I think 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway is among the best. It tells the tragic love story of an American ambulance driver in World War I. 'Native Son' by Richard Wright is also very important. It exposes the harsh reality of African - Americans in the urban North. And 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut is a unique take on war and time, with its science - fiction elements.
Definitely 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. It shows the plight of the poor during the Great Depression. It's a story of a family's journey in search of a better life. Another great one is 'Absalom, Absalom!' by William Faulkner. It's a complex exploration of family history, race, and the South.
Some great 20th - century American novels are 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which has influenced many later works. But in the 20th century proper, 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Ernest Hemingway stands out. It's about an American in the Spanish Civil War. Also, 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' by James Baldwin is a profound exploration of race, religion, and identity in Harlem.
In English literature, 'The Pilgrim's Progress' is a very important 17th - century novel. It's a deeply religious work that has been widely read for its spiritual insights. Another is 'Leicester's Commonwealth', which was a political - based work that gives an interesting view of the times. And Aphra Behn's works like 'The Rover' are also significant as she was one of the first professional female writers in English.
American literature in the 19th and 20th centuries covered many different schools and some famous works are listed below: 19th century: - The Adventures of Tom sawyer by Mark Twain - Owen's The Jeff Bezos Story - Oliver Twist by Dickens - Jane Austen's Pride and Predict - The creator of the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling 20th century: - The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway - Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury - Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude - Nabokov's Lolita - Maugham's The Moon and Sixpence - Lao She's Teahouse In addition to the works listed above, there are many other famous American literary works such as Ernest Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises, Wilson's War and Peace, Calvino's One Hundred Years of Solitude, etc.
Several 19th - century novels are top - notch. 'Dracula' is a great one as it popularized the vampire genre. It creates a sense of fear and mystery that still holds today. 'The Scarlet Letter' is excellent as it makes readers think about sin and how society deals with it. 'Middlemarch' is a masterpiece. It shows the interconnectedness of different lives in a community and how small actions can have far - reaching consequences. Through its many characters, it paints a detailed picture of 19th - century society.
'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. It follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager who is disillusioned with the adult world. It has been highly influential in the portrayal of adolescent angst.
In the 19th century Irish literary scene, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' stands out. The way it builds up the horror and the character of Dracula has made it a classic. It has influenced countless horror stories and movies. Then there's 'Castle Rackrent' by Maria Edgeworth. This novel was a pioneer in showing the Irish rural life and the decaying aristocracy. It gives a unique perspective on the social structure in Ireland at that time.
One of the top 20th - century American novels is 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. It uses a complex narrative structure to tell the story of a southern family's decline. 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac is another great one. It represents the Beat Generation, with its themes of freedom, travel, and a search for meaning. And 'Ulysses' by James Joyce, while Irish, also had a significant impact on American modernist literature in the 20th century.
One of the best is 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It delves into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan society. Another great one is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a complex exploration of man's struggle against nature. Also, 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain is a classic, with its commentary on race and society in the American South.
For 18th - century, 'Tom Jones' by Henry Fielding is a great choice. It has a vivid portrayal of different characters and their adventures, and it gives a good look at the society of that time. It's full of humor and interesting plot twists.
One of the top 20th century novels is 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. It has a unique narrative structure. 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad is also in that list. It explores the darkness within human nature. And 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf, which gives an in - depth look at a day in the life of a woman.
Definitely 'Les Misérables'. It's so well - known for its vivid characters and exploration of social issues. Another is 'Madame Bovary' which is famous for its psychological depth. And 'The Red and the Black' is also a great one as it shows the complex social structure of the time.