Recommend some books to me

[womzilla]

Assume that I have read no novel published in the 19th century, in any language--I'm embarrassed by the degree this is almost completely true. (I will probably list the few I have read in a comment to this post.)

What are the first 20 or 30 novels I should read to close this chasm of ignorance? And where should I look for other recommendations? I've found a couple of "great novels of the 19th century" lists, but not many.

Oh, it probably doesn't make sense to recommend more than two novels by the same author. And for these purposes, "novel" can include "single, outstanding collection of short fiction and/or drama".

Edited to add: Lots of great stuff recommended so far, though unsurprisingly heavy on English-language works, though French and Russian have shown up. I'm haven't seen any recommendations for anything originally in Italian, German, or Spanish--is there really no one noteworthy in German literature between Goethe and Mann? Or Spanish between Cervantes and Borges?

Comments

[maureenkspeller.livejournal.com]

There are lots of great suggestions here already, but I'll throw in one or two more ideas.

Fenimore Cooper is tedious but necessary if you want a proper historical overview. If you don't, there are far more enjoyable things to read, really. On the other hand, I love Moby Dick.

I'd suggest something from Elizabeth Gaskell, and I'd go with Mary Barton because it gives such a vivid picture of working-class life in industrial Britain – worth pairing with Dickens, something like Hard Times.

My favourite Austens are Northanger Abbey (because it's funny – no, really), and Mansfield Park, which isn't, but I still rate it.

I absolutely second The Count of Monte Cristo which is baggy but wonderful. Hugo's Les Miserables is long but enjoyable too.

Hardy – if you fancy something light/early, try Under the Greenwood Tree but if you want Hardy in all his pomp, my personal favourite is The Return of the Native, for the mighty descriptions of Egdon Heath. Jude the Obscure is so depressing, it's unbelievable, and I have still not reread it. Hardy's poetry is also worth looking at, seriously. It is amazingly good stuff.

Dickens – Great Expectations is quite atmospheric. I read it last year and could hardly put it down, much to my surprise.

Henry James – Washington Square surprised me by being quite readable.

And probably loads of other things that temporarily elude me.

[esmeraldus-neo.livejournal.com]

Everything brisingamen says is true, with special emphasis on the humor in Northanger Abbey and the depressing-ness of Jude the Obscure.

Really, I would avoid Hardy until you get through some of the other stuff. He's good, but it's got to be the most depressing thing I have ever read, bar none.