Imagination knows no boundaries. Nor does fiction. Satire, romance, crime, folk, fantasy, adventure, sci-fi, tragedy, comedy... there is so much to fiction than can be put in words. Here are ten books of fiction that have enjoyed a huge popularity for ages.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a perfect successor to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain certainly advances his literary skills with Huckleberry Finn and captivates the readers with this tale of two companions Huck and Jim and their journey down the Mississippi River. Whereas the children are fascinated by Huck’s escapades, the adult readers always find a new layer of allegory or a new meaning in this social commentary.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of twelve stories presented by Dr. Watson in form of a narrative. All of these twelve mysteries put to test Holmes’ intelligence, astute observation, instincts, and research skills. But as always, Sherlock Holmes is able to solve these mysteries with his unmatched detective skills.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s delightful and engaging love story-Pride and Prejudice is about money and marriage. The story is set amidst the class-conscious England of the late 18th century. Rich but arrogant Mr. Darcy meets intelligent and strong-willed Elizabeth and is drawn toward her. But Elizabeth’s prejudice doesn’t allow the two to come close. Lydia’s elopement gives Darcy an opportunity to prove his worth to Elizabeth and by then she too realizes that she loves him.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brings to mind the images of a cheeky boy Tom who is always up to some mischief, a new trick, or a new adventure. He often exasperates his Aunt Polly because of his escapades and mischievousness. The reasons for the novel’s enduring popularity are that it represents the carefree world of boyhood and it introduces Huck Finn who with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was to become the folk hero of America.
Ulysses by James Joyce
The most challenged book of the 20 th century, Ulysses was banned for a few years in United States and Britain for being obscene and blasphemous. Today it is taught around the world in various universities and appreciated for its daring experimentation and modernism. In this modernist masterpiece, Joyce uses the stream of consciousness technique to heighten the drama of human thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This novel by Lewis Carroll is about Alice and her fantastic adventures in the Wonderland. Her adventures change her perceptions of the world, which till then, she had thought to be stable and orderly. Once you stop questioning everything about this book, you’ll start enjoying this curious tale which is full of bizarre creatures such as the White rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, among others.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
This detective fiction by Agatha Christie introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence, who are out of work after WWI In an attempt to make some money, they decide to become "adventurers" and stumble on to a real mystery. It has a gripping story with well drawn characters of the two amateur adventurers.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Published in 1895, The Time Machine is a masterpiece of science fiction. The protagonist-the Time Traveler finds himself in the year 802,701 AD where he encounters two opposing races- the Elois and the Morlocks which Wells feared will be the outcome of continued class-division. The Time Machine is a dystopia where the leisured and blissful Elois live on the ground and enjoy the sun, whereas the devilish Morlocks live below the ground in darkness and keep working hard so that Elois can be fed. The book is a Marxist warning of what will happen to mankind if the capitalist forces continue to exploit the working class.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights is a story of Heathcliff’s and Catherine’s doomed love. Set against the haunted background of the English moors, this novel is real page turner full of passionate love, madness, and revenge.
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
Gulliver’s Travels is a detailed first person account of the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, an English surgeon whose love of sea travels takes him to strange, undiscovered lands. There he gets to meet the tiny Lilliputians, the crude giants of Brobdingnag, the absent-minded scientists of Laputa, the intelligent and philosophical Houyhnhnms, and the deformed and beastly Yahoos. Through these adventurous travels of Gulliver, Jonathan Swift satirizes society, politics, governance, religion, morality and human irrationality. Some of the issues discussed by the author are relevant even in present times and that makes this book a timeless classic.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a perfect successor to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain certainly advances his literary skills with Huckleberry Finn and captivates the readers with this tale of two companions Huck and Jim and their journey down the Mississippi River. Whereas the children are fascinated by Huck’s escapades, the adult readers always find a new layer of allegory or a new meaning in this social commentary.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of twelve stories presented by Dr. Watson in form of a narrative. All of these twelve mysteries put to test Holmes’ intelligence, astute observation, instincts, and research skills. But as always, Sherlock Holmes is able to solve these mysteries with his unmatched detective skills.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s delightful and engaging love story-Pride and Prejudice is about money and marriage. The story is set amidst the class-conscious England of the late 18th century. Rich but arrogant Mr. Darcy meets intelligent and strong-willed Elizabeth and is drawn toward her. But Elizabeth’s prejudice doesn’t allow the two to come close. Lydia’s elopement gives Darcy an opportunity to prove his worth to Elizabeth and by then she too realizes that she loves him.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer brings to mind the images of a cheeky boy Tom who is always up to some mischief, a new trick, or a new adventure. He often exasperates his Aunt Polly because of his escapades and mischievousness. The reasons for the novel’s enduring popularity are that it represents the carefree world of boyhood and it introduces Huck Finn who with the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was to become the folk hero of America.
Ulysses by James Joyce
The most challenged book of the 20 th century, Ulysses was banned for a few years in United States and Britain for being obscene and blasphemous. Today it is taught around the world in various universities and appreciated for its daring experimentation and modernism. In this modernist masterpiece, Joyce uses the stream of consciousness technique to heighten the drama of human thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This novel by Lewis Carroll is about Alice and her fantastic adventures in the Wonderland. Her adventures change her perceptions of the world, which till then, she had thought to be stable and orderly. Once you stop questioning everything about this book, you’ll start enjoying this curious tale which is full of bizarre creatures such as the White rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, among others.
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
This detective fiction by Agatha Christie introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence, who are out of work after WWI In an attempt to make some money, they decide to become "adventurers" and stumble on to a real mystery. It has a gripping story with well drawn characters of the two amateur adventurers.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Published in 1895, The Time Machine is a masterpiece of science fiction. The protagonist-the Time Traveler finds himself in the year 802,701 AD where he encounters two opposing races- the Elois and the Morlocks which Wells feared will be the outcome of continued class-division. The Time Machine is a dystopia where the leisured and blissful Elois live on the ground and enjoy the sun, whereas the devilish Morlocks live below the ground in darkness and keep working hard so that Elois can be fed. The book is a Marxist warning of what will happen to mankind if the capitalist forces continue to exploit the working class.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights is a story of Heathcliff’s and Catherine’s doomed love. Set against the haunted background of the English moors, this novel is real page turner full of passionate love, madness, and revenge.
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
Gulliver’s Travels is a detailed first person account of the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, an English surgeon whose love of sea travels takes him to strange, undiscovered lands. There he gets to meet the tiny Lilliputians, the crude giants of Brobdingnag, the absent-minded scientists of Laputa, the intelligent and philosophical Houyhnhnms, and the deformed and beastly Yahoos. Through these adventurous travels of Gulliver, Jonathan Swift satirizes society, politics, governance, religion, morality and human irrationality. Some of the issues discussed by the author are relevant even in present times and that makes this book a timeless classic.
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