Can you name a few well - known 18th century novels?

Sure. 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen is a well - known 19th - century novel. It contrasts the two title qualities in its characters. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde is another. It's a rather dark exploration of vanity and the consequences of a Faustian bargain. Also, 'Hard Times' by Charles Dickens, which shows the harsh realities of industrial society.

There were many great 19th - century novels that are more suitable for general discussion, such as 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a complex and profound exploration of man's relationship with nature and the human condition.

J.R.R. Tolkien is a well - known author of 20th - century adventure novels. His 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy is an epic adventure that has influenced generations. Another is Jack London, who wrote 'The Call of the Wild' and other adventure - filled stories. Jules Verne, though more associated with the 19th century, also had works that continued to be popular in the 20th century, like 'Around the World in Eighty Days'.

Some great 18th - century fiction novels include 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole, which is often considered the first Gothic novel. It has elements of mystery, horror and the supernatural. 'Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady' by Samuel Richardson is also significant. It's a long and detailed exploration of a young woman's life and the society she lives in. 'Joseph Andrews' by Henry Fielding is a sort of companion piece to 'Tom Jones' and also offers great insights into 18th - century English society.

Another is 'Tom Jones' by Henry Fielding. This novel is a detailed exploration of the life and adventures of the titular character, with elements of comedy, drama, and social commentary. It gives a vivid picture of 18th - century English society.

Definitely 'Pride and Prejudice'. It has been extremely popular for centuries and is known for its strong female character Elizabeth Bennet. Then there's 'Moby - Dick' which has a reputation for its complex symbolism.

There were some novels that were considered risqué at that time, but many have been lost or are not as widely read today. 'The School of Venus' was also among those that were part of the 18th - century literature with sexual undertones. These works were often a reflection of the changing social attitudes towards sexuality during that era, but they also faced moral objections from various sectors of society.

Also, '1984' by George Orwell is quite famous. It's a dystopian novel that depicts a totalitarian society where the government has extreme control over every aspect of people's lives. The concepts in this book like 'Big Brother' and 'doublethink' have become part of popular culture.

Another is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. The novel follows the life of the eponymous Jane, her love for Mr. Rochester, and her journey through life with its many hardships and moral dilemmas. It's a classic tale of love and self - discovery in the Victorian era.

Agatha Christie is a well - known 20th - century British novelist. She is famous for her detective novels like "Murder on the Embankment". Graham Greene is also significant. His works often explored moral and political themes. And Iris Murdoch, with her complex and philosophical novels, was also a prominent 20th - century British author.