The nineteenth century was a rich and glorious period of high literature. Many novels that are revered as classics today were penned in this century itself. Here is a list of the ten best novels written in this century that are a must-buy and a must-read:
1.) War and Peace: War and Peace is not a novel, it’s an epic-novel and it’s epic in every sense of the word. Tolstoy’s most famous work, this one took the first spot in Newsweek’s “Top 100 Books” list in 2009. Due to its length (it’s one of the longest novels ever to be written), War and Peace is a challenging read. However, once you have read it, only some exceptional force can stop you from becoming its fan.
2.) Crime and Punishment: Fans of this novel call it a second Bible, but those who dislike it do so with vengeance. In this respect, Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky’s famous masterpiece, tends to incite extreme emotions in all readers. The initial chapters of the book follow its nihilistic protagonist as he commits a crime in desperation. The rest of the book follows him as he consequently suffers a largely self-inflicted punishment. It is a long but engaging read that draws you into its world.
3.) Wuthering Heights: This one’s the gothic story of love and revenge that has acquired cult status now. The only novel written by Emily Bronte, the second of the Bronte sisters, Wuthering Heights has inspired many works of art since its release in 1847. It’s a racy symbolic read that is likely to leave you shaken and stirred.
4.) Pride and Prejudice: Some readers consider Jane Austen’s novels classic chick-lits. But doing so is not only wrongful, it is also demeaning to one of the best writers of all times. Pride and Prejudice is Austen’s most widely read work. Both men and women love the novel for its classic romantic plot and Austen’s witty style of writing that makes all her novels thoroughly engaging and entertaining. This one’s a feel-good book whose protagonists, Elizabeth and Darcy, are counted among the most memorable fictional couples of 19th century literature.
5.) Pere Goriot: Balzac was a prolific French writer who wrote many masterpieces during his lifetime. Pere Goriot is perhaps the best book to come out of his prolific pen. The plot of the book may seem inspired from Shakespeare’s King Lear but it is not the story that makes this book a classic—it is Balzac’s outstanding hold over the narration and characters and his pearls of wisdom with which he intersperses the narrative that make Pere Goriot an exceptional wok of art. This one’s a racy and emotional read that you would like to read again and again.
6.) Great Expectations: Selecting one novel among the many outstanding ones that Dickens wrote is an extremely difficult job. But any Top 10 list on 19th century is incomplete without Dickens and thus one book of his had to be selected. Great Expectations, one of Dickens’ best works, is a first-person bildungsroman about an orphan whose quest in life is to become a gentleman. Realistic characters, amazing plot-twists and Dickens’s now-renowned humor make this novel a charming read.
7.) Madame Bovary: Madame Bovary is one of those rare novels that get imprinted in readers’ memories almost indelibly. It is poetic, it is beautiful and, yet, it is tragic and sad. The book is about the discontented protagonist, Emma, and her adulterous relationships with two different men. Madame Bovary questions conventional views about adultery and extra-marital relationships and is thus a much-recommended read!
8.) The Picture of Dorian Gray: Oscar Wilde is more famous for his witty one-liners than his novels and plays. Many readers do not even think of reading anything by Wilde. Such readers deprive themselves of some amazing works of 19th century. The Picture of Dorian Gray is Wilde’s only published novel. But, it is one classic that would leave you spellbound. In one word, it is awesome!
9.) Heart of Darkness: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness can not be compared to any other literary work, it is so utterly unconventional. It is also not an easy-to-understand book. In fact, it makes for a depressing read and almost borders on incomprehensibility. Yet, it is an important modernist work that almost defines an entire genre. It is also important because it works on innumerable symbolic levels. Heart of Darkness tends to create a feeling in one’s heart that can not be described easily. Read it for a disturbingly haunting experience!
10.) Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is the compelling story of “plain Jane” as she negotiates with one problem after another that life throws her way. The novel has many gothic elements that make it a fascinating work of literature. The narrative is riddled with symbolic images and descriptions that are interesting to interpret.
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