Zhè běn xiǎoshuō de xùshì fāngshì biékāishēngmiàn.
The novel's narrative approach breaks new ground.
Tips
history
From Du Fu's 《丹青引》 praising the painter 曹霸: 凌烟功臣少颜色,将军下笔开生面 — the faded portraits at Lingyan Pavilion came alive again under his brush. Hence 'opening a fresh face' = artistic renewal.
usage
Always positive — applied to creative work (art, writing, performance, design). The flavor is 'refreshingly original,' not just 'new'.