Which novels are considered the most important 20th century novels?

Some of the most important 19th - century novels 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 a complex and profound exploration of man's struggle against nature and his own obsessions.

One of the top 20th century novels is 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. It has a unique narrative structure. 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad is also in that list. It explores the darkness within human nature. And 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf, which gives an in - depth look at a day in the life of a woman.

One of the notable ones could be 'A Room of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf. It's highly influential as it explores the need for women to have financial independence and a private space to be creative. Woolf delved into the challenges women faced in a male - dominated literary and social world.

Definitely 'Les Misérables'. It's so well - known for its vivid characters and exploration of social issues. Another is 'Madame Bovary' which is famous for its psychological depth. And 'The Red and the Black' is also a great one as it shows the complex social structure of the time.

Several 19th - century novels are top - notch. 'Dracula' is a great one as it popularized the vampire genre. It creates a sense of fear and mystery that still holds today. 'The Scarlet Letter' is excellent as it makes readers think about sin and how society deals with it. 'Middlemarch' is a masterpiece. It shows the interconnectedness of different lives in a community and how small actions can have far - reaching consequences. Through its many characters, it paints a detailed picture of 19th - century society.

Critique of society. Many novels were a response to the changing social and political landscapes. They were used as a means to comment on capitalism, imperialism, and totalitarian regimes. For example, Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' was a scathing critique of a dystopian future shaped by technology and consumerism.

In English literature, 'The Pilgrim's Progress' is a very important 17th - century novel. It's a deeply religious work that has been widely read for its spiritual insights. Another is 'Leicester's Commonwealth', which was a political - based work that gives an interesting view of the times. And Aphra Behn's works like 'The Rover' are also significant as she was one of the first professional female writers in English.

Definitely 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. It shows the plight of the poor during the Great Depression. It's a story of a family's journey in search of a better life. Another great one is 'Absalom, Absalom!' by William Faulkner. It's a complex exploration of family history, race, and the South.

In the 19th century Irish literary scene, Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' stands out. The way it builds up the horror and the character of Dracula has made it a classic. It has influenced countless horror stories and movies. Then there's 'Castle Rackrent' by Maria Edgeworth. This novel was a pioneer in showing the Irish rural life and the decaying aristocracy. It gives a unique perspective on the social structure in Ireland at that time.

I think 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J. D. Salinger is also very popular. While it's more of a coming - of - age story, it has a lot of comical and sarcastic elements in Holden Caulfield's observations about the world around him. Another popular one is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which has some comical moments in the midst of its serious exploration of racism in the South. However, this one is more on the border of being a pure comedy novel.