Under 250 pages, 32 captivating short classics.
Short classics under 250 pages
Did you know that Antoine de Saint-great Exupéry's classic book "The Little Prince" is merely 90 pages? You'll never read a shorter classic than this one.
It's fascinating how frequently we imagine old literature to have tediously long pages—possibly at least 1000 pages, if not more. This is likely the main reason why people are reluctant to begin reading classics in the first place. You'll be happy to learn that many classics are quite simple to read.
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I picked up the condensed edition of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck a few years back to read it more quickly. I was unaware that he was the author of short works of literature like "The Pearl" and "Of Mice and Men" at the time. These short classic books are all under 100 pages long.
The greatest place to start reading classic short novels is if you haven't done it already. Reading short classic novels is fantastic because they don't require a longer attention span. As a result, you won't be overloaded with pages.
You can locate classics that are simple to read in the list that I have compiled below. These are must-read classics for beginners because they are under 250 pages in length. They are traditional short novels, so you don't have to read them in one sitting.
Some of these small, simple classics are so quick to read that I'm positive you'll finish them in a few hours! Everyone should read these brief great novels at least once in their lives, without a doubt.
So let's pour ourselves a cup of coffee (or tea) and dive into these amazing little classic novels, all of which are 250 pages or fewer!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ( 218 pages)
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
This classic Jazz Age book has won the praise of readers for centuries since it was first released in 1925. A masterfully created account of 1920s America, The Great Gatsby tells the tale of the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby, his love for the stunning Daisy Buchanan, and opulent parties on Long Island during a time when "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession." You should include The Great Gatsby, a well recognized short classic novel, to your list of must-read classics.
Animal Farm by George Orwell (141 pages)
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” ― George Orwell, Animal Farm
Manor Farm's Mr. Jones is so inebriated and slothful that one day he forgets to feed his animals. The animals take control of the farm as a result of the subsequent insurrection, which is led by the piglets Napoleon and Snowball. The renamed Animal Farm is set up for the benefit of all creatures with four legs, and it makes a vow to end the awful injustices of the farmyard. However, as time goes on, the rebel's principles become perverted, and finally they are forgotten. And something fresh and unanticipated appears. George Orwell's satirical novella addresses the topics of power and corruption in this collection of short classics to read. This classic short story is full of pointed criticism of the Russian Revolution-related events.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck (96 pages)
“For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.”― John Steinbeck, The Pearl.
The Pearl is a classic tale of simplicity that is based on a folktale from Mexico. It examines the deepest corners of evil, the secrets of man's nature, and the brilliant possibilities of love. Beginners will find this well-written novella to be an enjoyable classic.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (127 pages)
“Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.”― Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea
The harrowing tale of a Cuban fisherman in the Gulf Stream and the enormous marlin he kills and loses is beautifully told in this short book, which is already regarded as a modern classic. This book is specifically mentioned in the citation that accompanied the author's 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature. The famous book by Hemingway is a tale of tenacity and fortitude. This brief classic book can be read in a few of hours. I heartily endorse this well-known, brief work for new readers.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (110 pages)
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Christmas is just another day in Ebenezer Scrooge's gloomy, frugal life. All of that, however, changes when Scrooge's long-dead business partner's ghost comes and implores him to alter his ways before it's too late. This book, which is a part of the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, includes an extensive introduction and discussion prompts by Joe Wheeler to help the reader comprehend the story better. Like no other book, "A Christmas Carol" perfectly captures the spirit of the season. This brief classic by Dickens is a simple story about charity and goodwill.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (187 pages)
