Well, many best selling short novels are highly relatable. 'Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, for instance, captures the angst of adolescence in a way that many readers can identify with. They often have a sense of urgency in their storytelling. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe builds tension rapidly. And they may have a unique perspective or message. 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut has a very distinct anti - war message that stands out and has contributed to its popularity.
One characteristic is a strong and engaging plot. Since they are short, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the unexpected and disturbing plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Another characteristic is vivid characters. In 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor, the characters are complex and memorable. Also, they often deal with universal themes like love, death, and power in a concise way.
Best selling short novels usually have a unique writing style. Take 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. His stream - of - consciousness style makes the story very engaging. They also tend to be very accessible. 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is easy to read yet full of deep meaning. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short span. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman makes readers feel the protagonist's despair and madness very intensely.
Well, for a novel to be best - selling in 1986, it often had to have a really engaging plot. For example, in horror novels like 'It', the plot was full of suspense and scares that kept readers on the edge of their seats.
Compelling characters. Readers love to follow interesting and well - developed characters that they can relate to or be intrigued by.
Well, one characteristic is engaging storylines. These novels often have plots that are full of twists and turns, which keep readers hooked from start to finish. For example, 'The Da Vinci Code' had a complex and mysterious plot that involved art, history, and conspiracy, which made it a best seller. Another characteristic is relatable characters. Readers can see themselves or people they know in the characters of best selling novels, like in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' where Scout is a very relatable character growing up in a challenging world. Also, effective marketing plays a role. Publishers promote these novels widely, getting them into the hands of more readers.
Many of the 2001 best - selling novels had strong character - driven plots. For example, in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', the characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron are complex and their relationships are key to the story. Their growth and how they face challenges together make the plot engaging.
Many 1977 best selling novels might have had complex characters. For example, in horror novels like 'The Shining', the main character Jack Torrance has a complex personality with his own inner demons that drive the plot.
The 2023 best selling novels often have engaging plots. Take 'Demon Copperhead' for instance. It takes a classic story and gives it a modern, regional twist that keeps readers hooked. Another characteristic is their ability to connect with a wide range of readers. 'Carrie Soto Is Back' can appeal to sports fans as well as those interested in character - driven stories about self - discovery.
Some, like 'Demon Copperhead', have a strong sense of place. It vividly portrays the Appalachian region and the hardships faced by its people. Also, a lot of these best - selling novels in 2023 have complex characters that readers can either relate to or be intrigued by. They are not one - dimensional but have multiple layers to their personalities.
Many of the 2022 best selling novels had strong character development. For example, in 'Where the Crawdads Sing', Kya's character is so vividly portrayed that readers can't help but be drawn into her world.
A lot of them also tackled important social issues. In 'An American Marriage', it was about the problems in the justice system and how it affects African - American families. They used stories to make people more aware of these real - world problems.
Often, they have unique cultural elements. For example, in many Japanese novels, there are detailed descriptions of Japanese traditions, like tea ceremonies or cherry blossom viewing. This gives international readers a peek into Japanese culture.