The word 'saga' is also a valid answer. Sagas are long, involved stories, often about a family or a community over a long period of time. They can include many sub - plots and detailed descriptions of events and relationships. For example, the Icelandic sagas are well - known for their long - winded and complex narratives.
Well, 'narrative' could also be the answer. A narrative is a story, and it can be long and rambling. It can include various elements like characters, plot, setting, and a sequence of events that might not be presented in a very straightforward manner. Think of a long - winded novel or a detailed historical account, which are types of narratives that could fit this crossword clue.
It could be 'yarn'. A yarn is often used to refer to a long, rambling, and perhaps even fictional story.
A 'tale' could be an answer. Tales can range in length from very short to relatively long. They are a form of short story, and if it's a more extended tale, it can be seen as a 'long short story' which would work for the crossword clue.
One possible answer is chronicles. Chronicles are detailed records or accounts of events over a period of time, which are usually presented in a long - form narrative, so they can be a good fit for the 'long stories' crossword clue.
Custom of the Country. It's a significant Wharton novel that examines the rise and fall of a young American woman in European society. Given its popularity among Wharton's works, it could be the answer for the crossword clue.
It could be a word like 'plot' or 'tale'. Those are common terms associated with narratives and stories in crosswords.
It could be 'novella'. A novella is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, which might fit this crossword clue.
Another option could be 'parable'. Parables are short stories that convey a religious or moral lesson. While they are generally short, some parables can be more elaborate and thus considered a 'long short story' in relation to the crossword clue. Parables are found in many religious and cultural traditions, like in the Bible for example, and their length and complexity can differ.
Perhaps 'epic'. An epic is a long narrative that often involves many characters, complex plots and sub - plots, and a wide range of events. It can be a story of heroic deeds, like 'The Iliad' or 'The Odyssey' which are classic examples of long, involved stories.
Novel. A novel is a long written story, which is a very common answer for a crossword clue like 'long story'.
Epics could also fit. Epics are long narrative poems or stories that often deal with heroic deeds and adventures, so they are a great match for the 'long stories' crossword clue. They usually have a complex plot and a large number of characters.