Many fiction books exist, but only a few truly capture readers’ attention. The best fiction books of all time vary according to individual opinions. Here are the best novels of all time with the highest sales, readership, and best critical reviews. These influential books have profoundly impacted the world and countless lives.
Best Critically Acclaimed Novels
#1 To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s famous novel, set in 1930s Alabama, stands as a seminal exploration of racial tensions in the Deep South. The story follows Atticus Finch, a white lawyer who fights to save the life of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. Through the innocent perspective of Finch’s six-year-old daughter, Scout, the narrative reveals the injustice and incomprehensibility of the situation. With humor, warmth, and compassion, To Kill A Mockingbird tackles the thorny issue of racism in the USA, solidifying its status as one of the greatest books of the 20th century. In 2015, Lee released Go Set A Watchman, a follow-up novel set in the 1950s that provides new context and meaning to the timeless classic, further enhancing its brilliance.
#2 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
I won’t forget some moments from A Visit From the Goon Squad. In one chapter, Dolly, a former PR hotshot, receives the task of reviving the public image of “The General,” an African dictator. Dolly teams up with Kitty Jackson, a B-list actress, to accomplish this. However, Kitty’s curiosity about genocide lands her in prison after asking too many questions. Eventually, The General’s government transitions to democracy, Kitty is released, and Dolly starts a sandwich shop. This storyline in Egan’s book captures the essence of her satirical themes, adding polyphony, humor, and poignancy.
Logically, the best novels for online reading are the foundation that every reading lover should lay. However, you can also go ahead and read books on your iPhone. If you have a reading app, you can expand your collection with currently popular books or new works. Click site and installing the application. Then find some or all of the books listed here on FictionMe, or go your own way and search for books yourself. Fortunately, the choice is almost unlimited.
#3 Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë’s gothic romance, Wuthering Heights, is an indispensable addition to any reading list. It was written in 1847 as a response to Jane Austen’s popular romantic fiction, showcasing a darker and more intricate narrative within a frame story and spanning two generations. With its captivating prose, this novel unfolds the destructive relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling, amidst the untamed and primal ambiance of the Yorkshire moors. As Emily Brontë’s only published work, it portrays the intensity of a doomed romance and the gradual emergence of vengeance in a truly unparalleled manner.
#4 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina instantly tops the “greatest novels” lists of fans who enjoy stories with juicy subjects like adultery, gambling, marriage plots, and Russian feudalism. Since its initial complete publication in 1878, this towering work of fiction, written by Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, earned such ranking from publications like Time magazine. Tolstoy’s masterpiece narrates the tale of two significant characters: Anna, a tragic and disenchanted housewife who elopes with her young lover, and Konstantin Levin, a lovestruck landowner who grapples with faith and philosophy.
#5 The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is often hailed as a premier literary work for introducing students to critical reading. This novel, perfect for school, follows the perspective of Nick Carraway, a man who recently relocated to New York City and forms an enigmatic bond with his eccentric neighbor, Jay Gatsby, an individual of obscure origins.
The Great Gatsby offers a glimpse into the vibrant Jazz Age of 1920s America, while simultaneously critiquing the concept of the “American Dream.” Notably, the novel’s cover art portrays a striking face against a dark blue night sky, with city lights illuminating the backdrop—a symbol that also appears, albeit slightly altered, within the text itself.
#6 A Passage to India by E.M. Forster
After making several visits to the country during his early life, E.M. Forster penned the novel A Passage to India. Published in 1924, the book explores the bond between Aziz, a Muslim Indian doctor, and two English individuals: Cyril Fielding, a professor, and Adela Quested, a visiting schoolteacher. The story revolves around Adela’s accusation of assault by Aziz during their visit to the Marabar caves near the fictitious city of Chandrapore, setting off heightened tensions between the Indian and British communities.
#7 The Lord Of The Rings By J. R. R. Tolkien
This amazing fiction piece is widely recognized, and if you’re a huge fan of the genre and have yet to read LOTR, you’re depriving yourself of an enjoyable reading experience. Everything you appreciate about this genre finds its origins here (even if only to challenge Tolkien’s legacy), and few fantasy epics possess such an intricate backstory. True, now there are novel AI alternatives in the same or similar universe. You can even create your own AI story inspired by Tolkien’s legacy.
#8 Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Often, the Western canon emphasizes writers from North America or Europe, disregarding accomplished writers and incredible literary works from other regions. Published in 1958, “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe is a notable Nigerian novel that had to overcome biases in literary circles to gain global recognition. The novel traces the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo man, as it portrays his family, his Nigerian village, and the impact of British colonialism on his homeland.
Conclusion
Various individuals, such as literary critics, historians, avid readers, and even casual readers, will hold different viewpoints on what truly constitutes the “greatest book ever written.” Is it a novel adorned with beautiful and captivating figurative language? Or does gritty realism take precedence? Perhaps it’s a novel that exerts immense social influence or one that subtly shapes the world. Presented here is a compilation of 7 novels that have gained recognition as some of the most remarkable literary works ever composed.