A novel is a fictional piece of prose usually written in a narrative style. Novels tell stories, which are typically defined as a series of events described in a sequence. The novel has been a part of human culture for over a thousand years, although its origins are somewhat debated. Regardless of how it began, the novel has risen to prominence and remained one of the most popular and treasured examples of human culture and writing.

There have been stories and tales for thousands of years, but novels must combine a few unique characteristics in order to be defined as such. First, a novel is written down. rather than told through an oral account. Secondly, novels are meant to be fictional in form, differentiating them from myths, which are said to have their basis in reality or theology. Although some modern scholars argue differently, there is no truly established guideline for length, point-of-view, or even establishment of a moral or philosophical point in novels.

Although an earlier Sanskrit story called Dasakumaracarita may in fact be the earliest example, an 11th century Japanese book called The Tale of Genji is more commonly accepted as the origin of modern novels. Written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, a minor court member, The Tale of Genji traces the heroics and female conquests of a Japanese Don Juan. It is perhaps here that novels gained their reputation for being a bit silly and trifling, despite numerous examples throughout the centuries of superlative writing in the style.

Naturally, novels could not receive wide distribution until the use of printing presses became common throughout the world. Even so, a few fictional works from the medieval and early modern periods stand out as landmarks of literary style. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is still taught to lecture-halls full of English literature majors today as one of the earliest celebrated novels.

Throughout the centuries, the novel stumbled along with great waxing and waning in popularity. Many modern examples held up as great novels were written throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, when novels finally gained a permanent position as an acceptable form of literature. Since that time, novels have become the most common form of published literature, far outpacing the published plays, poetry, and works of non-fiction that once held sway over the literate world.

Novels are often beloved for their creation of spectacular worlds, empathetic characters, and carefully thought-out arguments. They are often seen as a boundless realm of exploration and creativity, with subgenres springing up to include nearly every type of subject that can be written about. The literary style remains cost-effective despite the range of imaginary things that can be put into novels; unlike the soaring costs of special effects and computer graphics needed to make a fantastical movie, a novel requires only imagination and talent to create massive worlds and detailed characters.

At times, novels have greatly influenced societal behavior; the abolitionist novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, is sometimes cited as a major influence that drew the United States toward the Civil War. In the late 19th century, it was not uncommon for people to jam boatyards and mob newspaper stands, desperate for the next chapter of Mr. Charles Dickens' latest serialized novel. In recent times the success of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series sparked hundreds of midnight bookstore openings and lavish parties around the world at the first release of each book.