It's difficult to determine exactly which was the very first novel. Different cultures have their own early forms of long fictional narratives. However, one of the early contenders could be 'The Tale of Genji' written by Murasaki Shikibu in Japan around the 11th century.
Many consider 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes to be the first ever modern novel. It was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615. It has elements like complex characters, a realistic portrayal of society, and a self - conscious narrative, which are characteristics of modern novels.
The first gothic novel is 'The Castle of Otranto'. It features things like a haunted castle, which is a very typical gothic setting. There are also strange events and a sense of foreboding throughout the story. It was a revolutionary work at the time as it combined elements of medieval romance and horror in a new and exciting way.
The first ever vampire novel is often considered to be 'The Vampyre' by John Polidori. It was published in 1819 and had a significant influence on the development of vampire literature. This short story introduced many of the elements that would become staples in vampire fiction, such as the alluring yet dangerous vampire figure.
The 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is often regarded as one of the first ever novels. It dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, a king who embarks on various adventures and quests for immortality. This work contains elements such as character development, a plot with multiple events, and themes that are still relevant today, like the search for meaning and the relationship between humans and the divine.
In the case of 'The Tale of Genji', it was written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady - in - waiting in the imperial court of Japan. She was highly educated and had a deep understanding of the courtly life and the literary traditions of her time. She likely drew on her own experiences, observations, and the cultural values of the Heian period to create this detailed account of Genji's life.
The first ever dystopian novel could be argued to be 'We'. This novel influenced many other dystopian works that came later. It features a highly regimented society, with people living in a glass city. There are strict rules about everything from work to relationships. It's a very prescient work, as it anticipates some of the problems associated with extreme forms of government control that we still worry about today.
The first published novel was 'The Tale of Genji'. It was an innovative work that introduced new elements to storytelling. Its influence can still be seen in modern literature.
The first Gothic novel is widely regarded as 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole. This novel set the tone for the Gothic style with its dark and mysterious themes, complex characters, and haunting settings.