I would say 'Roots' is a must - read. It's so detailed in showing how a family was torn apart by slavery and how they tried to hold on to their heritage. 'The Known World' is also interesting as it challenges our normal ideas about slavery by having a black slave owner. And 'Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl' gives a female perspective which is often overlooked in general slavery stories.
Well, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is a classic. It was very influential in raising awareness about the evils of slavery. It shows different types of slaves and slave owners. Another good one is 'Beloved'. It has a very complex narrative that really makes you think about how slavery affected people long after it ended. And 'The Underground Railroad' is quite unique with its imaginative take on the Underground Railroad.
In 2019, 'The City in the Middle of the Night' was quite good. It's set on a tidally - locked planet and explores themes of power, society, and survival. The world - building is really well - done, creating a vivid and unique setting for the story to unfold.
I think 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells is quite good. It shows different future societies, one of which could be considered a utopia in some ways, with the Eloi living in a seemingly idyllic but ultimately flawed world. Another is 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It explores genderless society concepts which are related to creating a more inclusive and perhaps utopian social structure. 'Solaris' by Stanislaw Lem also has elements that make you think about utopian ideals in relation to an alien planet and the human attempts to understand it.
The novel 'Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl' by Harriet Jacobs is a must - read. It's unique as it is written from the perspective of a female slave. It reveals the particular hardships and sexual exploitation that female slaves often faced, providing a different and important view on slavery in the United States.
Yes, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is a very well - known slavery - themed fiction book. It had a huge impact on how people in the 19th century thought about slavery. It tells the story of the slave Uncle Tom and his various experiences, which is both heart - breaking and eye - opening.
For me, '1984' by George Orwell is a top choice. It's a dystopian novel that warns about the dangers of totalitarianism. The concepts in this book are still relevant today, and it makes you think about privacy, freedom, and the power of the state.
Among the best in 2016 fiction are 'LaRose' which is a very emotional and deep story about two families. 'The Vegetarian' is quite unique. It's not just about a diet choice but about a woman's inner struggle and her relationship with the world. 'Commonwealth' is also excellent as it shows how one event can have a ripple effect on multiple lives over time.
The University of Florida's MFA program is a great choice for genre fiction. It has courses that focus on the unique elements of different genres. Another is the University of Texas at Austin's MFA program. They have a community of writers interested in various forms of genre writing. And then there's the Columbia University School of the Arts MFA Writing Program. It has a lot of resources and connections in the literary world that can be helpful for genre fiction writers.
One of the best is 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It vividly portrays the harsh reality of slavery, with memorable characters like Uncle Tom. Another great one is 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison. It delves deep into the psychological and emotional aftermath of slavery, exploring themes of memory and trauma. 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is also excellent. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as a literal railroad, adding a touch of magical realism to the story of slaves' escape.
The book 'The Sympathizer' was highly rated in 2016 fiction. It's a Pulitzer - winning novel that tells the story of a communist double agent during the Vietnam War. It's known for its complex narrative and deep exploration of identity, loyalty, and the after - effects of war.
One of the best is 'The Eagle of the Ninth' by Rosemary Sutcliff. It's a classic that follows a Roman centurion's journey in Britain. It's well - researched and really brings the Roman military world to life.