Final answer:
Some novels feature parallel narratives, where multiple plots unfold simultaneously without intersecting. This is different from a continuous narrative, which shows different moments in time for the same characters within the same storyline.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some novels have parallel narratives, or multiple plots that occur at the same time without intersecting. A parallel narrative structure allows a novel to tell multiple stories simultaneously, each following its own sequence of events and its own characters, without necessarily intersecting with the other narrative threads. This is different from a continuous narrative, which implies time progression within the same story line, often seen in graphic novels where side-by-side images on the page depict different moments in time for the same characters.
In linear narratives, the story unfolds chronologically without the use of flashbacks or flash-forwards. Conversely, nonlinear narratives may employ flashbacks, flash-forwards, or other non-chronological techniques, jumping back and forth in time, often to convey complex experiences such as trauma. This narrative structure requires clear indications of time shifts, such as time-stamps or symbolic images, to ensure reader comprehension. Whether the narrative structure of a novel is parallel, linear, or nonlinear affects how a story is experienced and understood by readers.