Novelle

The term "Novelle" refers to a short, well-structured narrative, often with a realistic and satirical tone, that significantly influenced the development of both the short story and the novel in Europe. Originating in medieval Italy, early novellas were collections of humorous, political, or romantic tales.1

In Germany, the Novelle flourished from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, with prominent writers like Goethe, Thomas Mann, and Franz Kafka contributing to the form. German Novellen frequently employed a frame story, often set during a catastrophic event, to unify individual tales told by various narrators. These stories are typically brief, with self-contained plots often ending ironically, characterized by a refined style and objective presentation. While the importance of the frame story and strict objectivity diminished over time, the Novelle persisted as a distinct literary form.1