4.16 avg rating — 662,954 ratings

"A first book written in old age, captures for me the essence of growing up in Ireland during the worldwide depression, in a voice that is fresh and unique. A joy to read. Breaks many stereotypes and violates many taboos."

4.12 avg rating — 529,662 ratings

"The earliest I know of the anti-war genre, a thoroughly readable analysis of humanity's self-destructive tendencies as motivated by a sense of nationalism and "honor." Easily consumed, but powerful as any book I've ever read."

4.17 avg rating — 95,009 ratings

"The unfolding of Sophie's complex and mysterious character is a masterpiece of psychological thriller."

4.11 avg rating — 240,649 ratings

"Backstory is central to this coming of age study--the "sins of the fathers" transferred to the children. A mild shocker of master craftsmanship."

4.33 avg rating — 1,133,477 ratings

"Anne Shirley is among the strongest of female heroines to emerge from the twentieth century, and her tale is set against a backdrop of nostalgia-evoking life in a dreamlike setting--Prince Edward Island. Seems almost like fantasy until you actually visit the site."

3.99 avg rating — 393,668 ratings

"An African-American work that succeeded in portraying the lives of African-Americans without needing the "foil" of white America to create definition, perhaps the first to do so."

3.81 avg rating — 1,340,923 ratings

"Poverty, old-age, and misfortune cannot defeat the indomitable will of old Santiago in his quest to land the greatest fish he has ever seen. But all three eventually crush this hero of the common man in a universal tale exemplifying the life-and-death struggle each of us must face."

4.09 avg rating — 509,983 ratings

"A truly modern epic, based loosely on Vergil's Aeneid, a beast fable, and an exciting adventure quest all rolled into a single novel. As well, a poetic observation of the English countryside. You'll believe in talking rabbits by the end of this book!"

4.20 avg rating — 787,782 ratings

"One of the best books to emerge from the "Sixties," Cuckoo's Nest is the perfect segue to Catch-22 for capturing the mid-century surrealistic insanity that followed in the wake of the Nuclear Age."

3.70 avg rating — 3,252,358 ratings

"Golding's masterpiece addresses the myth of "childhood innocence" in an undefined war setting. His boys quickly become a microcosm of "civilization" and the stunning conclusions are far more real than most of us care to admit. Lays bare the human condition with mastery and simplicity."

3.90 avg rating — 2,888,309 ratings

"Like Old Man and the Sea in its portrayal of the need to survive in a hostile universe, this book goes beyond to explore human relationships through the lens of Lenny and George's attachment. This short, tight human drama is one of the first books to address the issue of euthanasia."

4.10 avg rating — 1,503,448 ratings

"Among the most important books to emerge from World War II, Slaughterhouse-Five addresses the fire bombing of Dresden and the enormity of war in general. Surrealism is the fore-runner of "magical realism.""

4.02 avg rating — 4,670,853 ratings

"A simplified version of 1984, told as a beast fable."

4.20 avg rating — 5,604,825 ratings

"In an age fearful of emerging totalitarian governments yet fascinated by broad totalitarian ideologies, this book is a sober reminder of the costs of collectivization and "total war." Should be read by every adult."

4.26 avg rating — 6,995,632 ratings

"A small-town lawyer and his family are caught up in the towering inferno of mid-20th century American racism. Suitable for early adolescent to adult audiences, the book has been a favorite in middle-school and high-school classrooms."

3.86 avg rating — 195,730 ratings

4.33 avg rating — 35,395 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 3,229 ratings

4.20 avg rating — 3,500 ratings

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 14,582 ratings

4.34 avg rating — 101,652 ratings

4.04 avg rating — 70,365 ratings

3.98 avg rating — 50,633 ratings

3.91 avg rating — 14,831 ratings

3.95 avg rating — 47,148 ratings

4.45 avg rating — 165,644 ratings

4.01 avg rating — 215 ratings

3.99 avg rating — 17,012 ratings

4.10 avg rating — 43,103 ratings

3.97 avg rating — 4,419 ratings

4.07 avg rating — 33,325 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 157,757 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 117,677 ratings

3.89 avg rating — 11,870 ratings

3.75 avg rating — 90,130 ratings

3.66 avg rating — 54,567 ratings

3.80 avg rating — 74,970 ratings

4.03 avg rating — 316,541 ratings

4.09 avg rating — 127,326 ratings

3.46 avg rating — 140,172 ratings

4.31 avg rating — 1,488,003 ratings

4.12 avg rating — 390,746 ratings

4.34 avg rating — 322,742 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 117,217 ratings

3.97 avg rating — 286,715 ratings

3.98 avg rating — 2,112,791 ratings