Table of Contents
1. “1984” by George Orwell
- Summary: A dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society ruled by Big Brother. It explores themes of surveillance, control, and the loss of individuality.
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
- Summary: This novel tackles racial injustice in the American South through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch. It highlights moral growth and empathy.
3. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez
- Summary: A landmark in magical realism, this novel chronicles the Buendía family’s multi-generational saga in the fictional town of Macondo.
4. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
- Summary: A classic romantic novel that critiques the British class system through the tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
5. “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy
- Summary: This epic novel interweaves the lives of Russian aristocrats during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the human condition.
6. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Summary: Set in the Jazz Age, it follows the mysterious Jay Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and love, offering a critique of the American Dream.
7. “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville
- Summary: This novel narrates Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest to hunt the white whale, Moby Dick, exploring themes of vengeance, fate, and humanity.
8. “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes
- Summary: This seminal work of Western literature follows the adventures of a delusional knight, Don Quixote, and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza.
9. “The Odyssey” by Homer
- Summary: An epic poem that recounts the hero Odysseus’s perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of perseverance and homecoming.
10. “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Summary: This novel delves into the psychological turmoil of Raskolnikov, a man who believes he can commit murder for a higher purpose, only to face moral and existential dilemmas.