There are quite a few. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a very interesting one. It's set in a medieval Italian monastery and is full of mystery and historical details. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is another. It tells the story of Thomas Cromwell in the Tudor court. And don't forget 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie, which is set against the backdrop of India's independence.
One classic is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly portrays the horror and futility of war from the perspective of a young German soldier. Another is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, which not only shows the military aspects but also the impact of war on society and individuals. 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane is also well - known. It focuses on the psychological journey of a young soldier in the American Civil War.
Well, 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is a must - mention. It has a complex universe, with political intrigue, strange creatures, and a unique desert planet setting. 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells is also very famous. It's about an alien invasion, which was quite revolutionary at the time it was written.
Then there's 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It's set in ancient Rome and is told from the perspective of Claudius, a Roman emperor. It gives an insider's view of the political intrigue, power struggles, and family drama in the Roman imperial court.
One well - known work is 'The Andromeda Strain' by Michael Crichton. It combines medical mystery and thriller elements within a historical context. Another is 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' which delves into the true story of Henrietta Lacks and the impact of her cells on medical research. Also, 'Arrowsmith' by Sinclair Lewis is an important piece of historical medical fiction that explores the life of a doctor in the early 20th century.
One classic is 'Master and Commander' by Patrick O'Brian. It's a great example with its detailed descriptions of naval life and battles during the Napoleonic Wars.
One classic is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's set in an old English manor and has a very eerie atmosphere. The ghosts in it are ambiguous, leaving readers to wonder about their true nature.
Some classic works in historical adventure fiction include 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas. This novel is set against the backdrop of post - Napoleonic France and features a story of revenge and adventure. Then there's 'Kidnapped' by Robert Louis Stevenson, which is set in Scotland and tells the story of a young man's abduction and his adventures in a turbulent time. Also, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the French Revolution, with a hero who rescues aristocrats from the guillotine.
The 'On Stranger Tides' by Tim Powers is also a notable one. It combines elements of historical pirate lore with elements of the supernatural. It follows the adventures of Jack Shandy, a pirate, as he gets involved in a quest for the Fountain of Youth. The book has a very unique and engaging plot that blends real - world pirate history with magical elements.
One well - known historical gay fiction is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It was written in the early 20th century but published posthumously. Another is 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin, which explores themes of homosexuality in a complex way within a historical context. Also, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde can be considered in this category as it contains elements that can be read through a gay - themed lens in the context of the Victorian era.
One of the greats is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. It's a hilarious take on space travel and the universe, filled with absurd situations and interesting characters. Arthur C. Clarke's '2001: A Space Odyssey' is also a classic. It delves into human evolution, artificial intelligence, and our place in the cosmos. 'Starship Troopers' by Robert Heinlein is another classic that explores military life in a future where humans fight alien bugs.