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A '''novel''' is a long, fictional [[book]], almost always divided into smaller units, or chapters. The word has the same origin as the word "novel" meaning new. Therefore, it can be said that a "new novel" is a [[tautology]].

A '''novel''' is a long, fictional [[book]], almost always divided into smaller units, or chapters. The word has the same origin as the word "novel" meaning new. Therefore, it can be said that a "new novel" is a [[tautology]].

The eleventh century ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'', by Japanese author [[Murasaki Shikibu]], has been described as the world's first novel.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190814-the-tale-of-genji-the-worlds-first-novel "The Tale of Genji: The world’s first novel?"]</ref> The first modern European novel was '[['Don Quixote de La Mancha]]'' (1605), written in Spanish by [[Miguel de Cervantes]].

The eleventh century ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'', by Japanese author [[Murasaki Shikibu]], has been described as the world's first novel.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190814-the-tale-of-genji-the-worlds-first-novel "The Tale of Genji: The world’s first novel?"]</ref> The first modern European novel was ''Don Quixote de La Mancha'' (1605), written in Spanish by Miguel de Cervantes.

A very short novel (say between 20,000 and 50,000 words) is sometimes called a "[[novella]]." Joseph Conrad's ''[[Heart of Darkness]]'', consisting of about 38,000 words, is an example.

A very short novel (say between 20,000 and 50,000 words) is sometimes called a "[[novella]]." Joseph Conrad's ''[[Heart of Darkness]]'', consisting of about 38,000 words, is an example.