What are the characteristics of good challenging novels?

Challenging English novels usually have a high - level vocabulary. You'll come across words that you may not be familiar with, like in 'Infinite Jest'. They also tend to have deep and abstract themes. 'Absalom, Absalom!' for instance, deals with complex family relationships and the burden of history in the South. Additionally, some of them use non - traditional narrative techniques. 'The Sound and the Fury' jumps between different narrators and time periods, which can be confusing.

One challenging yet good novel is 'Ulysses' by James Joyce. It's known for its complex stream - of - consciousness narrative and rich allusions. Another is 'Infinite Jest' by David Foster Wallace. It has a vast scope, complex characters, and explores deep themes like addiction and entertainment. Also, 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner, with its non - linear storytelling and multiple narrators, makes it a very challenging but rewarding read.

A challenging romance novel is 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger. The time - traveling aspect makes their relationship extremely complex. Henry jumps through time uncontrollably, which is a huge obstacle for their love. 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon is also challenging. Claire, a modern woman, is thrown back in time and has to navigate a new world while falling in love with Jamie. And 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte has Jane facing class differences and secrets in her relationship with Mr. Rochester.

One of the well - known challenging dystopian novels is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a totalitarian society where the government controls every aspect of people's lives, from their thoughts to their actions. Another is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which depicts a world where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for specific roles, and pleasure is used as a form of control. 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood is also very challenging. It shows a society where women are subjugated and used for reproduction in a theocratic regime.

One of the most challenging classic novels is 'Ulysses' by James Joyce. Its complex stream - of - consciousness narrative and dense allusions make it a tough read. Another is 'Finnegans Wake' also by Joyce, with its highly experimental language. And 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is challenging due to its detailed descriptions of whaling and the philosophical musings within it.

One challenging graphic novel is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. It uses animals to represent different groups during the Holocaust, which makes the reader really think about the complex and tragic events. The format of a graphic novel might seem simple at first, but 'Maus' delves deep into themes like trauma, family, and the nature of survival.

Some great challenging novels include 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's not just a story about a whale hunt but delves deep into themes of obsession, fate, and the nature of evil. The language is archaic in parts and the digressions are numerous. 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner is also highly challenging. Faulkner uses multiple narrators and a non - linear narrative, which can be really confusing for readers new to his work.

One good challenging novel is 'Ulysses' by James Joyce. It's known for its complex stream - of - consciousness narrative and rich allusions to mythology, history, and literature. Reading it requires patience and multiple readings to fully grasp its depth.

First, don't be intimidated. Start by reading summaries or reviews to get a general idea of the plot and themes. For example, with 'Ulysses', knowing it's about a day in the life of Leopold Bloom in Dublin helps. Then, read slowly and take notes if needed. If you encounter difficult passages, try to break them down into smaller parts.

One great challenging short story is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It challenges the reader's view of tradition and mob mentality. The seemingly normal small - town setting suddenly turns into a disturbing scene as the lottery is carried out, with a dark and unexpected ending.