“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”― John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men
Two outsiders struggling to fit in in a harsh world is the subject of this gripping narrative. The only things George and his simple-minded companion Lennie have in the world are each other and a hope—a fantasy that one day they would possess some land of their own. They are wanderers looking for work. They eventually land a job at a ranch in the Salinas Valley of California, but their expectations are dashed when Lennie, who has been up against severe harshness, misunderstanding, and jealousy, falls victim to his own power. Although the language in the classic novel Of Mice and Men is simple to read, the narrative's emotions are strong. Dreams and loneliness are major elements in this terrible short story.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (152 pages)
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.” ― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
Generations of readers, authors, and thinkers have been pleased, motivated, and affected by Herman Hesse's famous book. Hesse synthesizes various philosophical perspectives—including Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, and Western individualism—into a singular vision of life as expressed through one man's search for true meaning in this tale of a wealthy Indian Brahmin who rejects a life of privilege in order to pursue spiritual fulfillment. This timeless little book describes a young man's amazing, spiritually enlightening trip.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote (179 pages)
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.”― Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Three Stories
The 1940s in New York. Holly Golightly is at ease and secure in Tiffany's, a pricey jewelry store. Every night is party night at her place. Men move in and out. Holly, though, is looking for her place in the universe. Can she find happiness with one of these men? One of the best books for beginners is Breakfast at Tiffany's. The subjects of friendship and love are covered in this brief novella.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (102 pages)
“I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.”― Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis
The next short classic novel on the list is a novella by Franz Kafka, often regarded as the author's best-known work. Kafka begins his masterwork, The Metamorphosis, with its shocking, weird, yet pleasantly humorous initial opening. It tells the tale of a young guy who, after transforming into a big insect-like beetle over night, finds himself an outcast in his own house and a man who embodies alienation. The Metamorphosis has established itself as one of the most popular and significant pieces of fiction from the 20th century. It is a harrowing—yet outrageously comic—meditation on the feelings of inadequacy, shame, and solitude that plague human beings.
Night by Elie Wiesel (115 pages)
“Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere.”― Elie Wiesel, Night
"Night" is a horrifying story of the atrocities committed in Nazi concentration camps, turning a young Jewish boy into an agonizing witness to the deaths of his family, his innocence, and his God. "Night" awakens the horrifying memory of evil at its height and conveys the memorable message that this atrocity must never be permitted to happen again in a way that is as persistent and potent as "The Diary Of Anne Frank." The Holocaust survivor's narrative in this brief classic book of under 250 pages is extraordinarily powerful.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (214 pages)
“A pretty sight, a lady with a book.”― Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Mary Katherine Blackwood is my name. I'm 18 years old, and my sister Constance is my roommate. Because the middle fingers on both of my hands are the same length, I've often entertained the possibility that I might have been born a werewolf, but I've had to make due with what I had. Dogs, loudness, and washing are things I detest. I enjoy Richard Plantagenet, the death-cap mushroom Amanita phalloides, and my sister Constance. The rest of my family is all deceased. The stirring short book by Shirley Jackson is an accessible classic for new readers that you can finish in one sitting.
Letters From A Father To His Daughter- Jawaharlal Nehru (154 pages)
When Indira Gandhi was ten years old, her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in Allahabad for the summer, thus Indira spent the season in Mussoorie. Nehru wrote her a number of letters throughout the course of the summer in which he detailed the creation of the earth, the origins of human and animal life, and the development of civilizations and cultures around the globe. This short, easy-to-read classic book covers a lot of topics, such as nature, humanity, and religion. Written in 1928, these letters remain fresh and vibrant and capture Nehru's love for people and for nature, whose story was, for him, "more interesting than any other story or novel that you may have read."
