No level ground in a type of Italian fiction (7)

I believe the answer is:

novelle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a type of italian fiction' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'no level ground' is the wordplay.
'ground' indicates anagramming the letters ('grind' the letters into a new form).
'level' with letters rearranged gives 'velle'.
'no'+'velle'='NOVELLE'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app