23. Wuthering Heights (1939)
Wuthering Heights was published in 1847 by Emily Brontë, who was writing under the alias Ellis Bell at the time. Inspired by Gothic fiction and Romanticism, Wuthering Heights tells its dark story in the backdrop of a moody setting.
Although now it’s considered one of the greatest novels of all time, it was originally released to controversy as it was somewhat offensive to Victorian sensibilities as it challenged their way of life. The novel was adapted to film in 1939 and doubled down on its dark tone to great critical acclaim.