One candidate is 'Water Margin'. It tells the stories of 108 outlaws and their lives in the marshes. It shows the social unrest and the people's resistance against the corrupt officialdom in a vivid way.
Also, 'The Plum in the Golden Vase' is a candidate. It provides a detailed look at the domestic life, social mores, and the seamy side of society in Ming Dynasty China, though it contains some adult - related content in its original form, but if we focus on its literary value in terms of depicting society, it can be considered as a unique Chinese novel.
Another one could be 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio'. It's a collection of supernatural tales. These stories often carry moral lessons and reflect the cultural beliefs and superstitions of ancient China.
Sure. 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot is often mentioned. It's a very complex and in - depth exploration of a provincial town's life. It has a large cast of characters and delves into themes like marriage, politics, and the role of women. It's like a detailed portrait of Victorian society.
One strong candidate is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe.
Another one could be 'The Scholars'. This novel is important as it shows the life of scholars during the old times, their struggles, and their sometimes - comical pursuit of success in the imperial examination system. It gives insights into the social and cultural aspects of that era.
One possible candidate for the first vampire novel is 'The Vampyre' by John Polidori. It was an early work that presented the vampire figure in a more complex way compared to previous mentions in literature.
Robinson Crusoe is also a strong contender. It's a story about one man's survival and his experiences on an island. It's written in a way that really focuses on the individual, which is an important aspect of the modern novel concept.
One possible candidate could be 'The Golden Ass' by Apuleius. It is an ancient Roman novel that has many complex elements. Another might be some of the early Chinese novels like 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' if we consider different literary traditions around the world as part of this idea.
One possible candidate for the first fantasy novel could be 'The Epic of Gilgamesh'. It has elements of the supernatural like the gods and monsters. Another might be 'The Odyssey' which has mythical creatures and magic.
Sure. 'Endymion' could be a candidate. It has a rich tapestry of characters and events that are set against the backdrop of Victorian society. It's a long and detailed work that really immerses the reader in that era.
Some people might think that 'The Game - World Chronicles' could be among the first. It had in - depth character building based on game - like mechanics, such as attribute points and skill trees. But again, the definition of the first litrpg novel can be a bit hazy as different works had different degrees of the key litrpg elements.
James Joyce's 'Ulysses' is often considered a very misunderstood novel. Its complex narrative structure, which includes stream - of - consciousness writing and a lot of allusions to Greek mythology and Irish history, makes it hard for many readers to fully understand.