Wikipedia defines an Epistolary Novel as “a novel written as a series of documents”. In a human definition it is so much more then that. These books can include letters, dairy entries, even newspaper clippings. To write a book like this an author must convey a story in simple detail and let it flow easily. These books have to ‘feel’ right and can not feel like they are an act. One of the most popular books today that were written this way is “TTYL”. This book was the number one challenged book this year. It is written total IM (instant message format). This is a new concept and outlet for an author that wants to write an Epistolary Novel.
The History
One of the theories as to how these books started was that they began as regular novels but letters or documents took up the bulk of the story. The first Epistolary Novel was the Spanish book “Prison of Love”. This was written in 1485. The bulk of the story is love letters between a couples but it is fused together with the ‘regular’ style of writing a novel.
The first English author to write these books was a man by the name of James Howell. His book called “Familiar Letters” was about prison, foreign adventure and the love of women. These works of art became very popular in the 18th century. In the late 18th century, around 1741 to be exact, this form of writing became ridiculed. There was even a parody novel written around this time where the main character can be seen put pen to paper to write diary entries under very unusual situations. This ridicule resulted in a drop of novels of this kind. However, it is theorized that “Pride and Prejudice” was originally supposed to be an Epistolary novel. There are many letters in the book that have a major part of the plot line.
It was in the 19th century that the most famous Epistolary novel, “Dracula”, was written. This novel was written in 1897 and was composed of many different forms of story telling. This included doctor’s notes, diary entries, and even some newspaper clippings.
Three different types
Within the Epistolary novel category there are two different types, monologic, dialogic, and polylogic. Monologic includes letters or entries of one person. Dialogic is made from two people corresponding through written form, usually letters. Polylogic form has three or more characters. This form gives simultaneous points of view.
Modern Works
The art of an Epistolary novel has been given a rebirth. Most modern books of this form have adapted modern technology. These include blog entries and instant messaging.
“We need to talk about Kevin” is a book of letters from a mother to her husband about their mentally disturbed son. Kevin eventually goes to commit an act of schoolyard massacre. This book was published in 2003 and is by Lionel Shriver. This deals with the very real issue of school shootings of the modern world and also has elements of divorce. It is a very though provoking novel.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War” is a work that was published in 2006 by Max Brooks. This book is a collection of interviews of survivors of a zombie apocalypse. It is an account of things a decade after the fictional apocalypse.
This type of novel shows that anything can make a good story. You just have to have an idea. You can put your story to any type of written form. The most important lesson to learn is to just write. So what are you doing reading this. Write!
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistolary_novel#Early_works
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/301023.ttyl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Need_to_Talk_about_Kevin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Z
