Well, 'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe is surely among the best 18th - century fiction. It tells the story of a man stranded on an island and his struggle for survival. Then there's 'Candide' by Voltaire. This work is full of sharp social and philosophical critiques. And we can't forget 'Clarissa' by Samuel Richardson, which is a very long but detailed and engaging epistolary novel.
The 18th - century has some wonderful fiction. For instance, 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' by Laurence Sterne. It's a unique and experimental novel with a very self - aware narrator. 'Roderick Random' by Tobias Smollett is also notable. It gives a vivid picture of the life of a young man in the 18th - century society. And 'The Female Quixote' by Charlotte Lennox is an interesting take on the idea of female madness and the influence of literature on women.
One of the best is 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift. It's a satirical work that takes the reader on extraordinary adventures with Lemuel Gulliver. Another great one is 'Tom Jones' by Henry Fielding, which is known for its vivid characters and complex plot. Also, 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole is an important early Gothic novel.
Some of the best 19th - century fiction works include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in a witty and engaging way. Another is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, which is not only a story about a whaling voyage but also a profound exploration of human nature and obsession.
Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' is also a great 19th century French fiction. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex - convict trying to redeem himself in a society that is often unforgiving. The novel is filled with rich characters and a vivid portrayal of the social conditions of the time.
One of the best is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It's a classic that explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of playing God. Another great work is Jules Verne's 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'. It takes readers on an incredible underwater adventure with Captain Nemo. Also, H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine' is remarkable as it delves into time travel and the possible future of humanity.
One well - known work could be 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. It has elements that were considered quite suspect in its time. The tales told by the various pilgrims often contained moral and social critiques that were a bit edgy for the 14th century, but its influence carried on and it remained popular in the 17th century as well. It's a collection of stories that give a great view into the different social classes and their behaviors.
Well, 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov is considered a great 20th - century fiction novel, though it's a controversial one. It tells a complex story of an older man's obsession with a young girl. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez is also among the best. It's a magical realist work that weaves a multi - generational family story in a fictional town. 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is a classic too. It uses animals on a farm to satirize totalitarian regimes.
Well, 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway is a great example. It tells the story of an American ambulance driver on the Italian front during World War I. Then there's 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell which vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Also, 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez, while it has elements of magic realism, also offers a view of Latin American history in the 20th century.
George Orwell's '1984' is a classic. It presents a dystopian future where the government controls every aspect of people's lives. It's a warning about totalitarianism and the importance of freedom of thought.
One of the notable works could be 'The True History' by Lucian. It contains elements that can be considered early science - fiction, like travels to the moon and strange adventures.
One of the notable works is 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift. It contains elements that can be considered early science - fictional, like the different strange lands and societies Gulliver encounters. Another is Voltaire's 'Micromégas', which features an alien giant visiting Earth and making observations about human nature and society.
One of the best is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in 19th - century England. The relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is both complex and engaging.