Sula by Toni Morrison (192 pages)
“Like any artist without an art form, she became dangerous.”― Toni Morrison, Sula
Nel Wright made the decision to remain in her hometown, get married, start a family, and establish herself as a leader in the black community. Sula Peace has turned away from the lifestyle Nel has chosen, enrolling in college and assimilating into city life. She reverts to her former seductive and rebellious selves when she does so. Both women eventually have to live with the results of their decisions. Together, they provide an indelible picture of what it is like to be a black woman in America and how expensive it is. One of those novels that you find yourself returning to is Toni Morrison's great short novel. Metaphors and allegories abound in this lovely tale of friendship.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (209 pages)
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” ― Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart
The straightforward tale of a "strong man" whose life is controlled by dread and rage is titled Things Fall Apart. Both great economy and subtle irony are used in the writing. At the same time, it demonstrates Achebe's acute knowledge of the human qualities shared by all men throughout history. Despite being a short classic book, Things Fall Apart explains a lot more.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (96 pages)
The Little Prince, a moral allegory and spiritual autobiography, is the French language work that has been translated the most. It relates the tale of a young boy who leaves his small planet's security to travel the universe and discovers the whims of adult behavior through a series of unusual encounters. His journey to Earth and subsequent exploits are the culmination of his personal story. The Little Prince is a brief, simple-to-read classic book that teaches you how to discover the true purpose of life in general.
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (224 pages)
“She had the perpetual sense, as she watched the taxi cabs, of being out, out, far out to sea and alone; she always had the feeling that it was very, very, dangerous to live even one day.”― Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway
The best of Virginia Woolf's writings is regarded as being her gripping novel. Another brief classic to be added to the list of must-read classics. This is a vivid depiction of a single day in a woman's life and is hailed as Virginia Woolf's best book. Mrs. Clarissa Dalloway is consumed with the last-minute intricacies of party planning when we first meet her, despite the fact that she believes she is much more than a model society hostess. She is overcome with memories of bygone eras as she prepares her home. And when presented with the present circumstances, Clarissa reevaluates the decisions she made to get there and reluctantly considers the unsettling work of becoming older.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Ivan Denisovich ( 234 pages)
“The belly is an ungrateful wretch, it never remembers past favors, it always wants more tomorrow.”― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovic
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, which was first published in the Soviet publication Novy Mir in 1962, is regarded as a classic of modern literature. Ivan Denisovich Shukhov's tale, a prisoner in a labor camp, vividly depicts his battle to uphold his dignity in the face of communist brutality. This brief book tells the spooky tale of a young man.
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore ( 160 pages)
“I’ve accrued a kind of patience, I believe, loosely like change.”― Lorrie Moore, Who Will Run The Frog Hospital?
Berie and her best friend Sils worked at Storyland in upstate New York during the summer Berie turned fifteen. Berie sold tickets to see the stunning Sils perform Cinderella in a strapless ballgown. They spoke, laughed, and smoked throughout their breaks. Following their own irrational rules, they made the most of small-town life after work by sleeping in the family station wagon and sipping borrowed alcohol from used mayonnaise jars. However, no matter how wacky, they always manage to avoid any serious danger—until the devoted Berie realizes that Sils actually needs her assistance, at which point everything changes. This classic coming-of-age book is simple to read.
Speedboat by Renata Adler (192 pages)
“I think when you are truly stuck, when you have stood still in the same spot for too long, you throw a grenade in exactly the spot you were standing in, and jump, and pray. It is the momentum of last resort.”― Renata Adler, Speedboat
This story of a young female newspaper reporter growing up in New York City was originally published serially in the New Yorker; it is made out of seemingly unrelated vignettes—tart observations distilled through the relentless intellect—which add up to an analysis of our brittle, urban existence. When members of the National Book Critics Circle were asked which book they would most like to see republished, they chose Speedboat—"by far." It's still as current as when it was initially published. The classic brief novel by Renata Adler is written in an original manner. Many of the stories in Speedboat will break your heart for a while.
