106 words - out of over 25,000 words – that is the prologue to Romeo and Juliet - written at a time when even a letter would have a lengthy prologue of flowery greetings.

(Note - Each of the following author's works are deserving of rich praise. I am simply using their works as examples because these books are so well known.)

Compare that with:
- The Da Vinci Code – with a relatively brief prologue – three pages – eight times as many words.
- Water for Elephants– a mere four pages.
- Stephen King's It - over 100 pages.
- The Wheel of time series by Robert Jordan - from book six onwards usually 50+ pages.
- Michael Crichton's State of Fear - one third of the book.

Why do you think this is so?
Perhaps, the perceived demand for longer books, so that readers get "their money's worth"?
Is it something some forms are more prone to?