What distinguishes a novel from a play is narration. A novel is a literary work of fiction that is written in prose and tells a story through narration, which is the voice that describes the events, characters, and setting. The narration can be in first-person or third-person, and it allows the reader to see inside the thoughts and feelings of the characters. In contrast, a play is a literary work that is written to be performed on stage by actors. The story is conveyed through dialogue and stage directions, rather than through narration. While characters, setting, and theme can be present in both novels and plays, it is the presence or absence of narration that distinguishes the two forms of literature.