16
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	You know, back in the early 80's I read all 1006 pages of Battlefield Earth (which unlike the movie of the same name -- and that's about all it shares -- is actually good), and didn't find it too long at all. On the other hand, I've read 90 page novellas that were, in my opinion, about 100 pages too long. So I think I'd say that yes, books can be too long, but it's not really a function of how long they are, so much as how how good the story isn't.

10-10-2006, 11:33 PM	#17
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Battlefield Earth! On my top 10 list of favorite books.

10-11-2006, 09:57 AM	#19
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	I didn't make it through the second book rlauzon.

10-11-2006, 08:17 PM	#20
ultim8fury Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 368 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Device: PRS500, Looking at 700	Controversial view I know, but I felt that the lord of the rings was far too long. It should have ended 200 pages sooner and could have done with some substantial reductions earlier on in the series to pick up the pace. The constant re-iteration of the main characters drinking brackish water was totally unnecessary.

10-16-2006, 11:11 PM	#21
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Don't feel bad... I gave up on The Hobbit. Actually, it was just that fantasy did not turn out to be my cup of tea. But usually, I finish any book I start. Not that one.

10-17-2006, 04:02 AM	#22
rlauzon Wizard Posts: 1,018 Karma: 67827 Join Date: Jan 2005 Device: PocketBook Era	I find it interesting that now that I've been reading more (usually free) eBooks that my tolerance for relatively bad books has dropped. If a book is not holding my attention, I am far more likely to drop it for another than if the book was a pBook.

10-17-2006, 09:46 AM	#24
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	There is no book too long, only boring ones. Remember that there is more than a story in a book. The writing itself can be phenomenal enough itself to keep one interested.

Advert

Advert