novella
Definition
Noun: A novella is a work of narrative fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter and less complex than a full-length novel. It is a distinct literary form focused on a single, concentrated plotline or character development.
Usage
The word "novella" is used to classify and describe a specific, intermediate length of prose fiction. It is a countable noun. * George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a famous political novella. * She is writing a novella set in the 19th century. * The publishing house has a contest for the best novella of the year.
Advanced Usage
- As a literary category: The term is often used in literary criticism and publishing to categorize works that do not fit neatly into the short story or novel brackets.
- The prize has separate categories for short stories, novellas, and novels.
Variants and Related Words
- Novel (n.): A long work of narrative fiction, typically with a complex plot and many characters.
- Novelette (n.): A term sometimes used interchangeably with "novella," though it can imply a work even shorter or lighter in tone.
Synonyms
- Short novel
- Novelette
- Long short story
Antonyms
- Novel
- Short story
Noun
-
a short novel
