In the 9th - century Arabic literature, 'Kalila and Dimna' was quite significant. It is a collection of fables that were translated from Sanskrit originally. These fables often had moral lessons and were used to educate and entertain. They also give us insights into the intellectual and cultural exchanges that were taking place in the Islamic world at that time.
One important 9th - century novel could be considered 'Beowulf'. Although it has its roots in oral tradition, it was written down around this time. It tells the heroic story of Beowulf and his battles against monsters, which reflects the values and cultural elements of the Anglo - Saxon society at that time. It's a great epic that has influenced many later works of literature.
Some of the top 18th - century novels include 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift. It's a satirical work that takes the reader on adventures with Lemuel Gulliver. Another is 'Tom Jones' by Henry Fielding, which is known for its vivid characters and complex plot. Also, 'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe, a story about a man stranded on an island and his survival and self - discovery there.
Some of the top 10 20th - century novels could include 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful story about racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which gives a terrifying vision of a totalitarian future. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also on the list, with its exploration of the American Dream and class differences.
One of the top 19th - century novels is 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot. This novel offers a detailed portrait of provincial English life in the 19th century, with complex characters and themes like the role of women in society, the nature of marriage, and the pursuit of personal and social ideals. 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens is another. It tells the story of Pip, a young boy with dreams of becoming a gentleman, and explores themes of class, ambition, and love.
One of the top 19th - century feminist novels is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. It features a strong - willed heroine who challenges the social norms of her time regarding class and gender. Another is 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which, although written by a male author, delved into the oppression of women in Puritan society through the character of Hester Prynne. 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen is also significant. It shows Nora's struggle for independence from her controlling husband, which was a very bold statement in the 19th century.
Some of the top 20th century novels include 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful story about racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which warns about totalitarianism. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also highly regarded, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream.
One of the top 20th - century novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Although it was first published in the 19th century, its influence continued into the 20th century and beyond. It's a classic love story with complex characters. 'Ulysses' by James Joyce is also notable. It's a complex and experimental work that delves deep into the human psyche. Then there's 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, which captures the angst of adolescence.
For the top 100 Chinese novels of the 20th century, you can refer to the following list: 1 Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty 2 Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty 4 Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty 5 The Scholars-Qing Dynasty 6 Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty 7 Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty 8. The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty 9 Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty 11 The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty 16 Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Legend of the White Snake-Yuan Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty 22 The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Jin Ping Mei (Ming Dynasty) 24 Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty 28 The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Legend of the White Snake-Yuan Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Legend of the White Snake-Yuan Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Legend of the White Snake-Yuan Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty The Plum in the Golden Vase-Ming Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Jin Ping Mei (Ming Dynasty) Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio-Tang Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty Romance of the Three Kingdoms-Ming Dynasty Journey to the West-Yuan Dynasty The Scholars-Qing Dynasty Dream of the Red Chamber-Qing Dynasty Water Margins-Ming Dynasty
The judges of the Top 100 Chinese Fictions of the 20th Century included: 1. Literature critics: including famous scholars and literary critics such as Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Lao She, Ba Jin, Zhang Ailing, Shen Congwen, etc.; 2. Including famous modern Chinese artists such as Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Lao She, Ba Jin, Zhang Ailing, Shen Congwen, Ding Ling, Yang Jiang, etc. 3. Representative of literary schools: including some representative schools in modern Chinese literature such as the New Moon School, symbolism, realism, and realism; 4. Other factors, including the type, theme, style, language, influence, and other factors of the works.
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.
Another theme was the exploration of female identity. Novels like 'A Room of One's Own' examined how women were defined by society and how they could redefine themselves. It was about finding one's true self outside of the roles assigned by men.