The number of characters in a novel would vary according to the genre, author's style, plot setting, and other factors. Some novels may have hundreds of characters while others may only have dozens of characters. For example, the Harry Potter series had about 700 characters, while the Lord of the Rings series only had about 300 characters. The number of characters usually depended on the theme of the novel, the plot, and the complexity of character development. It was important to ensure that all the characters in the novel were complex, real, and important so that the readers could resonate with them and understand the novel deeply.