What to read?

I need to pick a book written prior to 1900 for my AP Lit class to read. Due to time restraints, less than 500 pages (or not much more than that) would be preferable. I was looking at the Chinese folk tale called “Monkey” or maybe Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” but I’d like to hear some opinions. I’m pretty much up for anything worth reading, for intellectual enrichment or just because it’s freakin’ awesome.