Schicksalsroman
Schicksalsroman, literally “novel of fate” or “destiny novel,” is a term used in German literary criticism to describe a type of narrative in which the protagonist’s life is decisively shaped by fate, external forces, or providential order. In these works, characters often encounter dramatic events, coincidences, and turning points that drive the plot more than deliberate personal choices.
Typical features include a fate-driven plot structure, episodic or sequential progression through misfortune, crisis, and reversal,
Historically, the Schicksalsroman emerged in the late 18th century and remained influential into the 19th century,