Another great one is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. This novel is not only about the hunt for a white whale but also delves deep into themes like obsession, fate, and the power of nature. It has complex symbolism and a very unique narrative style.
On Goodreads, 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot is an epic. It's a detailed portrait of a provincial town and its inhabitants. The story weaves together multiple plotlines and characters, showing the social and political climate of the time.
Some of the well - known 'goodreads best epic novels' include 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's a classic with a vast and detailed world full of different races and a great battle between good and evil. Another one could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, which not only tells a story of war but also delves deep into the lives and relationships of the characters during that era.
One popular lesbian romance novel on Goodreads is 'Ash' by Malinda Lo. It weaves a beautiful story of a young girl's journey in a world filled with magic and self - discovery, along with a tender lesbian relationship.
The first step to exploring early novels on Goodreads is to use the search function effectively. Look for tags like 'early novels' or specific time periods such as '18th - century novels'. This will help you narrow down the list. You can also check out user - generated lists that focus on early works.
Modern British novels on Goodreads offer a rich tapestry of stories. Some popular ones might include works by Zadie Smith. Her novels often explore themes of multiculturalism and identity in modern Britain. For example, 'White Teeth' is a well - known work that delves into the lives of different ethnic groups living in London. It's a great representation of the modern British experience as it shows how different cultures interact and influence one another.
'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang is also a great epic 2018 novel. It combines elements of Chinese history and mythology to create a complex and thrilling story. It's a story of war, power, and the cost of ambition, with a unique magic system.
I would recommend 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. It's a short but powerful epic - like allegory. It uses animals on a farm to represent different aspects of society and politics, making it easy to understand the deeper meaning. Also, 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle is a good option. It's a science - fiction epic that takes the young protagonists on a journey through different dimensions to save their father and the universe, and it has a lot of relatable themes for beginners.
One great non - English fantasy novel is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's an Italian novel set in a medieval monastery. The mystery and the detailed historical setting make it a classic. Another is 'The Master and Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgakov from Russia. It combines elements of fantasy, satire, and the supernatural in a very unique way. There's also 'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King, although he's American, the series has a very European - style fantasy feel to it in many ways.
One great Native American YA novel is 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part - Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie. It's a semi - autobiographical story that follows a young Native American boy as he leaves his reservation school to attend an all - white school in the nearby town. It deals with themes like identity, cultural clash, and the challenges of growing up between two worlds.
One cannot forget 'The Incal' either. It's a science - fiction epic that combines mind - boggling concepts, great art, and a complex story. It has influenced a lot of subsequent science - fiction works in the graphic novel genre.