Book Anatomy: Ask the book now sits at the top of every book, with example questions · Ask any classic book about the craft that made it great · 50 tools · Updated 16 Oct 2026 · My list

Book Anatomy · All lenses

L3. Length against modern norms for the genre. Both

Commercial facts. One line per book. Open a book for the full answer, charts and cited lines.

BookGenreResult
Treasure IslandThriller and adventure68,669 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Thirty-Nine StepsThriller and adventure41,218 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Prisoner of ZendaThriller and adventure54,078 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Around the World in Eighty DaysThriller and adventure63,208 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
King Solomon's MinesThriller and adventure81,974 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Hound of the BaskervillesCrime and mystery59,487 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Study in ScarletCrime and mystery43,595 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesCrime and mystery105,143 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The MoonstoneCrime and mystery190,014 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Woman in WhiteCrime and mystery247,843 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Pride and PrejudiceRomance122,720 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
PersuasionRomance83,588 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
EmmaRomance160,886 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Jane EyreRomance187,566 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
DraculaGothic and horror161,966 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
FrankensteinGothic and horror75,165 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeGothic and horror25,685 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Picture of Dorian GrayGothic and horror79,299 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Wuthering HeightsGothic and horror117,006 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Turn of the ScrewGothic and horror39,992 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Time MachineScience fiction32,679 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The War of the WorldsScience fiction60,403 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Invisible ManScience fiction48,955 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandFantasy and children's26,665 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Wonderful Wizard of OzFantasy and children's39,341 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Secret GardenFantasy and children's81,188 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Wind in the WillowsFantasy and children's59,596 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Great ExpectationsLiterary186,445 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Christmas CarolLiterary28,711 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Great GatsbyLiterary48,617 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Heart of DarknessLiterary38,761 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
KidnappedThriller and adventure80,410 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Count of Monte CristoThriller and adventure466,070 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Three MusketeersThriller and adventure229,771 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Riddle of the SandsThriller and adventure109,278 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Scarlet PimpernelThriller and adventure85,378 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Lost WorldThriller and adventure76,506 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Captain BloodThriller and adventure113,999 words. Modern thriller and adventure often runs 80,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Lady Audley's SecretCrime and mystery151,091 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Murders in the Rue MorgueCrime and mystery13,885 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Innocence of Father BrownCrime and mystery79,546 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Big Bow MysteryCrime and mystery42,638 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Leavenworth CaseCrime and mystery111,107 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Red Thumb MarkCrime and mystery70,853 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Amateur CracksmanCrime and mystery52,529 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Secret AgentCrime and mystery91,008 words. Modern crime and mystery often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Sense and SensibilityRomance119,848 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
North and SouthRomance183,455 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Far from the Madding CrowdRomance138,266 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Enchanted AprilRomance79,083 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The SheikRomance88,318 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Daddy Long LegsRomance37,670 words. Modern romance often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
CarmillaGothic and horror27,925 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Castle of OtrantoGothic and horror34,867 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Phantom of the OperaGothic and horror83,400 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Great God PanGothic and horror21,758 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Yellow WallpaperGothic and horror6,173 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Call of CthulhuGothic and horror12,021 words. Modern gothic and horror often runs 70,000 to 90,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Island of Doctor MoreauScience fiction43,679 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Journey to the Centre of the EarthScience fiction85,996 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Princess of MarsScience fiction66,098 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
HerlandScience fiction53,326 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
FlatlandScience fiction29,645 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
ErewhonScience fiction82,256 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Last ManScience fiction169,311 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Through the Looking GlassFantasy and children's29,559 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Little PrincessFantasy and children's67,152 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Jungle BookFantasy and children's51,738 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Five Children and ItFantasy and children's53,499 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Railway ChildrenFantasy and children's60,017 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Princess and the GoblinFantasy and children's51,219 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Peter and WendyFantasy and children's47,331 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Worm OuroborosFantasy and children's170,881 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Anne of Green GablesFantasy and children's103,002 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Black BeautyFantasy and children's59,871 words. Modern fantasy and children's often runs 30,000 to 60,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
MiddlemarchLiterary320,023 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Tess of the d'UrbervillesLiterary151,045 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Mrs DallowayLiterary64,422 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
To the LighthouseLiterary69,611 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Anna KareninaLiterary351,659 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Crime and PunishmentLiterary204,405 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Madame BovaryLiterary116,834 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Age of InnocenceLiterary102,960 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Silas MarnerLiterary72,022 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Adventures of Huckleberry FinnLiterary112,677 words. Modern literary often runs 70,000 to 100,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
HamletPlays31,738 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
MacbethPlays17,992 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Romeo and JulietPlays25,710 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
OthelloPlays27,562 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Midsummer Night's DreamPlays17,150 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Twelfth NightPlays21,125 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Doctor FaustusPlays12,468 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The Importance of Being EarnestPlays20,591 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
A Doll's HousePlays26,786 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
Hedda GablerPlays27,073 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
PygmalionPlays32,299 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is long for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
The School for ScandalPlays28,583 words. Modern plays often runs 15,000 to 30,000 words, so this is in the usual range today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
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