| A | B |
|---|
| Bildungsroman (novel of education) or coming-of-age novel | The protagonist is a child whose experiences teach him or her about the realities of the adult world. This transformation is often complex, painful, and filled with disillusionment. |
| Dystopian novel | Present readers with an apparent perfect (Utopian) society where human life is somehow diminished. Dark, prophetic themes: oppression, abuse of powers, loss of individuality. |
| Epistolary novel | Consists of letters written by one of more characters |
| Gothic novel | Characterized by dark, mysterious setting; has supernatural elements, especially ghosts. Gothic novels tend to be highly emotional, even melodramatic. |
| Historical novel | Story is immersed in historical events; characters interact with history. |
| Novella | Prose fiction longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel. |
| Novel of Manners | The author details the social customs of an era and/or the social behaviors of a particular social group. |
| Picaresque novel | An episodic novel (string of episodes or adventures) starring a picaro or rogue (a person of low social status) who wanders or has adventures |
| Social novel | Concerned with the effect of societal institutions and social conditions on humanity |
| Utopian novel | Presents an ideal (perfect) society free from typical social problems |
