The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word SENSIBILITY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a subject of English novel" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a subject of english novel = sensibility.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SENSIBILITY mean?
SENSIBILITY noun- The ability to sense, feel or perceive; responsiveness to sensory stimuli; sensitivity.
- Emotional or artistic awareness; keen sensitivity to matters of feeling or creative expression.
- Excessive emotional awareness; the fact or quality of being overemotional.
- (in the plural) An acute awareness or feeling.
- The capacity to be perceived by the senses.