Short novels in general are concise yet powerful. They have to convey a complete story or idea within a limited number of words. For example, they often have a single, focused plotline. Take 'The Necklace' as an example. It has a clear plot about a woman's obsession with appearance and the consequences that follow. The characters are also well - defined despite the brevity. The setting is usually described just enough to set the context for the story.