What is an Epistolary Novel? The Novel of Letters and Messages

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A few days ago, I came across another new literary term- Epistolary Novel. This concept amazed me so much that I read 2 epistolary novels where I am too lazy to read a hard book in a month( I prefer reading online novels. So I read a lot of them.)

So, What is an Epistolary Novel?

An epistolary novel is a novel told entirely, or almost entirely, through a series of letters, emails, diary entries, or other written documents exchanged between characters.

Epistolary novel, this word is derived from the Latin word “epistola,” which means “letter” or “message.” This Latin word itself has roots in the ancient Greek word “epistolē” (epistolḗ), also meaning “letter.” Therefore, “epistolary novel” literally translates to “a new kind of story told through letters.”

How did it come into existence?

The epistolary format predates the novel itself. Ancient texts like the “Works of Ovid” incorporated letters or journals. However, the first known use of the term “epistolary novel” in English appears around the mid-18th century, coinciding with the rise of this literary technique.

The evolution of epistolary novel took centuries. Here is a general overview of this evolution-

The beginning:

Letters were often used within larger narratives, like in “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes. Pioneering works like “Letters of a Portuguese Nun” by Mariana Alcoforado (possibly fictional) and “Orinthia to Silvia” by Aphra Behn established the epistolary format as a powerful storytelling tool.

• 1654: Lettres Portugaises (Portuguese Letters) by (anonymous) — Though authorship is debated, these passionate love letters are a notable early example.
• 1665: Histoire comique (Comical History) by Paul Scarron — A satirical novel told through letters.

Rise of the Epistolary Novel (1700s — 1800s):

• 1721: Lettres persanes (Persian Letters) by Montesquieu: This satirical novel using fictional letters from a Persian traveler to Europe is considered a landmark work in the genre’s development.
• 1740: Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson: This epistolary novel, a bestseller in its time, explored themes of social class and female virtue through letters between characters. It is widely considered the first true epistolary novel. Its success sparked a wave of epistolary fiction in England and Europe.
• 1761: Julie, ou la Nouvelle Héloïse (Julie, or the New Eloise) by Jean-Jacques Rousseau: This epistolary novel explored themes of love, passion, and societal expectations through letters between characters.
• 1774: The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: This epistolary novel, a major influence on Romanticism, explored themes of unrequited love and emotional turmoil through letters.

Maturity and Diversification (1800s — 1900s):

• 1818: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: This epistolary novel, a gothic masterpiece, used letters to create a sense of suspense and reveal the motivations of different characters.
• 1847: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: While not entirely epistolary, Jane Eyre incorporates significant portions of letters, journals, and other documents, offering insights into the protagonist’s inner world.
• 1880s: Rise of epistolary elements in detective fiction: Novels like Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series sometimes incorporate letters and telegrams as evidence or narrative tools.
• Late 19th/Early 20th Century: Epistolary novels continued to be written, but the format became less dominant compared to the rise of realism and other literary movements.

20th Century and Beyond:

• 1897: Dracula by Bram Stoker: This gothic masterpiece uses a variety of documents like letters, telegrams, and newspaper clippings to piece together the story of Dracula.
• 1920s — 1930s: The epistolary format saw a resurgence in modernist and experimental literature, with some authors using it to explore stream of consciousness and fragmented narratives.
• Late 20th & 21st Century: The epistolary format continues to be used by contemporary authors, often incorporating new communication technologies like emails and social media posts. Examples include:
• 1985: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (uses recorded tapes)
• 2016: You by Caroline Kepnes (written from the perspective of a stalker through emails and social media posts)

However, there is a decline of the epistolary novel after the 18th century. It can be attributed to the rise of the omniscient narrator and the development of more traditional third-person narrative styles. However, the epistolary form retains a unique charm and allows for exploration of character psychology in a specific way.

Maybe you can try to read a few epistolary novel.