I will ask here because I feel like there might be enough literary nerds around. I need to read a good amount for an exam I need to do to get into university for the English subject.
I am looking for 1 book from before 1900 and one after (fiction, non fantasy) that will pass their "literary enough" sniff test, that preferably isn't written by a cishet white man. I was thinking Frankenstein at first—but I am guessing they categorize it as "fantasy" or a book with a movie—since she isn't on the definitely pre-approved list and I can't imagine missing her (which is strange because Douglas Adams, George Orwell, J.R.R Tolkien are, but I digress).
Virginia Woolf is so I think I'll read one of her books for post 1900, give me a suggestion for one to read (haven't read her at all).
But that leaves one pre-1900 novel, so feel free to suggest one for either.