Is A 700 Page Book Too Long For A Casual Reader?

2026-03-30 13:22:41
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4 Answers

Jonah
Jonah
Contributor Student
As a parent with maybe 20 minutes of reading time before bed, I used to avoid long books like the plague. Then my book club chose 'Pachinko' (490 pages), and I panicked. But here's the thing: great writing makes length irrelevant. Min Jin Lee's generational saga flowed so beautifully that I'd accidentally stay up way past my bedtime, caught in the lives of her characters.

Now I actively seek out longer books when the premise excites me. The key is committing to the journey rather than fixating on the destination. If a book starts dragging, I give myself permission to put it down—life's too short for books that don't earn their page count. But when you find one that does? Those 700 pages become a gift.
2026-03-31 23:00:20
9
Olivia
Olivia
Sharp Observer Mechanic
I used to be intimidated by thick books until I picked up 'The Count of Monte Cristo' on a whim. At nearly 1,200 pages, it looked like a doorstop, but once I got into Dumas' swashbuckling revenge story, the pages just flew by. What matters isn't the page count but how the story grabs you. Some 700-page epic fantasy novels feel quicker than 200-page literary fiction because the pacing and worldbuilding pull you in.

That said, I totally get why someone might hesitate. If you're juggling work, family, or school, chunksters can feel like homework. My trick? Read in bursts—50 pages here, 30 there—and don't pressure yourself to finish fast. Audiobooks help too; listening to 'The Stand' while commuting made its length disappear. Ultimately, it's about finding stories worth your time, not counting pages.
2026-04-02 11:05:05
15
Uriel
Uriel
Active Reader Librarian
My friend lent me 'Shōgun' last summer, all 1,100 pages of it. I nearly handed it back immediately—who has time for that? But the maritime adventure hooked me by page 50. Clavell's feudal Japan was so vivid, I didn't notice the length until I looked at my progress bar weeks later.

That experience taught me that page counts are psychological barriers. Some of my favorite reads ('Lonesome Dove', 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell') are massive, but their immersive qualities make them page-turners. The real question isn't 'Is this too long?' but 'Does this story justify its length?' If the writing sings and the plot thrills, even 700 pages feels too brief.
2026-04-03 06:10:26
4
Harper
Harper
Book Guide Cashier
Back in college, I judged books by their thickness—the slimmer, the better. Then I discovered doorstopper fantasy like Brandon Sanderson's 'The Way of Kings'. At 1,007 pages, it should've been daunting, but the immersive worldbuilding made it addictive. I actually felt disappointed when it ended!

What changed my perspective was realizing that long books often offer deeper character development and more intricate plots. Take 'The Priory of the Orange Tree'—its 800+ pages let Samantha Shannon craft an entire feminist mythology. Would the payoff be as satisfying in 300 pages? Doubtful. Now I see length as a promise: the author's saying 'I've got something substantial to share.' The trick is matching the book's rhythm to your lifestyle. Read during commute gaps, or pair it with a shorter book for variety.
2026-04-04 14:48:39
15
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Related Questions

How long does it take to read a 700 page book?

4 Answers2026-03-30 16:12:38
Reading a 700-page book is like embarking on a marathon—it’s all about pacing! I recently tackled 'The Stand' by Stephen King, and it took me about three weeks of steady reading. I’d chip away at 30-50 pages a day, more on weekends when I could curl up for hours. Some days, the story gripped me so hard I blew through 100 pages without noticing. Other times, dense world-building slowed me down to a crawl. If you’re a fast reader, you might finish in two weeks, but savoring intricate prose (like in 'The Name of the Wind') could stretch it to a month. Audiobook fans—budget 25+ hours! It’s less about the clock and more about how deeply you want to swim in that fictional world. Personally, I’d rather take my time and soak up every detail than rush through and miss the magic.

How long is uncommon reader book in pages?

3 Answers2025-08-10 04:10:37
I recently picked up 'The Uncommon Reader' by Alan Bennett and was pleasantly surprised by how concise yet impactful it was. The book is a quick read, clocking in at around 120 pages, depending on the edition. It's one of those rare gems that packs so much wit and charm into such a short space. The story follows Queen Elizabeth II discovering a passion for reading, and Bennett's writing is so sharp that every page feels purposeful. If you're looking for something light but deeply satisfying, this is it. The length makes it perfect for a lazy afternoon or a commute.

What are the best 700 page books of all time?

9 Answers2026-03-30 23:32:16
One of my all-time favorites has to be 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas. It's a brick of a book, but every page is packed with revenge, romance, and swashbuckling adventure. The way Dumas crafts Edmond Dantès' transformation from a naive sailor to a calculating mastermind is just mesmerizing. I love how the story weaves through decades, making you feel the weight of time passing. The side characters are equally vivid—Mercedes, Villefort, and Caderousse feel like real people with their own tangled motives. Another epic I adore is 'War and Peace' by Tolstoy. Yes, it's intimidating, but once you sink into its world, you forget the page count. The scenes at the Battle of Borodino or Natasha’s first ball are so immersive, you can almost hear the cannons or the waltzes. Tolstoy’s philosophical tangents might not be for everyone, but they add such depth to the human drama. It’s a book that makes you ponder life, love, and history long after you’ve turned the last page.

What should readers know about long page counts before starting It?

9 Answers2026-07-24 02:22:06
You should know that the length is where the horror truly festers. Pennywise isn't just a jump-scare monster; it's the rot in the town's foundation, and King needs all those pages to show you every crack. You read about a historical massacre, a fire, a suicide, and they all feel like separate tragedies until they slowly weave together into the shape of the creature. The terror is cumulative. A shorter book would give you the clown; this long one gives you the haunting realization that the whole world can be a feeding ground.

Are long novels worth the time investment?

5 Answers2026-05-06 23:39:42
There's a magic to losing yourself in a sprawling novel that shorter books just can't match. When I recently reread 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' those 1,200 pages felt like an immersive vacation—every subplot was a winding alley in Marseille, every character a lifelong friend. The payoff when all threads converge? Pure storytelling alchemy. Sure, it demands patience, but the best doorstoppers reward you with entire worlds that linger for years. That said, not every brick-sized book earns its page count. I abandoned 'Infinite Jest' twice before realizing some novels prioritize complexity over engagement. The trick is finding authors who use length purposefully—like Robin Hobb's 'Fitz' books, where even quiet moments build emotional depth. A great long novel doesn't feel long; it feels complete.
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