No one provides quite the insight into the human psyche as Dostoevsky.

This is a really great story. Although the main character is a bit on the shallow/materialistic side, it's nice to see an intelligent female character written by a man during the 19th century.

Again with the knights and chivalry. This is the entire King Arthur legend, and includes The Sword in the Stone.

I've been meaning to read this one again for a while. It's the story of four sisters growing up.

An interesting study on the view of women/purity/chastity during the 19th century. Tess, from a poor family, is raped by a rich man. Everyone seems to think it is her fault, and that she is a terrible person. Perhaps most fascinating, the novel manages somehow never to even say the words sex or rape, but tell the entire story through insinuations and innuendo.

Emily is my favorite Bronte.

My favorite book by Charlotte, although I hated the ending. I think that might have been her intention.

Anne reminds me a little bit of Austen. Although she isn't celebrated as much as her sisters, I thought Agnes Grey was a great book. It tells a nice story in plain English, something neither of her sisters ever does. And we also see what it was like to be a governess during the 19th century - a figure that fit neither into high society or low society.

The story of a woman who does not fit into her position in the world of her time period.

The tragic autobiographical story of a woman who is imprisoned during Stalin's Gulag.

Frederick Douglass's story of his life. A great book to help you try and understand what it was like to be a slave.

The once controversial book that angered so many in the South before the Civil War, it is also a compelling story.

The story of a black man on trial for murder in a very racist atmosphere.

Although they are nominally meant to be for children, these novels are worth reading for adults because of their commentary on organized religion and the meaning of original sin.