This collection would provide a comprehensive journey through some of the most influential narratives that have shaped not only literature but also philosophy, ethics, and cultural norms across centuries.
"The Iliad" by Homer
Epic poem central to the Western literary canon.
"The Odyssey" by Homer
Epic tale of Odysseus' journey back home following the Trojan War.
"The Aeneid" by Virgil
Roman epic poem that has shaped literature and art through the ages.
"The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri
An Italian epic poem divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso.
"Beowulf" - Anonymous
Old English epic poem, one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature.
"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer
A collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.
"Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory
Compilation of tales about King Arthur, significantly influencing the Arthurian legend.
"Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes
One of the first modern novels and a satire of chivalric romance.
"Paradise Lost" by John Milton
Epic poem in blank verse retelling the biblical story of the Fall of Man.
"Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift
A satirical narrative which has influenced political and social commentary.
"Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe
Considered one of the earliest examples of realistic fiction.
"Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe
A novel that explores themes of redemption and societal critique.
"Candide" by Voltaire
A satire on philosophical optimism and a critique of the society of the time.
"The Sorrows of Young Werther" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
An epistolary novel which had a profound effect on Romanticism.
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
A narrative poem that explores themes of crime, punishment, and redemption.
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
A classic romance novel critiquing societal norms around marriage and class.
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Often considered the first science fiction novel, exploring themes of creation and responsibility.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
A tale of love and vengeance on the Yorkshire moors.
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
A bildungsroman with themes of independence and social critique.
"Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville
An adventure tale with deep philosophical undertones.
"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
A psychological novel exploring moral dilemmas and redemption.
"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A critique of Puritan society, focusing on sin and guilt.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe
An influential book in the abolitionist movement.
"Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
Epic novel dealing with law, justice, and societal change.
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens
Historical fiction set during the French Revolution, highlighting themes of sacrifice and resurrection.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
A critique of slavery and societal hypocrisy through the eyes of a young boy.
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker
The seminal vampire novel that has shaped the genre.
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
A novel exploring themes of beauty, morality, and the consequences of hedonism.
"The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells
An early science fiction novel discussing social commentary through time travel.
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
A novella examining imperialism, racism, and human nature.
