Novella vs. Novel — What's the Difference?

A work of fiction concentrating on a singular conflict.

A long fictional narrative with complex characters and plot.

A literary work between a short story and a novel in length.

A detailed exploration of themes through storytelling.

A short fictional narrative focusing on a single theme.

A literary work usually over 50,000 words.

A fictional story usually without chapters.

A multi-layered, often segmented narrative.

A concise, often poignant narrative.

A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the Italian: novella for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself from the Latin: novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, diminutive of novus, meaning "new".Some novelists, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Ann Radcliffe, John Cowper Powys, preferred the term "romance" to describe their novels.

A novella is a short novel, that is, a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than that of most novels, but longer than most short stories. No official definition exists regarding the number of pages or words necessary for a story to be considered a novella or a novel.

A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters.

A short prose tale often characterized by moral teaching or satire.

The literary genre represented by novels.

A short novel.

Strikingly new, unusual, or different.

A short novel or long short story.

Newly made, formed or evolved; having no precedent; of recent origin; new.

(historical) novel

Original, especially in an interesting way; new and striking; not of the typical or ordinary type.

A short novel

A work of prose fiction, longer than a novella.

(historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work.

(obsolete) A novelty; something new.

A new legal constitution in ancient Rome.

Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.

That which is new or unusual; a novelty.

News; fresh tidings.

A fictitious tale or narrative, longer than a short story, having some degree of complexity and development of characters; it is usually organized as a time sequence of events, and is commonly intended to exhibit the operation of the passions, and often of love.

A extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

A printed and bound book that is an extended work of fiction;

Of a kind not seen before;

Pleasantly novel or different;

A story with multiple subplots and varied settings.

A novel is a longer work of fiction, generally over 50,000 words, exploring multiple themes, characters, and settings.

A novella typically ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 words.

A novel usually exceeds 50,000 words.

A novella generally focuses on a single theme, character, or event.

Yes, 'novel' can also serve as an adjective meaning "new" or "unusual."

Generally, yes. Novels often have a higher level of complexity in characters, themes, and structure.

A novel has a broader focus, often including multiple themes, characters, and settings.

The plural form is "novellas."

A novella is a shorter work of fiction, usually between 20,000 to 50,000 words, focusing on a single theme or event.

Novels usually have chapters to structure their more complex narratives.

Typically, yes, due to its shorter length and simpler structure.

The plural form is "novels."

Novellas may or may not have chapters; they often present a continuous narrative.

Generally, yes. Novellas are often simpler in terms of structure and themes.

'Novella' is not commonly used as an adjective.