I think 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton is really good. It shows the social constraints and the power dynamics among the old money families in New York. Another is 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' which has a family that once had wealth and status. It's a tragic story that reveals a lot about the idea of old family names and lost fortunes.
Well, 'Brideshead Revisited' by Evelyn Waugh is a wonderful choice. It tells the story of the Flyte family, their Catholic faith, and their decaying aristocratic lifestyle. It shows the contrast between the old ways and the changing world. 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell also has elements of old money families in the South. Scarlett O'Hara's interactions with the wealthy plantation owners are an important part of the story. Additionally, 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy, though set in Russia, portrays the upper - class families and their dramas.
One great old money fiction book is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It vividly depicts the wealthy society of the 1920s, with themes of love, class, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the upper - class society in 19th - century England and the complex relationships within it. Also, 'Sense and Sensibility' by the same author gives insights into the lives and values of the well - to - do at that time.
One of the well - known is 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant. It gives a fictional account centered around the women in the Old Testament stories. It's a great read as it fleshes out the female characters who are often in the background in the traditional tellings.
The 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series by Jeff Kinney is really popular among 11 - year - olds. It's funny and relatable as it follows the life of Greg Heffley in middle school. 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is also a classic. It tells about a young girl who discovers a hidden garden and how it changes her life. Then there's 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle, a science - fictiony adventure that takes the characters across different dimensions.
The 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also a great old fiction book. It delves into the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. The character of Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of the American Dream, as well as his love for Daisy, make it a fascinating read.
The Weasleys from the Harry Potter series are one of the best. They are a large, loving, and warm family. Despite being not wealthy, they are rich in love and loyalty. They welcome Harry into their family wholeheartedly.
A popular book is 'Anne of Green Gables' by Lucy Maud Montgomery. It's about an orphan girl, Anne, who becomes part of a family on Prince Edward Island. The family relationships in the book are heart - warming and show how a family can be formed in different ways. 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen also has family aspects. The Bennet family and their concerns about marriage for their daughters are central to the story. Also, 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett has family - related themes as Mary discovers new family members and a new way of life at Misselthwaite Manor.
Often, there's a sense of chaos. For example, in 'The Glass Castle', the family is constantly on the move due to the father's inability to hold a job and his erratic behavior. This creates an unstable environment for the children.
Well, 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is definitely among the best old science fiction books. It presents a dystopian future society where people are engineered and conditioned. 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' by Walter M. Miller Jr. is also very good. It shows a post - apocalyptic world and the role of religion in such a setting. And don't forget 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells, which allows us to think about time travel and the future of humanity in an exciting way.
Some of the top old west fictions include 'The Ox - Bow Incident' by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. It's a thought - provoking story that shows the darker side of mob justice in the west. 'Centennial' by James Michener is also excellent. It's a long and detailed account of the settling of the west, covering everything from the Native American tribes to the white settlers. And don't forget 'The Searchers' by Alan Le May, which was later made into a famous movie, and tells a gripping story of a man's search for his kidnapped niece in the old west.