John read the first 114 pages of a novel, which was 3 pages less than 1/3 end fraction of the novel

114 was 3 less than 1/3 of the novel

114=-3+1/3 (novel)

find (novel)

add 3 to both sides

114+3=3-3=1/3 (novel)

117=0+1/3 (novel)

117=1/3 (novel)

times both sides by 3/1

351 = (3/3) (novel)

351=novel

351 pages in the novel