When books are published, why do people abridge it later?

Question

When books are published, why do people abridge it later?

Answer 1

Publishers say they abridge the book to make it "more accessible" to a wider audience.

For example, many people who would not normally read "War and Peace" *will* later purchase it when it's abridged.

Basically, the Publisher is throwing a wider net, so to speak, to capture MORE readers (more consumers) who otherwise would not read the full, detailed version of the author's original work.

Answer 2

Sometimes a book is too hard for a certain audience to read, so the publisher shortens it down or makes the words not so complicated so that audience can read the book.

For example, take a look at many of Charles Dickens' books. They're pretty hard to read (they were written almost 200 years ago), but if the words weren't so complicated I'm sure his books would be a good read to many people.

Here's a dictionary definition:

Abridgement or abridgment is a term defined as "shortening" or "condensing" and is most commonly used in reference to the act of reducing a written work, typically a book, into a shorter form. A written work is mostly abridged for adaptation into an audio book, to make a more convenient companion to an already established work, or as part of censorship of the work.