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Have you ever noticed how the classics are always humongous tomes, with 1000 or more pages, whereas modern books rarely exceed 500? Perhaps the latter is just the types of books I've read, but I'm often left wondering: Why? Did those long-dead authors feel compelled to pour their heart and soul into pounding on a typewriter all day long, have modern writers grown lazy with the invention of computers and laptops? What do you think?

I think the past a book was a real source of information and the writer wnated to say more and to share more. Now a book is not the main source of getting news, that's why they are so short.

Well, its because even the readers like short and simple stories that's why most of us go for the abridged versions of the classics. If the same story that was told in 1000 some pages can be told in 500 pages so what's bad in it? Also, it saves time and today's stories are way easier to comprehend than the Shakepeare time. So, I guess the authors today have just become reader's centered, also less work for them. Its a win-win situation :p

I think the reason is that a lot (if not all of the Classics) were written & first published in weekly or monthly installments rather like the episodes of the soaps in todays TV.

Also, people nowadays dont have as much patience to commit to a 1000+ pages book. In this modern hectic society, 500 pages is more then enough. I have no problem reading a lengthy classic, you just have to accept that you will be reading it a long time.

StephenKingman wrote:Also, people nowadays dont have as much patience to commit to a 1000+ pages book. In this modern hectic society, 500 pages is more then enough. I have no problem reading a lengthy classic, you just have to accept that you will be reading it a long time.

My thoughts exactly. It seems like many modern readers have short attention spans (my dad is a walking example of this) and lengthy novels tend to discourage them from reading those choices. Even my husband who is an avid reader tends to choose those books that he can devour in less than a week.

Mairin wrote:

StephenKingman wrote:Also, people nowadays dont have as much patience to commit to a 1000+ pages book. In this modern hectic society, 500 pages is more then enough. I have no problem reading a lengthy classic, you just have to accept that you will be reading it a long time.

My thoughts exactly. It seems like many modern readers have short attention spans (my dad is a walking example of this) and lengthy novels tend to discourage them from reading those choices. Even my husband who is an avid reader tends to choose those books that he can devour in less than a week.

I agree too.. People used to have a lot of spare time back in the days that they could devote to reading. However, today when there are so many other activities to do, people tend to stick to short and easy-to-read books! So, writers have understood this thing and they have well-adapted that way.