Novels that Shaped Literature
The 19th century established the novel as one of the most influential genres in world literature, with profound stories about the human condition. In Russia, Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote The Brothers Karamazov, a masterpiece that explored morality and religion, while Leo Tolstoy left his mark on literature with War and Peace, an epic about the Napoleonic invasion, and Anna Karenina, one of the most tragic novels in history.
In the United States, Herman Melville brought Moby Dick, a classic about obsession and revenge on the high seas. Nathaniel Hawthorne, in The Scarlet Letter, addressed the hypocrisy of Puritan society. In the United Kingdom, the Brontë sisters left their mark: Emily, with Wuthering Heights, and Charlotte, with Jane Eyre, both exploring intense passions and women ahead of their time.
In Victorian England, Charles Dickens captivated audiences with David Copperfield and Great Expectations, novels that portrayed the social hardships of the time. In Scotland, Robert Louis Stevenson brought adventure and mystery with Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, stories that remain iconic to this day. The 19th century defined modern literature and continues to influence generations of writers and readers.
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