Some of the best English historical fiction books include 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It offers a vivid portrayal of the court of Henry VIII. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' which, while also a love story, gives a good look at the social mores of the early 19th - century England. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also excellent. It's set in a medieval monastery and is full of mystery and historical details.
One great non - English science fiction book is 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It presents a complex and fascinating view of the universe, with alien civilizations and scientific concepts that are both mind - boggling and thought - provoking.
Some of the best English science fiction books include '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over people. Another great one is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which explores a society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for their roles. 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is also highly regarded, with its complex world - building and political intrigue in a desert planet setting.
A very good non - English science fiction book is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. Wait, sorry, that's in English. Well, then 'Hard - Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World' by Haruki Murakami. It has elements of science fiction with its strange parallel worlds and mind - bending concepts that are very unique.
I think 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is also among the best. Harper Lee's novel deals with racial injustice in the American South. It's told from the perspective of a young girl, Scout Finch, and her father, Atticus, who defends a black man wrongly accused of a crime. It's a powerful and moving story.
Well, one characteristic of the best English fiction novels is their ability to transport the reader to different times and places. '1984' takes you to a dystopian future, making you feel the oppression. They usually have beautiful language. In 'Jane Eyre', Charlotte Bronte's use of language is both vivid and evocative. Moreover, they tend to make you think. 'Lord of the Flies' makes you question human nature and what would happen if society breaks down.
A good starting point could be 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens. It exposes the dark side of 19th - century London, like the workhouses and poverty. The story is engaging and the characters are well - drawn. 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott also has some historical context, especially in terms of family life and gender roles in the 19th century. It's a heartwarming story that new readers of historical fiction might enjoy. And 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is set in a large English manor and shows the transformation of the characters in that historical setting.
Some excellent English fictions include 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It shows the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte is a wonderful novel too. It tells the story of an independent - minded young woman's journey through love and self - discovery. And then there's 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding, which is a thought - provoking exploration of human nature when civilization breaks down.
Well, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is definitely among the best. It's a hilarious and absurd take on space travel and the universe. Then there's 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card. It tells the story of a child prodigy in a military - like space training program. Also, 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is a must - read. It's about a scientist who tries to shorten the period of darkness in a galactic empire's fall through the use of psychohistory.
One of the best - sellers in Indian English fiction is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It's a beautifully written novel that delves deep into family, love, and the caste system in India. The story is set in Kerala and is told in a non - linear fashion which makes it both engaging and thought - provoking.