George Eliot’s Middlemarch is a deeply layered novel exploring the lives of residents in a fictional English town during the early 19th century. It centers on Dorothea Brooke, an idealistic woman seeking intellectual and spiritual fulfillment, and Tertius Lydgate, a reform-minded doctor. The novel examines marriage, ambition, politics, and the limitations of social convention. Renowned for its psychological realism and philosophical depth, Middlemarch is often hailed as one of the greatest English novels, offering a rich portrait of provincial life and moral complexity.
(pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans) An English novelist, one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She is renowned for her profound psychological realism and her insightful exploration of moral dilemmas, social dynamics, and the complexities of provincial life. Her masterpieces, including Middlemarch and Silas Marner, are celebrated for their intellectual depth, rich characterizations, and empathetic portrayal of human frailty and aspirations, solidifying her place as a literary giant.
by Yaa Gyasi
Spanning 300 years and two continents, Homegoing traces the divergent fates of two half-sisters—one sold into slavery, the other married to a British colonizer. Each chapter follows a descendant, capturing the rippling effects of slavery, racism, and resilience through generations. Gyasi’s powerful debut is an ambitious, emotionally rich exploration of identity, heritage, and the enduring scars of history.
Set in the rich farmland of the Salinas Valley, California, this powerful, often brutal novel, follows the interwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations hopelessly re-enact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes- the mystery of indentity; the inexplicability of love, and the murderous consequences of love's absence.
by Leo Tolstoy
Acclaimed by many as the world's greatest novel, Anna Karenina provides a vast panorama of contemporary life in Russia and of humanity in general. In it Tolstoy uses his intense imaginative insight to create some of the most memorable characters in all of literature. Anna is a sophisticated woman who abandons her empty existence as the wife of Karenin and turns to Count Vronsky to fulfil her passionate nature - with tragic consequences. Levin is a reflection of Tolstoy himself, often expressing the author's own views and convictions.
A landmark anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin tells the story of enslaved man Tom and the brutal realities of slavery in 19th-century America. With vivid characters and emotional power, it galvanized abolitionist movements and shaped public opinion like no other book of its time. Though controversial for its portrayals today, it remains a pivotal work in American literature and history, sparking empathy and national debate.