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger (201 pages)
I’m sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet somebody I could respect.”― J.D. Salinger,Franny and Zooey
The short story Franny is set in an unidentified college town and follows a college student who is growing weary of the selfishness and fakery she sees all around her. The second-youngest member of the Glass family and the subject of the novella Zooey is named after her. In response to his mother, Bessie, being deeply concerned while his younger sister, Franny, experiences a spiritual and existential collapse in their Manhattan living room, Zooey steps in to help, professing what he believes to be brotherly love, understanding, and wise words. With only roughly 200 pages, Franny and Zooey is a compact masterpiece. Nevertheless, J.D. Salinger has incorporated themes of intellectualism, family, and religion into the book.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (176 pages)
“There are always two deaths, the real one and the one people know about.”― Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea
Wide Sargasso Sea, a work of modern literature, marked Jean Rhys's comeback to the literary spotlight. She was well renowned for her outstanding prose, haunting female characters, and astonishing early career. She deftly illuminates one of fiction's most fascinating characters in Wide Sargasso Sea, her final and best-selling book: the madwoman in Jane Eyre's attic. Antoinette Cosway, a voluptuous and shielded young woman who is sold into marriage to the arrogant Mr. Rochester, is introduced to us in this captivating piece. Cosway is portrayed by Rhys in a setting where the level of sexual inequality and racial hatred is so extreme that it practically drives a woman insane. The topics of identity, marriage, and relationships are all explored in this gritty novella.
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan (154 pages)
“It amused me to think that one can tell the truth when one is drunk and nobody will believe it.”― Françoise Sagan, Bonjour tristesse
The Beautiful People reside on the French Riviera. And none are more lovely than Cécile, a bright-eyed seventeen-year-old, and her vivacious libertine father, Raymond. The golden-skinned couple are committed to a life of free love, fast automobiles, and hedonistic pleasures. They are attractive, decadent, and irresponsible. But when Raymond finally makes the decision to be married one long, hot summer, Cécile and her partner Cyril feel obligated to interfere in his love affairs, which has tragic results. When she was eighteen years old, Françoise Sagan penned this book. In a descriptive narrative format, this short classic book examines the issues of love and envy.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (192 pages)
“You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.”― Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
When Charlie Bucket discovers one of Mr. Willy Wonka's priceless Golden Tickets, he wins a full day inside the enigmatic chocolate factory and the fantastic journey starts. He has no idea what surprises are in store for him. From this timeless book, Willy Wonka is adored by all. So, if you haven't already, read this classic book right now. It's simple to read.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (56 pages)
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.”― Beatrix Potter
In the original version, Peter and his sisters are instructed to go harvest blackberries rather than enter MacGregor's garden because MacGregor turned Peter's father into a pie after discovering him there. In his brand-new coat, Peter immediately disobeys his mother, stuffs himself on veggies, is seen by MacGregor, loses his coat, and just about escapes the garden alive. Peter is served chamomile tea for dinner when he comes home. Peter's sisters ate a typical meal after following their mother's advice and avoiding the forbidden garden. You should include this classic short novel on your list of the best classics to read because it is an easy read.
Matilda by Roald Dahl (232 pages)
“So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.”― Roald Dahl, Matilda
A young girl named Matilda is just too good to be true. At the age of five and a half, she can quickly read Dickens and do arithmetic problems involving double digits. Even more astonishingly, her students love her even though she’s a super-nerd and the teacher’s darling. But in Matilda's world, not everything is ideal. She has two of the most ignorant, selfish parents who have ever lived, to begin with. Then there's Miss ("The") Trunchbull, a big, crowded nightmare of a principal who flings kids around at random and has about as much compassion as a bulldozer. Miss Trunchbull was formerly the world's best hammer thrower. Luckily for Matilda, she possesses the inner strength to handle such annoyances: astounding intelligence, saintly patience, and an instinct for retaliation. A young girl who likes to read is the subject of the entertaining and simple story Matilda. Just under 250 pages make up this classic work, making it a simple classic to read.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting ( 180 pages)
“Money,” he said, “is a terrible nuisance. But it’s nice not to have to worry.”― Hugh Lofting, The Story of Doctor Dolittle
John Dolittle, the doctor, adores animals. His home and office are crowded with animals of all kinds since he loves them so much. Doctor Dolittle, who travels as far as Africa to assist his friends, becomes a famous doctor after Polynesia the parrot teaches him the animal language. The renowned children's classic has been adapted for contemporary readers by award-winning authors Patricia and Fredrick McKissack and features black-and-white artwork by Michael Hague. For both adults and children, this little classic adventure story is a must-read.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez (122 pages)
“He always considered death an unavoidable professional hazard.”― Gabriel García Márquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold
In an effort to unravel the mystery behind a puzzling murder that occurred in the same village 27 years prior, a guy decides to go back there. Everyone is in agreement that Bayardo San Roman returned his bride in disgrace to her parents just hours after he wed the stunning Angela Vicario. In addition to her twin brothers announcing their intention to kill Santiago Nasar for dishonoring their sister, her distressed family pushed her to reveal the identity of her first lover. But if everyone was aware that the murder would occur, why didn't anyone try to put a stop to it? As the story rushes to its puzzling end, an entire society—not just a pair of murderers—is put on trial. The more that is discovered, the less is understood. The famous book by Colombian author Gabriel Garca Márquez is a gripping short story that deals with a young aristocrat's passing. You won't be able to put the book down because of Garca's inventive storytelling. The ideal simple classic for new readers.
