[jbcohen]

Do you ever place a limit on the number of pages in your fantasy novels? Is there an optimum number of pages in a novel? At what point does the number of pages become too high?

I don't put any size restriction on any of the books that I read. The more pages the merrier.

[ookey]

I agree, the more pages, the more likely I'll read it. I figure the longer it is, the more enjoyment to be had through a more twisting, surprising plot, getting to know the characterers better and so forth.
Some of my friends do put restrictions on how long of novels they read, but I think that's because they read slower and generally don't enjoy reading as much as I do. I don't understand it myself.

[Penumbra]

Publishers can restrict a novel's length. An author is obligated to whatever exposition the story requires, otherwise it is useless to write in the first place. I can't see Tolkien forfeiting the last chapter of LOTR under any circumstances. I don't think we should ever be constricted by such a consideration.

[Bardos]

Penumbra, man, you're 100% right!!
Indeed, the writer knows better --whatever they say! ]:P

[Lamanai]

I figure the longer it is, the more enjoyment to be had through a more twisting, surprising plot, getting to know the characterers better and so forth.


Read a few Richard Adams books, and you'll change your mind on that one. "Maia" comes to mind. The book was certainly long enough, but nothing happened throughout the entire novel. Long books are great as long as there is enough story and characterization to warrant a long book. Sometimes, though, they're just long because the author can't find his point...

[saintjon]

I read'em all. I got thinking for awhile there that a book had to be at least 400 pages to be good, but learned that's not always the case.
Case in point, James Clavell.
His books are usually crazy long and wonderfully good but last fall I read King Rat. It wasn't nearly as long as the typical Clavell but was just as rewarding and enjoyable as his other books. Man, I directed and acted in a 40 minute play that an auditorium full of people crying. A story doesn't have to be long to be good. It all depends on the telling.

[jbcohen]

Goodkind is another one of the people that tends to make his novels real door stoppers, his can be 700 to 800 pages. If you found an interesting book 2,000 pages in length would that be too much? How much is too much?

[Lamanai]

If you found an interesting book 2,000 pages in length would that be too much? How much is too much?


If there's really enough content to fill a 2,000 page book, I'd gladly read it. What's the difference between one 2,000 page book and a series of 3 700 pagers? The only relavent difference that I see is that I'm only paying for one book instead of 3...

Too much is when the author starts rambling to fill extra pages. As long as there's enough content, I see no reason to put a limit on it.

[Alucard]

Can't say I mind a books length...if, and only if, it's good. As long as I have a lot to like in the story, and the pages I'm reading aren't just mindless fillers, I love a good long book. But, if the story isn't a good one, or I feel that an author is stretching things out for no significant reason, then i usually won't finish. If I'm say, two hundred pages into a book and not at all interested, and there's still some seven hundred pages to go, I'll more than likely put it down and move on.

[Keyoke]

Depends on the book. I've read many books that should have a extra 200 pages (Dave Duncan's The Cursed), and some books that need to be cut down because I found them waaaaaaay to long (Robert Jordan)..

But, if I had to choose, I think I like my books to be about 500 or so pages. I find that if the book is to long, it takes me longer to read, and I begin to stray from it, looking at other books. Of course, with truly fabolous books.. Say, Robin Hobb, hell, they could be a 1000+ pages.. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Keyoke