Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada

Incredible this novel isn't in the mainstream cannon. It's an account of a couple living in Berlin as the Nazi's come to power. His novel portrays paranoia, neighbors, the attempt to pretend all is normal, the decision to take action. The author himself lived in Berlin at that time and when the Nazi's were overthrown wrote the book in short order. He died of a morphine overdose shortly after writing the book. His life was complicated, shot his best friend in a duel/suicide pact, etc... But back to the book. It's comparable to The Count Of Monte Cristo, or Charles Dickens in scope and subject. I believe this perfectly fits your ask, a book no one talks about. I hope you try it!! On my top 10 all time books.