About this book
Some Anomalies of the Short Story by William Dean Howells probes the curious paradox of a form adored in single instances yet often dismissed in collections. Howells—an influential 19th-century novelist and critic—turns his eye to the short story’s strange fortunes, asking why tales that shine alone thrive in magazines but frequently falter as books.
A lucid piece of essay/short nonfiction and literary criticism, the essay blends keen observation, wry humor, and cultural context to explore narrative economy, editorial tastes, and the reading habits of the period. Howells frames his questions against the burgeoning American literary marketplace, serialization practices, and the rise of realism, suggesting that the short story’s vitality resists simple codification. Rather than offer definitive solutions, he teases out problems, illuminates tensions between art and audience, and invites readers to rethink what makes a compact work of fiction succeed.
Listeners will appreciate Howells’s clear prose and thoughtful skepticism. Perfect for students of literature, writers and editors curious about craft and publication, and anyone who loves short fiction, this audiobook offers historical perspective and enduring insight into how and why short stories matter.
