4.15 avg rating — 659,913 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."

4.11 avg rating — 521,898 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 — 94,643 ratings

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

4.11 avg rating — 239,370 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 — 1,119,479 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 — 388,575 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 — 1,321,850 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 — 506,986 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 — 782,494 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 — 3,216,798 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 — 2,853,056 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 — 1,489,577 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 — 4,591,390 ratings

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

4.20 avg rating — 5,509,922 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 — 6,922,203 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 — 194,785 ratings

4.33 avg rating — 34,925 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 3,214 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 3,415 ratings

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3.98 avg rating — 2,088,772 ratings