Jane Bowles and the short story v the novel

Though she wrote (published) only 7 stories (and only 1 novel for that matter), it seems to me that Jane Bowles was more assured and accomplished in the shorter form. Read one of her stories - Capote recommends it in his foreword to her collected works - Camp Catacomb - and found it to be strange, disturbing, and sadly believable - about two 40-someting sister, one of whom is spending the summer at the eponymous camp, which is clearly for people with psychiatric disorders - the other sister is at home, which she shares w/ a 3rd sister and her husband, feeling inferior and belittled and put-upon (she does all the housework, as she cannot afford to pay the upkeep, and does it badly it seems). The story in a sense is about which sister is the more - the most - disturbed. The at-home sister visits the camp unexpected and uninvited, and we see many awkward scenes in which the sisters try to behave normally and act civil toward one another. Bowles has a great sense of and empathy for the disturbed and the outsider. There are throughout hints of homosexual attractions but the theme always remains in the background. There are also suggestions throughout that each sister wants to "break free" in some way, that they see themselves as rebels or adventurers - but nobody else would, they're bound to home and to convention. Although men are peripheral in this story and in her novel, they all come off badly: narcissistic, domineering, needy, and weak. This story is in my view much stronger than the novel in that it feels unified and concentrated; it feels as if Bowles knows these characters and what they signify and what will happen to them over the course of the story - whereas the novel, despite its strengths and its unusual tone, feels improvisational - a series of loosely connected events that don't lead toward any grander picture or design. Stories may require more skill, but novels are far more demanding on the mentality and stamina of the writer, and it seems that for whatever reason - apparently she had much trouble in her life - Bowles foundered when working in the longer form.