One notable 1870s novel is 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot. It's a complex work that explores the lives of various characters in a provincial English town. Another is 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain, which follows the mischievous adventures of a young boy. Also, 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy, a story about love, society, and the consequences of actions in 19th - century Russia.
Some important 1870s novels include 'The Egoist' by George Meredith. This novel is known for its exploration of self - centeredness. 'L'Assommoir' by Émile Zola is also significant. It's a naturalistic portrayal of working - class life in Paris. Additionally, 'A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder' by James De Mille is an interesting read that combines adventure and mystery.
Well, 'Roots: The Saga of an American Family' by Alex Haley is a significant 1970s novel. It traced a family's history back through slavery in America, which had a huge impact on how people thought about African - American history. Also, 'Watership Down' by Richard Adams is a great 1970s novel. It's an adventure story about a group of rabbits that has elements of political and social commentary as well as being a great read for all ages.
Some great 1980s novels include 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole. It's a hilarious and complex story. Then there's 'White Noise' by Don DeLillo, which delves into modern consumer culture and the fear of death. Also, 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker, a novel that tells a poignant story of African - American women's lives in the South.
In the 1960s, there were many great novels. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey is a remarkable one. It shows the power struggle between patients and the oppressive mental institution system. 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys is also significant. It is a prequel to 'Jane Eyre' and gives a different perspective on the story. Additionally, 'The Magus' by John Fowles is a complex and engaging novel from that time.
A very popular women's novel in the 1950s was 'Peyton Place' by Grace Metalious. It was a best - selling novel that delved into the secrets and scandals of a small town, from the perspective of female characters. It was quite controversial for its time as it dealt with topics like adultery and illegitimacy which were not often openly discussed in literature. Also, 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, although written earlier, remained highly influential in the 1950s. It was a Gothic novel with a complex female protagonist and a mysterious plot that captivated readers.
There's 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin. While it has elements of horror, it also involves a sort of crime mystery within the story. It was very popular in the 1960s. And then there's 'The Thomas Berryman Number' by James Patterson. It was one of his early works and showed his talent for creating suspenseful crime stories even back then.
One of the well - known 1920s graphic novels was 'The Adventures of Tintin' which started to gain popularity during this time. It had unique illustrations and engaging storylines that attracted a wide range of readers. Another one could be some early works that were precursors to the modern superhero graphic novels, though not in the fully - developed superhero form we know today. These early graphic novels often had elements of adventure, mystery, and social commentary.
One of the well - known 1970s mystery novels is 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. It's not a traditional mystery in the sense of a whodunit, but it has elements of mystery within the complex world of the mafia. Another is 'Chinatown Beat' by Henry Chang, which offers a look into the Chinese - American community in New York City with a mystery at its core. Also, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is a classic spy mystery of the 1970s, full of intrigue and complex characters.
In the 1920s, 'The Lost World' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was quite popular. It's about an expedition to a plateau in South America where prehistoric creatures still exist. It combines elements of adventure and fantasy. Also, 'Theosophy' influenced some fantasy works of that decade. Some novels incorporated ideas from it, like the concept of hidden spiritual realms and ancient wisdom, which added a different flavor to the fantasy genre at that time.
One of the notable 1900s fantasy novels is 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum. It introduced the magical land of Oz and characters like Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. Another is 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie, which took readers to the magical world of Neverland where children never grow up and there are pirates and fairies.
A great 80s dystopian novel is 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury. In this world, books are burned to suppress knowledge and free thinking. The society is highly controlled and people are distracted by mindless entertainment. Also, 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson is important. It explores a future of corporate control and a cyberpunk - like world where technology has both advanced and corrupted society.