You ever read a story told entirely through letters? Like you’re snooping on someone’s mailbox? That’s the epistolary style for y’all. It’s an old-school way of telling stories through written stuff—letters, diaries, emails, you name it. I stumbled into it when I found an old box of letters from my grandma. Reading those felt more real than any novel I’d picked up.
Anyway, the epistolary style is basically storytelling by correspondence. No big, fancy narration telling you what’s up—just raw, personal writing. Sometimes it’s a diary. Sometimes a series of letters that might get lost in the mail or have some juicy secrets scribbled in the margins.
What Is Epistolary Style?
The epistolary style means the story unfolds through documents. Letters mostly. But also journals, emails, newspaper clippings, even text messages nowadays (crazy, right?).
Here’s a simple way to think of it:
- You’re reading someone’s personal mail.
- Or a diary they forgot to lock away.
- Maybe even emails exchanged late at night between people who shouldn’t be texting each other.
It’s like the characters write their own story, no middleman. This gives you that weirdly intimate feeling—like you’re in on a secret.
Where Did Epistolary Come From?
I’m no historian, but here’s the skinny:
Long ago, before ebooks and blogs, folks wrote letters. A lot. Some of those letters told stories. The Bible’s letters? Early example. Philosophers sent letters that explained their thoughts. So the epistolary form has some serious roots.
The 1700s? Boom. That’s when the epistolary novel took off, especially in England and France. Samuel Richardson’s Pamela is one of the earliest examples. She writes letters about a maid resisting her boss. That’s wild stuff for the time.
Fun fact: Victorians believed talking to ferns prevented madness. I talk to my begonias just in case.
Why Bother with the Epistolary Style?
Why don’t writers just stick to plain ol’ narration? I ask myself that a lot.
But here’s the deal: letters show emotions better. Way better. When you read someone’s diary or letter, you get their unfiltered feelings.
It’s like reading a diary entry where they confess their crush on the neighbor—or their deep hatred for Monday mornings.
Plus, you get multiple angles. If there’s two or three characters writing letters, you see the drama unfold from all sides. Like a soap opera but with pens.
Classic Epistolary Novels That Totally Nailed It
Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
This one’s a horror classic, told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings. Imagine getting a letter from your buddy warning about a creepy vampire—and then seeing the news report about some missing folks. It’s spooky, and the format makes it hit home.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
You probably know the monster guy. But did you know the story is framed by letters from an explorer named Robert Walton? His letters to his sister set the stage for Victor Frankenstein’s tragic tale. This layering adds a sort of “story within a story” vibe.
Pamela by Samuel Richardson (1740)
Like I said, Pamela was a pioneer. The whole thing is letters from Pamela to her mom, describing her struggles and resistance. Pretty bold for the 18th century. Her letters make you feel every awkward moment, every triumph.
The Good Stuff About Epistolary
So, what’s in it for the reader?
- Up close and personal. You’re inside the characters’ heads.
- Unreliable narrators? Heck yes. Sometimes letters lie or leave stuff out.
- Plot twists can drop suddenly when a new letter reveals a secret.
- Suspense. Delays in letters arriving? Tension galore.
All that makes the epistolary style kinda like reading someone’s diary under a blanket with a flashlight.
Writing in Epistolary Style? Here’s the Catch
Writing like this ain’t easy, though.
- You gotta stick to what a letter or diary can say.
- Every character needs a distinct voice—no copy-pasting allowed.
- Plot has to unfold logically within these letters. (Imagine trying to explain a car chase in a letter. Not easy.)
But hey, when it works, it’s magic.
Modern Twists on the Epistolary Style
Surprise! The epistolary style didn’t die when emails showed up. Writers got creative.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky uses letters from a teenage boy. Made me feel like I was reading his diary in real-time.
- Attachments by Rainbow Rowell is told through emails. The back-and-forth feels so real, you wanna sneak a peek at your own inbox.
- We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver is letters from a mom to her estranged husband, unpacking family drama and dark secrets.
Modern epistolary stories sometimes even mix in texts, blog posts, or social media.
Epistolary Beyond Books
Y’all ever notice movies or games that use “found footage” or letters? Same vibe.
- The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity feel like visual epistolary horror.
- TV shows like 13 Reasons Why use recorded tapes as narrative devices.
- Games like Gone Home tell stories through notes and diaries you find.
The epistolary style keeps reinventing itself, no matter the medium.
Tips for Writing Your Own Epistolary Story
Thinking about trying it yourself? I learned some stuff the hard way.
Get Your Timeline Straight
Don’t confuse readers with letters outta order. Unless you want to, then have fun with chaos.
Make Voices Pop
Each character’s letters should sound like them. Don’t make your lawyer sound like your teenage niece.
Keep It Real
People don’t write perfect letters. Misspellings, crossed-out words, abrupt endings—it’s all gold.
Mix in Modern Formats
Texts, emails, voice memos—throw them in. It makes the story pop and feel current.
The Epistolary Style Keeps Changing
From handwritten letters to texts and tweets, this style evolves. But at its heart, it’s still about raw, personal voices telling stories.
A Quick Q&A Because Y’all Might Be Wondering
Q: Can there be just one letter-writer?
Sure! Diaries or single correspondences work fine. It’s like eavesdropping on one person’s thoughts.
Q: Is it only for romances and horror?
Nope. You can do sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries—even comedies. Just get creative.
Q: Is it old-fashioned?
Nah. It’s like vinyl records—classic but cool. Modern stories even use texts and emails.
Real Talk: What Makes Epistolary Special?
It’s like reading a friend’s secret notes. The imperfections, the typos (their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged), the emotional outpourings—makes it feel real.
I remember the smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019. Weird, right? But details like that ground a story in reality. Same with epistolary narratives—they make you feel the moment.
Classic Epistolary Books to Get You Started
| Book Title | Author | Format Highlights |
| Dracula | Bram Stoker | Letters, diaries, clippings |
| Frankenstein | Mary Shelley | Explorer’s letters frame story |
| Pamela | Samuel Richardson | Letters home |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Stephen Chbosky | Letters from teen boy |
| We Need to Talk About Kevin | Lionel Shriver | Letters between estranged parents |
| Attachments | Rainbow Rowell | Email exchanges |
Grab one and dive in.
A Coffee-Stained Anecdote About Epistolary Style
Okay, so I rewrote a paragraph by hand on a napkin once (don’t ask). Then spilled coffee all over it—classic me. Here’s the smudged version, transcribed verbatim:
“Epistolary stories… uh, there’s something deeply personal… about them. Like you’re peeking into someone’s soul, but in wrtten form, you know?”
Smudges and all, it captures the vibe.
Final Thoughts on the Epistolary Style
The epistolary style isn’t just some dusty literary relic. It’s a living, breathing way to tell stories that feels personal and authentic. Whether you want to write one or just get lost in a classic, it offers a wicked connection to characters and emotions.
So next time you find a letter, a diary, or even a strange text thread, think: could this be the start of an epistolary adventure?
About The Author
