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Quick answer: A novella is a work of fiction that’s longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, usually about 17,500 to 40,000 words, or roughly 60 to 150 pages. Novellas typically follow one main plot and a small cast of characters, and classics like Of Mice and Men and The Old Man and the Sea are famous examples.
Quick facts
Length: about 17,500 to 39,999 words (SFWA definition)
Pages: roughly 60 to 150
Reading time: about 1.5 to 3 hours
Structure: usually one central conflict, few characters, tight focus
Novellas are having a moment. Busy readers love them because they offer a complete, satisfying story in one or two sittings. Writers love them because they allow more depth than a short story without the sprawl of a full novel. Some of the most celebrated books in literature, from Kafka to Steinbeck to Claire Keegan, are novellas.
Table of Contents
Novella vs. Short Story vs. Novel
| Form | Typical word count | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| Short story | Under 7,500 | A single moment or event |
| Novelette | 7,500 to 17,499 | One event with more development |
| Novella | 17,500 to 39,999 | One main plot, few characters |
| Novel | 40,000+ | Multiple plots, larger cast |
These are the categories used by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association for the Nebula Awards. Other publishers and prizes use slightly different cutoffs, so you’ll sometimes see short novels like The Great Gatsby described as novellas.
What Makes a Novella Different?
- Tight focus: Novellas usually center on one conflict or one character’s journey.
- Fewer subplots: There’s little room for side stories.
- Intensity: Every scene tends to matter, which makes many novellas feel powerful and concentrated.
- One-sitting reads: Most readers can finish a novella in an evening.
10 Great Novellas to Read
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: two migrant workers chase a shared dream in Depression-era California. Check price on Amazon
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: an aging fisherman’s epic struggle with a giant marlin. Check price on Amazon
- Animal Farm by George Orwell: a sharp political fable about power and corruption. Check price on Amazon
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: a man wakes up transformed into a giant insect. Check price on Amazon
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation. Check price on Amazon
- Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: a chilling study of good and evil in one man. Check price on Amazon
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote: the story of the unforgettable Holly Golightly in 1940s New York. Check price on Amazon
- Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan: a coal merchant in 1985 Ireland faces a difficult moral choice; shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize. Check price on Amazon
- Foster by Claire Keegan: a quiet, moving story of a girl sent to live with relatives one summer. Check price on Amazon
- All Systems Red by Martha Wells: the first Murderbot Diaries novella, a funny sci-fi story that won the Hugo and Nebula Awards. Check price on Amazon
Why Read Novellas?
- They fit busy schedules. A complete story in an evening.
- They break reading slumps. A quick finish restores momentum.
- They’re great for book clubs. Everyone actually finishes.
- They let you sample authors. Try a writer’s style before committing to their longer books.
Related: how many words are in an average novel and how to get out of a reading slump.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a novella?
A novella is usually about 17,500 to 40,000 words, or roughly 60 to 150 pages, depending on the edition.
What is the difference between a novella and a novel?
A novel is longer, usually 40,000 words or more, with more characters and subplots. A novella is shorter and typically focuses on one main conflict.
What is a famous example of a novella?
Famous novellas include Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.