Lord of The Flies by William Golding(224 pages)
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.”― William Golding, Lord of the Flies
A plane crash on an undiscovered island at the start of the next global war leaves a group of schoolchildren stranded. The lads' initial freedom under no adult supervision is cause for celebration; this far from society, they are free to do anything they like. Anything. In the face of terror, sin, and evil, they make an effort to create their own civilization but fail. The dream of adventure appears to be as remote from reality as the hope of being saved as order crumbles, unearthly screams resound in the night, and horror begins to rule. Lord of the Flies is yet another simple-to-read classic short novel to add to the list of must-read classic literature. It has been called a fable, an allegory, a myth, a morality story, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse.
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson ( 236 pages)
It’s no disgrace to be black, but it’s often very inconvenient.”― James Weldon Johnson, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, the first fictitious memoir ever written by a black person, inspired a generation of writers during the Harlem Renaissance, including Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, and Richard Wright. It has also given white readers a shockingly fresh viewpoint on their own culture ever since the 1920s, exposing to many the unfair racial identity expectations placed on black Americans. This brief classic is a good choice for new readers because it is a fictional autobiography. The life narrative of a black guy in the early 1900s is chronicled in the book.
O, Pioneers! by Willa Cather (142 pages)
“There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before.”― Willa Cather, O Pioneers!
Ah, Pioneers! Willa Cather's debut masterwork, (1913), is still widely regarded as her best work. No other piece of literature captures the stark physical reality and the legendary scope of the American frontier's metamorphosis—and the transformation of the people who inhabited it—more accurately. Alexandra Bergson, Cather's heroine, is a young girl who moves to the wind-blasted plains of Hanover, Nebraska, and later raises a successful farm there. However, sorrow has cast a shadow over this classic success tale, and Alexandra's steadfast devotion to the land might even cost her the ability to love. O Pioneers is a brief classic that tells the moving tale of the connection between people and the land.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (122 pages)
“No, no—there are depths, depths! The more I go over it, the more I see in it, and the more I see in it, the more I fear. I don’t know what I don’t see—what I don’t fear!”- Henry James, The Turn of the Screw
A very young woman's first position was as a governess for Miles and Flora on a desolate estate. The children were unusually lovely, oddly remote, and oddly silent. a home beset by a menacing evil. Silent, evil phantoms that gleam from dusty windows and black towers approach day by day and night, getting closer and closer. The hapless governess understands with increasing dread that the evil beings desire the kids in order to corrupt their bodies, seize control of their minds, and steal their souls. But even worse—much worse—the governess finds that neither Miles nor Flora fear the darkness that lurks. A quick, one-sitting read of a short Gothic novel, they desire the living dead as much as the dead desire them.
The Stranger by Albert Camus(123 pages)
“I may not have been sure about what really did interest me, but I was absolutely sure about what didn’t.”― Albert Camus, The Stranger
Matthew Ward's new translation of a book first published in English in 1946.This short classic novel delivers a powerful message about human life.Camus explored what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd" through the story of an everyday man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach.
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