Can you recommend some short modernist novels?

Well, 'Gormenghast' by Mervyn Peake is an excellent modernist fantasy novel. It has a very detailed and darkly atmospheric world-building. The story follows the life in the strange and decaying castle of Gormenghast. Also, 'Finnegans Wake' by James Joyce contains elements of fantasy in its complex and dream - like narrative structure, though it's more difficult to decipher compared to other novels.

Sure. 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf is a great choice. It gives a vivid picture of a day in the life of a London society woman, with Woolf's characteristic exploration of the characters' inner consciousness. Another good one is 'Ulysses'. Joyce's use of language and his re - creation of the Odyssey in a modern Dublin setting are truly remarkable.

D. H. Lawrence's 'The Rocking - Horse Winner' is a modernist short story worth mentioning. It deals with themes of family, greed, and the search for luck. The story has an air of mystery and uses symbolism effectively to convey its deeper meanings.

Another is 'The Rocking - Horse Winner' by D. H. Lawrence. This story delves into themes of greed, family, and the search for luck. Lawrence uses his unique writing style to create a somewhat eerie and thought - provoking short story that is characteristic of the modernist movement.

Sure. 'Ulysses' by James Joyce is a great one. It's known for its complex stream - of - consciousness narrative.

One characteristic is the use of experimental narrative techniques. For example, stream - of - consciousness writing, as seen in Virginia Woolf's works. This gives readers an insight into the characters' inner thoughts in a very fluid way. Another is the exploration of complex themes like identity, alienation, and the nature of time. In 'The Metamorphosis', Kafka explores alienation through Gregor's transformation. Also, modernist short novels often break traditional literary structures, presenting fragmented stories that require the reader to piece together meaning.

Another important American modernist novel is 'Ulysses' by James Joyce, although Joyce was Irish, the novel had a significant impact on American modernist literature. It's famous for its stream - of - consciousness technique and complex allusions, which made it a revolutionary work in the modernist movement.

For beginners, 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a good start. It has modernist elements like its fragmented narrative and exploration of the American Dream. Another is 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad. It's a short novel but with deep themes and a unique narrative style. 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is also suitable. It presents a dystopian future which is a common theme in modernist works.

A great beginner - friendly post - modernist novel is 'If on a winter's night a traveler' by Italo Calvino. It has an engaging and unique structure that draws the reader in. The post - modernist elements, like the self - referential nature of the narrative, are presented in a way that is both interesting and not too difficult to comprehend. Another option could be 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. Although it has a complex narrative, the way it combines history and magic realism in a post - modern framework is very appealing and can be a good introduction to this genre.

One of the best modernist short stories is 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka. It tells the strange tale of Gregor Samsa who wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect. Another great one is 'Araby' by James Joyce. It beautifully captures the disillusionment of a young boy's first love. And 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway is also a masterpiece. It shows Hemingway's minimalist style while dealing with complex relationship issues.