History and Origins

The use of epistolary literature in novels became popular in the 18th century, and while it is still present in today's literary world, it is not often used. In the 17th century, the first epistolary novel (at least to have recieved recognition, was Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and his Sister by Aphra Behn.(x) It was considered a Roman à clef  (a novel about real life with hints of fiction mixed in) while also exploring epistolary writing.

    Epistolary writing was prominent in earlier times, growing in popularity upon Samuel Richardson's two novels Pamela and Clarissa Harlowe. The use of epistolary writing in literature offers readers a personal insight and unique reading experience that they aren't offered in a regular novel. The use of letters and a narrator create a more authentic feel to stories, which is especially useful in fictional works. Starting in the 18th century, the epistolary novel was actually considered to be more feminine than masculine. Female writers had often written about marriage or relationship issues, or even depictions of the damsel in distress.(x) Despite this, epistolary novel writing was still largely run by men.