What are some characteristics of the 100 most influential novels?

One of the most influential dystopian novels is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a totalitarian society where the government controls every aspect of people's lives. Another is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which depicts a future society based on pleasure and genetic engineering. 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood is also highly influential, showing a patriarchal and oppressive regime.

Some very influential American novels include 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. It tells the story of an African - American man's search for identity in a racist society. 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac was a significant influence on the Beat Generation. And 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which examines sin, guilt, and society in Puritan New England.

Some great 1960s novels include 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury. This novel warns about the dangers of a society that suppresses knowledge and promotes censorship. 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess is another. It explores themes of youth violence and the question of free will. 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys is also a notable 1960s novel. It is a prequel to 'Jane Eyre' and gives a voice to the 'mad' woman in the attic, Bertha Mason, exploring colonial and gender issues.

One of the most influential graphic novels is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It deconstructed the superhero genre and explored complex themes like morality and power. Another is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman, which told the story of the Holocaust in a unique graphic format, making it accessible and deeply moving. And 'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller also had a huge impact, reinventing Batman for a new era.

Often, they have complex characters. In 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield is a very complex and relatable character for many. They also tend to have strong themes. '1984' has the theme of government control and the loss of freedom, which is relevant everywhere but has been widely discussed in America. And they can be a reflection of different historical periods, like 'Gone with the Wind' reflecting the Civil War era.

One of the most influential twentieth - century novels is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It deals with themes of 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 very important, exploring the American Dream and wealth disparity.

One of the most influential is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It shows the power of love and the importance of looking beyond first impressions. Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which imparts lessons about justice, racism and moral courage. 'The Alchemist' is also very inspiring as it encourages readers to follow their dreams and listen to their hearts.

Well, 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is a very important twentieth century novel. It presents a dystopian future where society is highly controlled. Then there's 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov, which is controversial yet a significant exploration of complex relationships. Also, James Joyce's 'Ulysses' is a landmark, with its stream - of - consciousness style and in - depth exploration of human nature.

One of the most influential adventure novels is 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain. It explores themes of race, freedom, and growing up through the adventures of a young boy and an escaped slave on the Mississippi River.

One of the most influential 80's graphic novels is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It revolutionized the superhero genre with its complex characters and deconstruction of the superhero concept. Another is 'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller, which had a huge impact on the portrayal of Batman and influenced the darker, more gritty take on superheroes in later works. 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman is also notable. It's a unique graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust using animals to represent different groups, showing the power of the graphic novel medium to convey serious and important historical events.