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I swear, looking things over I think a list of great books about loneliness is almost the same thing as a list of great books. This seems a theme common to all great literature, all great stories. Not sure why. Hope you will add some more favorites here!

George wrote: "I swear, looking things over I think a list of great books about loneliness is almost the same thing as a list of great books. This seems a theme common to all great literature, all great stories. ..."

Well, as W. H. Auden said, Each one lives "in the cell of himself"...and we never get out. Have a nice day !

This is an extremely interesting list to consider. The question is what the operative definition of loneliness should be. I started to add Notes From Underground, but don't think the narrator is all that lonely, though he's certainly isolated. I've already voted for Bartleby, but wonder if a loner who simply prefers "not to" is lonely. Was Hamlet truly "lonely"? I guess Gregor Samsa was, but was the Hungerkunstler? Holden and Seymour, come on down!

Harold wrote: "This is an extremely interesting list to consider. The question is what the operative definition of loneliness should be. I started to add Notes From Underground, but don't think the narrator is a..."

I can't recall anywhere where Hamlet expressed loneliness. And Holden's stresser was grief over his dead brother. These are alienated characters, people pissed off at society, not people longing to engage it.

I agree as to Hamlet. It's one thing to feel grief and a need for vengeance, but the melancholy Dane doesn't strike me as a "lonely" character, despite having good grounds for being so.

But Holden Caulfield wants to connect, to find love, to be the catcher of children. While he may articulate alienation more than loneliness, it seems to me his actions bespeak the most intense of loneliness.

Rdbot wrote: "Harold wrote: "This is an extremely interesting list to consider. The question is what the operative definition of loneliness should be. I started to add Notes From Underground, but don't think th..."

Bartleby and the lawyer/Narrator in B. the Scrivener are counterparts: Rather than confront Bartleby directly, the Narrator MOVES OUT ! Nor does he understand himself why he does it. Somehow he comes off carrying Bartleby's cross, ehh ?

At #200+ I added another 40 or so books for consideration, including Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller (as an option instead of the current #86 Trópico de Capricornio by Henry Millery.

I am hoping some of the people who already voted will recheck the list for new additions to consider.

The Crossing