One of the most influential is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It gives a great portrayal of society and relationships in the 19th century. Another is 'The Odyssey' by Homer, an epic story full of adventure and moral lessons. Also, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is very important as it tackles issues like racism and justice in a small - town American setting.
Some great ones are 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's not just about the hunt for a whale but also about the human condition and obsession. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also very well - known. It explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. And 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is a coming - of - age story that has resonated with many young people.
I think 'The Communist Manifesto' by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is quite influential. It has had a huge impact on political thought and the development of socialist and communist ideologies around the world.
One of the most well - known history famous novels is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
Some of the most influential science fiction books include 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card. It has a unique take on military training and leadership among children, and the concept of the 'game' has been widely imitated. 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson is also very influential. It was one of the first to really explore the idea of a virtual reality - like metaverse. And 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson is crucial as it basically defined the cyberpunk genre with its vision of a high - tech, low - life future.
Agatha Christie. She is one of the most famous mystery authors. Her books like 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'And Then There Were None' are full of suspense and intricate plots. Christie's ability to create complex mysteries and memorable characters has made her a household name in the world of fiction.
One of the most influential short stories is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is a masterful exploration of guilt and madness. 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is also highly influential for its complex characters and exploration of religious and moral themes.
'One Thousand and One Nights' is extremely influential. It's a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales that have spread worldwide. These stories have influenced countless other works of literature, art, and film. Its vivid characters like Aladdin and Sinbad have become cultural icons.
I think 'All Quiet on the Western Front' is highly influential. It made people around the world truly understand the terrors of war at a personal level for the soldiers. It changed the way people thought about war, not as a glorious adventure but as a harrowing and dehumanizing experience. 'War and Peace' is also extremely influential. It's not just about the war but how war affects society, politics, and the lives of ordinary people on a grand scale.
Well, 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells is really important. It was one of the first to depict an alien invasion, which has influenced countless science fiction works since. 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is also a big one. His ideas about psychohistory and the long - term development of civilizations are very thought - provoking. And then there's 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card, which looks at military strategy and the nature of leadership in a sci - fi context.
I think 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall is quite influential. It was one of the first major works to deal with lesbianism. 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg also had an impact as it was part of the Beat Generation and had LGBTQ undertones. 'Angels in America' by Tony Kushner is a very important play with LGBTQ themes that has had a big influence on the representation of the community in theater.
The top 10 most influential fiction books are likely to include 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Its themes of the American Dream, wealth, and love are still relevant today. 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien is also very influential. It created a whole new world of fantasy that has inspired countless other works in the genre. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, with its complex exploration of obsession and the human struggle against nature, is another influential work.