I used to understand that the distinction between a novel and a novella was strictly a matter of length. Lately, however, I noticed how some older books are described as novels even though they're very short – and for short I mean about a hundred pages. The early works of Ursula K. Le Guin come to mind. So is there anything more about it?
by _Featherstone_
2 Comments
It is purely a matter of length but nobody is obliged to use the correct terminology.
Neither word has a strict definition, that’s all: there are plenty of works that might be referred to either as a novella or a (short) novel, and the distinction is mainly a matter of taste. Novella is slightly more esoteric, though, and among laypeople it’s very common to refer to, say, *The Great Gatsby* or *Heart of Darkness* as novels even though they’re very short.