Do you regularly read short stories, and if so, what in particular do you like about the genre?
Created: 11/04/19
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I do read short stories and enjoy them. I often seek out short stories by particular authors whom I like. One of my friends uses the derogatory definition of "bathroom reading." I disagree with her on this one although we often like the same books. Writing the short story is definitely an art. Without the expansiveness of the novel, the author must, much like a poet, pack meaning and details into the story. At the same time, the author must balance the details so that readers have enough but not an overwhelming amount of detail. Short stories give readers brief encounters that are still fulfilling.
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I admire short story writers because I think it takes a LOT of skill to pull off the genre successfully, I'm not really a fan. I tend to like longer, more connected stories and find short stories frustrating. It's hard enough leaving a character you love after several hours, but it's challenging to form an attachment to a character over the space of a few minutes, and if one does, there's always this "what happens next???" feeling.
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I do not read short stories very often. Having read Berlin's I have come to appreciate this art form. It requires a lot of talent to tell a story completely in so few pages. I still prefer novels in which I become immersed in the characters and thje plot
Join Date: 02/14/18
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I used to enjoy teaching short stories like those of Kate Chopin, O Henry, etc., but I have never chosen to read them on my own. Like kimk, I often find them frustrating and less satisfying than a novel. I do appreciate the skill that is involved in writing a good one.
Join Date: 11/30/19
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I have read and really enjoyed only a few collections: Redeployment by Phil Klay, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hillary Mantell, Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood andBerlin's A Manual for Cleaning Women. I sometimes read a story or two from other books and give up, because the writing does not resonate with me.
Join Date: 04/16/19
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I do not regularly read short stories but the ones that I have read where ones that consisted of several authors. I enjoy several authors writing on the same topic, which brings about a bit of a competition of who wrote the best story.
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I do enjoy reading short stories, particularly when I have a very busy week (or month) without much time for reading as I can usually complete one without losing the thread of the story. Same goes for when I’m traveling.
Join Date: 04/20/17
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No, I do not regularly read short stories. I found most short stories did not thoroughly develop the characters for me to understand their role, background, or relationship to the story. If this was accomplished, then the story was lacking in some way, generally by providing an incomplete ending. This book showed how the short story should be written.
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