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The 100 Greatest Novels of All Time
Here you can find our list of the 100 greatest novels of all time.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
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371 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 9, 2024
I think I’m the only reviewer so far to give it under three. Some people seem to love it some liked it. And some had issues. I was disappointed. I’ll tell you why, but this is going to be a long review.
This is really a reference list of the hundred greatest novels of all time along with reviews from other book reviewers and descriptions of what each book is about. That’s fine. It’s what books were and were not included that I didn’t understand.
Look, I know reading is subjective. We all have our own opinions, right? But this list which includes many books I have not read plus many I have read, is missing so many, so many obvious Classics , that I simply couldn’t believe it.
What I am going to do is list some of the books that were not included. Because I can’t understand why.
A tree grows in Brooklyn. That is my favorite book ever.
I know some may not like it but this book is always included in best books.
Several years ago there was a national contest that was pretty well known for the greatest book novel in history. I wish I could remember what publishing company put this out anyway, everybody got the chance to vote and at the end of the day Tree grows in Brooklyn was in the top five. It’s always in the top five but here it did not even make the top hundred.
The color purple. The only thing I could think of is that maybe this is too modern a classic for it to be included:
Once again this is an extraordinary novel and I’ve never seen a list without the color purple on it . I mean I’m actually going to go back and make sure I didn’t miss it because I was so stunned that it was nowhere to be found.
The outsiders. Also on many best off best lists. This was nowhere to be found perhaps because it’s young adult?
Kafka’s the trial was included, but not metamorphosis but I do realize The trial is almost universally loved so I think I could let that one go
The chronicles of Narnia, the lion, the witch and the wardrobe.
OK I don’t know any lover of the classics who doesn’t put this at the top of the list. This was also runner-up in the contest I spoke about. I’m not talking about the whole series I’m talking about the first book. It should have been somewhere on the list. I mean, this book served as such inspiration for children to start reading in the first place.
One flew over the cuckoo‘s nest. I was mildly surprised that this wasn’t included although I think I could let this one go.
Anything by Edgar Allan Poe OK I realize he mostly wrote poems and short stories, but still.
Where was the crucible on this list?
Where was the handmaid‘s tale which is more recent than the others but is considered a classic in the same vein as 1984?
Speaking of 1984 where was animal Farm? In all actuality, I was not crazy about that one so I can understand , but this isn’t really just about anybody’s own taste. I mean, if I was making a list, I would still include Lolita on there, even though I despise the book personally. The reason I would do that is because Lolita is considered one of the hundred greatest novels of all time. So, even if it does not appeal to me, personally, considering the critical acclaim received, and the love for the book by millions, upon millions of readers, yes it would have to make the list.
But probably the biggest shocker was the fact that John Steinbeck‘s East of Eden appears nowhere. WTF!!!!
Having only read East of Eden a few months ago, I can say that it is so far as I know Steinbeck’s best work and no I have not read all his books but I’ve read all of the really popular ones including two that appeared on the list, including Of mice and men.
Not having East of Eden appear on the list is like having a pizza without mozzarella cheese. It just doesn’t go.
I mean, I think there’s probably more. I did notice a heck of a lot of Dostoevsky
I think they were like three or four. So I don’t know I’m a little suspicious that personal preference played a role here .I was disappointed . I mean I realize that every single book could not be part of the list, but I think most, if not all the books I mentioned above should have been included.
This is really a reference list of the hundred greatest novels of all time along with reviews from other book reviewers and descriptions of what each book is about. That’s fine. It’s what books were and were not included that I didn’t understand.
Look, I know reading is subjective. We all have our own opinions, right? But this list which includes many books I have not read plus many I have read, is missing so many, so many obvious Classics , that I simply couldn’t believe it.
What I am going to do is list some of the books that were not included. Because I can’t understand why.
A tree grows in Brooklyn. That is my favorite book ever.
I know some may not like it but this book is always included in best books.
Several years ago there was a national contest that was pretty well known for the greatest book novel in history. I wish I could remember what publishing company put this out anyway, everybody got the chance to vote and at the end of the day Tree grows in Brooklyn was in the top five. It’s always in the top five but here it did not even make the top hundred.
The color purple. The only thing I could think of is that maybe this is too modern a classic for it to be included:
Once again this is an extraordinary novel and I’ve never seen a list without the color purple on it . I mean I’m actually going to go back and make sure I didn’t miss it because I was so stunned that it was nowhere to be found.
The outsiders. Also on many best off best lists. This was nowhere to be found perhaps because it’s young adult?
