THE RED AND THE BLACK by StendhalRead about another entry on the list.
A compelling novel of love, ambition, obstinacy and romantic tragedy. It features a fascinating fictional hero, a brilliant meritocrat who is brought down by the reactionary French establishment. I first read it in Paris 45 years ago.
The Red and the Black is among Piers Paul Read's top ten novels about unfaithful wives, André Aciman five best books on lovers touching hands, John Banville's five best books on early love and the flush of infatuation, Warren Adler's five best books about ambition, and Norman Mailer's top ten works of literature.
--Marshal Zeringue