A very significant one is 'And Quiet Flows the Don' by Mikhail Sholokhov. It tells the story of the Cossacks during the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the Civil War. It's known for its detailed and vivid descriptions of the Cossack life, their traditions, and how they were affected by the great upheavals of the early 20th century. Another interesting work is 'The White Guard' by Mikhail Bulgakov, which gives an account of the civil war from a different perspective.
A very important early 20th century fantasy novel is 'A Voyage to Arcturus' by David Lindsay. It's a complex and highly imaginative work that explores strange new worlds and spiritual concepts. Then there's 'The King of Elfland's Daughter' by Lord Dunsany. This novel combines elements of fairy - tale and high fantasy, with its beautiful prose and unique world - building.
One of the most famous early 20th - century horror novels is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. His works often feature cosmic horror elements. Also, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, although written in the 19th century, was still highly influential in the early 20th century horror genre.
Boris Pasternak is a notable author. He wrote 'Doctor Zhivago', which is famous for its exploration of love and the impact of historical events on individuals. Mikhail Bulgakov is another. His 'The Master and Margarita' is a unique blend of the supernatural and the historical in a Russian context.
Thomas Mann is a very notable author. His novel 'Buddenbrooks' is a classic that chronicles the decline of a bourgeois family over generations, providing a deep look into German society at the time.
Well, 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman' is an interesting 18th - century novel. It has a unique narrative style that plays with the conventions of storytelling. Also, 'Candide' by Voltaire is a very important work. It's a philosophical novel that uses satire to comment on various aspects of society, such as war, religion, and human nature. These novels give us great insights into the culture, values, and social structures of the 18th century.
There's also 'Njal's Saga' from Iceland in the 12th century. It's a complex narrative full of family feuds, legal disputes, and heroic characters. It offers a great view into the social and cultural aspects of Icelandic society during that period.
One of the notable 10th - century works could be 'The Tale of Genji' from Japan. It is often considered the world's first novel. It gives a detailed look into the Heian period's court life, with complex characters and relationships.
One of the best is 'Doctor Zhivago' by Boris Pasternak. It beautifully portrays the life in Russia during the revolutionary period. The love story of Zhivago and Lara is intertwined with the historical events. Another great one is 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov. It's a complex and satirical work, full of magical realism elements. And 'Cancer Ward' by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is also notable. It shows the life in a Soviet hospital, while also making profound statements about society.
They often have complex characters. For example, in 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky, Raskolnikov is a deeply troubled and multi - faceted character. The novels also tend to explore big social and moral issues, like the divide between the rich and the poor, and the nature of sin and redemption.
One of the great early 20th - century novels is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Another is 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by James Joyce, which is a semi - autobiographical account of a young man's intellectual and artistic development. Also, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf is notable for its stream - of - consciousness narrative technique.