A novel or story — a work of fiction, often a long narrative written by an author.
昨夜、有名な作家の小説を一冊読み終えた。
I finished reading a novel by a famous author last night.
彼女は小説を書くのが趣味だ。
She enjoys writing novels as a hobby.
その小説は映画化され、話題になった。
That novel was adapted into a movie and became a topic of conversation.