Well, 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is a must - mention. It uses the concept of a literal underground railroad in a fictional and impactful way to explore themes of slavery and freedom. Then there's 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney. It beautifully depicts the relationship between two young people, with its nuanced exploration of class and identity. Also, 'Klara and the Sun' by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a thought - provoking look at artificial intelligence and humanity from the perspective of an AI.
One characteristic is the focus on social classes. Novels like 'Pride and Prejudice' show the different behaviors and expectations of the upper and middle classes. Another is the use of complex characters. They are not simply good or bad, but have a mix of qualities. Also, many 18 century novels often have a moral lesson or message at their core.
Well, 'Ulysses' by James Joyce is often considered one of the best. It's a complex and experimental work that challenges readers with its stream - of - consciousness style. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is also very popular. It tells the story of Holden Caulfield and his coming - of - age experiences. And 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which presents a disturbing view of a future society controlled by technology and conditioning.
One characteristic is the detailed descriptions of the settings. In many 19th - century novels, the landscapes and the social environments are vividly depicted. For instance, in 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte, the moors are described in a way that they almost become a character themselves. And these novels tend to have long, elaborate plots that span over a significant period of time.
They often had complex plots. For example, in the novels of Jane Austen like 'Pride and Prejudice', there are multiple storylines involving different characters' relationships. The social hierarchies were a big part of these novels, showing how different classes interacted.
One of the greatest 16th - century novels is 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes. It's a classic that humorously explores the ideals of chivalry through the adventures of the deluded knight Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza.
They also reflect the modern technological and social changes. Novels like 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline are set in a world highly influenced by video games and virtual reality, showing how technology has become an integral part of our lives and culture.
Well, 19th - century novels typically had detailed descriptions. Writers would painstakingly describe the settings, whether it was the bustling city streets or the quiet countryside. This helped to create a vivid backdrop for the story. Many of these novels also had a moral or didactic element. They aimed to teach the readers something about society, human nature or proper behavior. Take Jane Austen's novels for instance. Her works, like 'Pride and Prejudice', explored themes of love, marriage, and social propriety within the context of the 19th - century English society.
The 10 most influential novels of the 20th century include:
1 The Great Gatsby (United States) Scott Itzgerald's story of the luxurious life and social class division of the upper class in the 1920s was regarded as a classic of modern literature.
War and Peace was written by Tolstoy, Russia. It tells the story of war and peace during the Russian Revolution in the early 19th century and is considered one of the masterpieces in the history of world literature.
3 The Story of The Stone was a classic work of Chinese classical literature that told the stories of Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, and others in the Qing Dynasty.
One Hundred Years of Solitude was a novel by Colombia Garcia Márquez, which told the story of a family of seven generations and was regarded as a classic of modern literature.
Jane Eyre was a novel written by Bronte, England. It told The story of Jane Eyre, a British woman. It was regarded as a classic work of 19th century English literature.
The Catcher in The Rye was a novel by D. Salinger of the United States. It told the story of a teenager, Holden Caulfield, and was regarded as a classic work of modern literature.
1984 (Nineteen Eighty-our) was a dystopian novel by Orwell of the United Kingdom. It told the story of a dictatorial country and was regarded as a classic of modern literature.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a magical novel series by K Rowling in the United Kingdom. It tells the story of Harry Potter and is regarded as a classic of modern literature.
9 The Catcher in the Rye
Well, 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' is an interesting 18th - century novel. It has a unique narrative style that plays with the conventions of storytelling. Also, 'Candide' by Voltaire is a very important work. It's a philosophical novel that uses satire to comment on various aspects of society, such as war, religion, and human nature. These novels give us great insights into the culture, values, and social structures of the 18th century.