Kafka’s the trial was included, but not metamorphosis but I do realize The trial is almost universally loved so I think I could let that one go
The chronicles of Narnia, the lion, the witch and the wardrobe.
OK I don’t know any lover of the classics who doesn’t put this at the top of the list. This was also runner-up in the contest I spoke about. I’m not talking about the whole series I’m talking about the first book. It should have been somewhere on the list. I mean, this book served as such inspiration for children to start reading in the first place.
One flew over the cuckoo‘s nest. I was mildly surprised that this wasn’t included although I think I could let this one go.
Anything by Edgar Allan Poe OK I realize he mostly wrote poems and short stories, but still.
Where was the crucible on this list?
Where was the handmaid‘s tale which is more recent than the others but is considered a classic in the same vein as 1984?
Speaking of 1984 where was animal Farm? In all actuality, I was not crazy about that one so I can understand , but this isn’t really just about anybody’s own taste. I mean, if I was making a list, I would still include Lolita on there, even though I despise the book personally. The reason I would do that is because Lolita is considered one of the hundred greatest novels of all time. So, even if it does not appeal to me, personally, considering the critical acclaim received, and the love for the book by millions, upon millions of readers, yes it would have to make the list.
But probably the biggest shocker was the fact that John Steinbeck‘s East of Eden appears nowhere. WTF!!!!
Having only read East of Eden a few months ago, I can say that it is so far as I know Steinbeck’s best work and no I have not read all his books but I’ve read all of the really popular ones including two that appeared on the list, including Of mice and men.
Not having East of Eden appear on the list is like having a pizza without mozzarella cheese. It just doesn’t go.
I mean, I think there’s probably more. I did notice a heck of a lot of Dostoevsky
I think they were like three or four. So I don’t know I’m a little suspicious that personal preference played a role here .I was disappointed . I mean I realize that every single book could not be part of the list, but I think most, if not all the books I mentioned above should have been included.
August 15, 2016
This book is a summary and review of the top 100 classic books in literature. It is very helpful to one intending to read these books
April 20, 2016
Let's you know what books you skipped in high school.
I loved the artwork and synopses.
Hi especially you an idea what to pick out at the public library.
A must read for English scholars.
I loved the artwork and synopses.
Hi especially you an idea what to pick out at the public library.
A must read for English scholars.
September 9, 2017
You truly don't realise what's out there classic wise until you read a list, the snippet reviews by famous folk help too - I'll certainly keep re-reading this to remind myself and crossing them off my 'to read' list eventually :-)
October 8, 2017
I haven't read nearly enough of the classics! And this synopsis inspires me to do so.
January 3, 2020
An interesting delve into this type of book. I argue this will always be subjective in its choices at some point. Some are great novels, some great reads, some hugely enjoyable, some unreadable and some I would never choose to read. A number would definitely be on my own personal favourite reads of all time.
These type of critical books are great to promote and to debate with friends and with strangers. It is a book to return to time and again to dip into.
These type of critical books are great to promote and to debate with friends and with strangers. It is a book to return to time and again to dip into.
January 1, 2017
Just a list
It's just a list with standard decent choices and links to buy each one on Amazon. Your mileage will vary.
It's just a list with standard decent choices and links to buy each one on Amazon. Your mileage will vary.
January 5, 2017
Useful,however I disagreed a bit...
Some of the novels mentioned aren't what I would consider the best novels of all time, however I agreed for the most part.
Some of the novels mentioned aren't what I would consider the best novels of all time, however I agreed for the most part.
November 28, 2017
It served its purpose for me
I read this book to discover how many of the novels it covers I had already read and how many I ought to read, or want to read, whatever that all means. It is inconsistent in its presentations, occasionally giving far too little information, with recurring spelling errors, and in the case of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, with quotes from public figures that perhaps exemplify racism more than anything else. But I found its brief notes thought-provoking in relation to books that I had read, and sometimes quite engaging in relation to books that I have not yet read. So I recommend this to anyone looking for what to read next who appreciates great and significant works of literature. It is certainly a quick route to beef up your reading list.
I read this book to discover how many of the novels it covers I had already read and how many I ought to read, or want to read, whatever that all means. It is inconsistent in its presentations, occasionally giving far too little information, with recurring spelling errors, and in the case of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, with quotes from public figures that perhaps exemplify racism more than anything else. But I found its brief notes thought-provoking in relation to books that I had read, and sometimes quite engaging in relation to books that I have not yet read. So I recommend this to anyone looking for what to read next who appreciates great and significant works of literature. It is certainly a quick route to beef up your reading list.
