November has been all about novellas on PoppyPeacockpens blog and also on Twitter. Poppy has had lots of writers and bloggers choosing their favourite novellas over the last couple of weeks. There have been some fantastic books highlighted already – and I was delighted to take part with my choices being posted on Tuesday.
In case you’ve missed it Poppy is hosting a fantastic novella giveaway in conjunction with Peirene Press who publish, quality, European short novels/novellas all under 200 pages. Click on #NovellaNov and leave a comment to take part.
I chose six novellas but I could easily have chosen lots more, I realised when I stopped to think about it how much I love novellas, they after all rather perfect for those of us with mountains of unread books. I chose novellas by writers Vita Sackville West, Truman Capote and Julia Strachey among others. Stories which for me are perfect – maybe because of their slight size, no word is wasted in these books. Sometimes big fat novels – as wonderful as they often are – can feel like a bit of a commitment.
So I kept my list to six for Poppy’s blog – but there were some that got away, that I could have picked but didn’t quite make the final cut.
So four more highly recommended novellas for you as novella November draws to a close:
1 Up at the Villa – W. Somerset Maugham – the story of what happens when a young woman offers a lift to a stranger in the hills above Florence. It is quite a long time since I read it, but I remember it as being really quite unputdownable.
2 On Chesil Beach – Ian McEwan – a simply perfect little novella, beautiful and rather heart-breaking, it is actually a masterpiece.
3 A Long way from Verona – Jane Gardam – the only Gardam I have read so far shockingly, I remember really enjoying this book originally written for children, but I confess I can’t remember it as well as I would like to. I do remember the central character Jessica who I rather warmed to – she had been told that she was ‘beyond all possible doubt’, a born writer.”
4 Bonjour Tristesse – Françoise Sagan – is the famous story of a young girl, her father and his mistress at a villa in the South of France. One of those books I really should find time to re-read – I remember it as being so beautifully and evocatively written.
I hope you’ve all been following #NovellaNovember – and if not maybe you’ll take a look at it now. I have naturally added a few things to my ever growing wish list.
I’ve been doing non-fiction november, and missed novellanovember. These picks sound great though, and they are going on my TBR list. Especially the Maugham, I love his short stories and have been meaning to graduate to his longer books for years.
I managed just one book for non fiction November. A book of essays called Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay.
You’re right about novellas – I keep picking them up to try and clear the TBR more quickly! Plus I worry about committing to a huge book when I have so much to read. Some nice extra titles there – I read the Maugham pre-blog and liked it a lot, which reminds me that I have several of his books somewhere. Maybe December will be a time to get them out!
I haven’t read enough Maugham. Too many books and all that 😊
A lovely selection, Ali, including many of my favourites too – and I also have two copies of The Heir! It makes me think that I would surely love the ones I’ve not read, including Passing.
Oh Passing is wonderful with a brilliantly unexpected conclusion.
I read On Chesil Beach a few years ago, and thought it was a lot better than a couple of his books that I have read. Sad, though. I wanted to fix everything for them!
It is sad isn’t it. I think the reader knows how things are likely to turn out for that young couple right from the start though.
True, but it didn’t stop me from hoping it would turn out differently. 🙂
Of course, the fact you read “Bonjour Tristesse” is a pleasure for me. Sagan is somtimes underrated now in France, after having been overpraised. She is unequal but she has a light and brittle, fragile, style and delicacy of feelings that are quite unique. I like “Up at the Villa” as well. Generally, speaking novellas ad I do agree with each others. I like your choice very much. Time to re-read some old favourites… 🙂
Some lovely potential re-reading there.
I’ve never heard of any of these, but they all seem fantastic! I’ll have to add these to my to-read list. Thank you for sharing!
Hope you enjoy them.
Awww… thanks for the mention Ali – love your further 4 choices -really want to squeeze Bonjour Tristesse in this weekend
And thank you for taking part too☺
That would be a fantastic weekend read – enjoy.
I’ve been loving Novella November! I’ve picked my choices for Poppy tomorrow and Bonjour Tristesse is one of them! Some really interesting choices here Ali!
I look forward to reading your choices Cathy. Bonjour Tristesse is a real modern classic.
Oh – I’ve accidentally done a bit of NonFictionNovember, go me!! I love Jane Gardam, a favourite of many years’ standing!
I do really want to read more Jane Gardam, though heaven knows when.
The Jane Gardam is excellent and one of the early “teen” novels. “Bilgewater” is probably her best “teen” novel. I used them both a lot when doing reading promotion work in Hertfordshire schools in the 80s.
Thanks for the recommendation 😊
Bonjour Tristesse. I remember loving that when I was younger. Mayhap a re-read, though my copy is long vanished