From Britannica Encyclopedia
Epistolary novel - a novel told through the medium of letters written by one or more of the characters.
What do you think of novel written in this format?
I've not many experience with epistolary novel. I think the only epistolary novel I've read in full is 'Lady Susan' by the young Jane Austen, which was an immature work of the author. I think she was still developing as a writer at that time. I didn't find the novel especially captivating and found this form of story telling a bit inadequate. But, I'm currently reading a second epistolary novel and I find this second one interesting and also began to have interest in novels written in this form.
I'm currently reading 'Tenant of Wildfell Hall'. I only found out by the end of chapter 1 that it was written in epistolary form. I was surprised because all the while I was reading chapter 1, I thought I was only reading a first person POV novel. I only realised it's epistolary when I read the last paragraph which started with 'Now, Halford, I bid you adieu for the present.' and ended with 'Yours immutably, Gilbert Markham.'.
So, what do you think if this kind of novels? Do you like it? Or you found this format lacking? What epistolary novels you have read that you feel it's good?
Update: I just found out that 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker is also epistolary. I have read this novel before. How can I forget that it's epistolary but remember so clear 'Lady Susan' is written in this form?