An epistle is an old term meaning a letter, and an epistolary novel is one told through letters or journal entries. Epistolary novels occasionally contain newspaper reports.The narration of epistolary novels takes place in the form of letters, journal entries, and newspaper reports. View slideshow of images above.n epistle is an old term meaning a letter, and an epistolary novel is one told through letters or journal entries. Epistolary novels occasionally contain newspaper reports.