Novella

Definition

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a novella as a work of fiction intermediate in length and complexity between a short story and a novel. (“Novella.”) It is a short and well-structured narrative, often realistic and satiric in tone.  It usually focuses on one incident, or issue with one or two main characters and takes place at a single location. (“Definition of Novella.”) The story is not usually complicated with indirect plot lines or multiple points of view.

Development

A novella originated in Italy during the Middle Ages. It was based on local events that were humorous, political, or amorous. The first novella writer was probably Giovanni Boccaccio. He wrote The Decameron (1353), which was a collection of one hundred novellas, narrated by characters attempting to escape from the Black Plague in Italy. Authors often use a frame story to unify the tales around a common theme, frequently based on a catastrophic event.

Geoffrey Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales) introduced the novella to England.

Later (19th century) a novella became a favourite literary form in Germany (‘Novelle’). It was used (among others) by J.W. von Goethe, Thomas Mann, or Franz Kafka. 

Other works considered to be novellas are for example Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Death in Venice by Thomas Mann, or Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Novellas are also considered a perfect source for film adaptations due to their length. One of the most famous authors is Stephen King, whose novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" was made into a film The Shawshank Redemption, which was critically acclaimed by both the public and critics.  

Sources

“Definition of Novella.” Literarydevices.net/novella

“Novels and Short Stories.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. www.Britannica.com/art/novella

“Novella.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam- Webster,

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novella

Short Story vs Novella vs Novel: What's the difference? YouTube, 23 Dec 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1EgD843hXM

Zuzana Hvězdová 561842