second part (of three); middle volume
Used for the middle installment of a three-part work, such as a trilogy or a three-volume set.
The second part of this trilogy is the most interesting.
novella; short novel
Abbreviation of 中編小説. Refers to a work of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a full-length novel.
See also: 中編小説
His new work is a novella, a length you can read in one sitting.
novella; short novel
Standard kanji spelling for both senses.
Alternate kanji form using 篇; less common but still seen.
Compound of 中 (middle) and 編 (volume, part). The novella sense is an abbreviation of 中編小説.