Envy novel, e.g. B. Rudge (8)
I believe the answer is:
begrudge
'envy' is the definition.
('begrudge' can be a synonym of 'envy')
'novel e g b rudge' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates anagramming the letters.
'e'+'g'+'b'='egb'
'egb' with letters rearranged gives 'beg'.
'beg'+'rudge'='BEGRUDGE'
(Other definitions for begrudge that I've seen before include "Envy (someone) the enjoyment of" , "Show envy" , "Envy the pleasure of" , "Resent other's good fortune or possession" , "Feel resentment and envy" .)