Which of the following best defines a work of narrative fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel?

A work of narrative fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel is best defined as a novella. Novellas typically range from about 20,000 to 40,000 words, bridging the gap between the brevity of short stories and the more developed structure of novels. This format allows for deeper exploration of themes, characters, and plots than a short story, while still maintaining a concise narrative structure that doesn't reach the expansive length of a full novel.

The other options represent different forms of literary work: novels are longer narratives that provide extensive character development and complex plots; short stories focus on brevity and often aim to deliver a singular impact or moment; while drama refers to works intended for performance rather than straightforward prose narratives. Therefore, the best definition for the specified length of narrative fiction is a novella.