I would say Emma,
S&S, and Northanger.

We got through nine grade-level novels a year at the elite private school where I used to teach, plus short stories and poems.

I’m currently teaching in a low-income rural district where we’ll make it through one novel a semester.

I’m more concerned about the social-economic divide in reading op

Fuck Mars. Save the Earth. Stop climate change instead of advancing it. Pay taxes and feed hungry school children a good breakfast.

Go Meryl!

Oh, but the setting!

When “Christian” was redefined as the worship of Donald trump and political power.
The name doesn’t mean much these days and is often a misnomer; look at the content for the reality.

Personally, I think there’s an argument to be made for Austen pulling more characterization and plot from Sicilian than Udolpho, but who knows?!

I see your Udolpho, and I raise you Sicilian.

But also- if you thought it was going to be any other way when donald started his campaign for president riding down in a gold elevator and calling people of color rapists and criminals, you might not have a solid grasp on human character or reality.

Oh, friend.

Or we could just say H.G. Wells was right.

Overrated.