I'm not really sure if this is a "genre" but i think of books like "The Pickwick Club Papers" from Dickens. Or right now i'm reading a collection short stories from Arthur Machen.
I know that autors used to publish stories in daily or weekly publications iirc. Idk wether that's why these books feel so episode like.
I imagine these as an equivalent to modern sitcoms / or fiction shows. The family would gather around and one reads an episode and all are having a good time. You don't need to spend too much time and it's rather easy to follow.
Machen of course would have a more serious touch. But overall even his stories are written in a quirky, fancy and somewhat playful style. I actually very much like this kind of style. Dickens does this very well usually. Characters behave and speak in an somewhat elaborate and weird way, almost comical if you will, not even in comical situations. Like if someone today would make a joke about that time period. "hey old chap, how was your day, i hope you're faring quite well. Pray sit down and light your pipe and place your legs on the fender". Is this typical to that time period and does it just sound weird and fancy to a modern reader 😀 ?
I've also read Lovecraft and R.E. Howard. The stories are usually short but they are already missing the "fancyness".
It's not like i can't handle books that need more attention and i'm a quite patient reader. It doesn't matter if a book takes me two months to finish. But i find books like this very enjoyable to read. They are also a good training for a non-native imo.
Are there other authors that are well know for this style or way of writing? It does not need to be a comical book, or weird fiction. Just the overall style.
thanks
by osmodia789