Line #18 Main/MultivolumeWork


1	Any work that runs at more than one volume or installment. Usually, these works tend to be much longer than your average book, but there are exceptions. The work itself can be considered one large story broken into parts or several smaller stories with recurring themes and characters.
2
3	The reasons for breaking a story up into parts can vary. Some books, like ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', were considered too long by the publisher, making this an example of ExecutiveMeddling. Other times, this is simply a demand of the medium or genre that the author works in. For example, the novels of Creator/CharlesDickens were all serialized in fiction magazines due to the prohibitive cost of book printing. In both of these cases, the stories are considered one large work and are often combined in one volume for sale later. See also: SerialNovel, DividedForPublication.
4
5	Other times, the works are meant to be individual stories that stand on their own. This can be the intention of the author from the start. Other times, such as with an unexpected CashCowFranchise, one book that was meant to be self-contained becomes outrageously popular, prompting sequels.
6
7	This is a {{literature}} trope and an example of ProseFiction.
8	----
9	!!Examples:
10	* ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'' was originally published as two separate books: ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' and ''Through the Looking-Glass''.
11	* ''Literature/ArabianNights'': The Mardrus & Mathers translation was published in four volumes, totaling [[{{Doorstopper}} over 2300 pages]].
12	* Creator/IsaacAsimov:
13	** ''Literature/AsimovsGuideToShakespeare'': Because of [[{{Doorstopper}} the word count]], it was decided to release this work as two volumes at first. ''Volume One'' contains the Greek, Roman, and Italian plays. ''Volume Two'' contains the plays set in England. When binding technology improved, the work was re-released as an {{Omnibus}}.
14	** His ''AutoBiography'' (one set of them, at least) was published in two {{Doorstopper}} volumes; ''Literature/InMemoryYetGreen'' and ''Literature/InJoyStillFelt''.
15	** ''Literature/IsaacAsimovTheCompleteStories'': When the first volume was published, it wasn't certain how many volumes it would take to republish all of Dr Asimov's short fiction. The series, [[OrphanedSeries being obviously incomplete]], may stay that way due to [[DiedDuringProduction Dr Asimov's death]] the same year ''Volume 2'' was published.
16	* Creator/CharlesDickens:
17	** ''Literature/OliverTwist''
18	** ''Literature/GreatExpectations''
19	** ''Literature/DavidCopperfield''
20	* ''Literature/HarryPotter''
21	* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''
22	* ''Literature/DonQuixote'' was originally two books published a decade apart. Today they are usually printed together as one volume.
23	* When published by the Ministry of Image, ''Fanfic/FalloutEquestria'' was divided into four separate volumes for ease of reading, each with their own cover art.
24	* Creator/JasperFforde:
25	** ''Literature/NurseryCrime'': Two books so far, with a third book stuck in DevelopmentHell.
26	** ''Literature/ThursdayNext'': Seven books and counting.
27	* ''Literature/TheGreatSFStories'' collects the "best" short fiction stories between the GoldenAge of ScienceFiction until the NewWave decades later. Each volume is dedicated to a specific year, covering 1939 until 1963 (and then another volume for 1964 was produced a decade later).
28	* ''Literature/TheGreenMile'' spanned six volumes.
29	* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'': Originally called a trilogy, the third book was split in two when it achieved {{Doorstopper}} status.
30	* ''Literature/OutOfThisWorld'': This {{Anthology}} by Creator/AmabelWilliamsEllis ran for ten volumes (eight with Creator/MablyOwen and two with Creator/MichaelPearson). In addition, two {{Omnibus}} editions were published.
31	* ''Literature/PrincessesOfThePizzaParlor'' is 13 episodes and counting.
32	* ''Literature/RedMarsTrilogy'' includes three parts.
33	* ''Literature/TheScienceFictionHallOfFameVolumeOne'': Shortly after the UsefulNotes/NebulaAward was created, the Science Fiction Writers of America wanted to honour the stories and authors from before its inception. The members nominated and voted on stories that had been printed before 1 January 1965, the first-year stories became candidates for Nebulas. The stories with the most votes would be republished in a multi-volume anthology of stories.
34	* ''Literature/ScienceFictionVerhalen'' ran for six volumes.
35	* Creator/NahokoUehashi:
36	** ''Literature/TheBeastPlayer'': The original novel was released in two books and so was the sequel.
37	** ''Literature/{{Moribito}}'': ''Guardian of the God'' and ''Guardian of Heaven and Earth'' were released in multiple books.
38	* ''Literature/TheTwilightSaga'' includes four books: ''Twilight'', ''New Moon'', ''Eclipse'', and ''Breaking Dawn''.
39	* ''Literature/WarriorCats''

Context Main / MultivolumeWork