June 27, 2021
Excellent reference!
This is exactly what I wanted from the title. A short synopsis of the novel along with comments based on its history and place among world literature. My only disappointment was the extreme lack of any representation of James Baldwin or Toni Morrison. Both of which deserve inclusion.
This is exactly what I wanted from the title. A short synopsis of the novel along with comments based on its history and place among world literature. My only disappointment was the extreme lack of any representation of James Baldwin or Toni Morrison. Both of which deserve inclusion.
November 12, 2017
A good bucketlist
A 100 summaries of 100 classic novels is what this booklet is all about. At the end of each brief chapter is some professional commentary on that particular book and a link to explore the book further.
A 100 summaries of 100 classic novels is what this booklet is all about. At the end of each brief chapter is some professional commentary on that particular book and a link to explore the book further.
June 2, 2017
I enjoy looking at people's book lists. Definitely a few more books I need to read!
July 24, 2020
Not as advertised
Are you kidding me? This just a list of the “hundred greatest books” made up by someone else. It’s not the books at all! False advertising.
Are you kidding me? This just a list of the “hundred greatest books” made up by someone else. It’s not the books at all! False advertising.
December 31, 2020
An excellent introduction
This is the best way to choose which classic novel you're going to read first. Sometimes it provides a summary but more often it gives a gist of each book and invites you to find out the rest for yourself
This is the best way to choose which classic novel you're going to read first. Sometimes it provides a summary but more often it gives a gist of each book and invites you to find out the rest for yourself
November 26, 2024
Nice collection
Interesting and informative list of classics. I am using it to add quite a number of books to my reading list. Also, a number to avoid, I don't care how classic.
Interesting and informative list of classics. I am using it to add quite a number of books to my reading list. Also, a number to avoid, I don't care how classic.
December 5, 2016
Typical list of classic books - most over 100 years old. Follow a syllabus for English classic literature for college or high school students and these books would pop up. I've read a good number of them at different points in my life and have heard of just about all of them. I did like the amazon links at the end of each 1 page description as I could quickly add ones I haven't read to my wish list. Not sure I'll actually read them since I only fit in classics to my reading schedule on a very limited basis. But the book is good for one of those "classics to read before you die" lists.
October 1, 2022
Classic Review
I have used this book for years to keep track of the 100 most important books that I want to read, classics. It has helped me immensely.
I have used this book for years to keep track of the 100 most important books that I want to read, classics. It has helped me immensely.
July 30, 2023
Highly entertaining and interesting look at 100 classic novels, not straying too far from the old literary canon. Very few spoilers, which I liked. And short reviews by great authors and critics.
April 9, 2017
Useful guide to classic novels
Terse summary of plots, numerous apposite critical quotes, and some superb covers: this makes the book, in my opinion, well worth acquiring!
Terse summary of plots, numerous apposite critical quotes, and some superb covers: this makes the book, in my opinion, well worth acquiring!
April 15, 2017
Very, very brief synopses of the books; and a couple quotes from other authors about the books. Doesn't seem to be an ordered list; either by time, genre, cultural impact or any other noticeable factor.
Although most of the books are no surprise, there were a couple I'd not heard of and may look into reading. But the 19th Century was a bit over-represented in my opinion.
Although most of the books are no surprise, there were a couple I'd not heard of and may look into reading. But the 19th Century was a bit over-represented in my opinion.
April 25, 2017
List of 100 novels with some artwork, downloaded for free on amazon and did not need much time to go through all of them,
Cheers,
PS _ each book in the collection has to be procured separately, this book is more or less like an index of these 100 novels!
Cheers,
PS _ each book in the collection has to be procured separately, this book is more or less like an index of these 100 novels!
Read
May 6, 2018No, actually, I didn't "finish" it. I'm keeping it for reference for a while to help me pick out books to get on my kindle and read. I'm writing this here, hoping that my friends on Goodreads will see it. This book is helpful to consult if you want to pick a "classic" novel to read for bookclub--it'll be in libraries, and probably available for free downloads too. I've read quite a few of them, not surprisingly, but still have a ways to go. I'm going to go for War and Peace again this summer. Anyone care to join me?
Now, let's see if I posted this right and if you Tall Trees ladies saw it! Miss you all!
--LuAnn
Now, let's see if I posted this right and if you Tall Trees ladies saw it! Miss you all!
--LuAnn
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews