William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray was a British novelist and author, best known for his satirical works, particularly 'Vanity Fair,' a panoramic portrait of English society. Born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, British India, Thackeray was also known for his sharp wit and critical eye towards the societal norms of his time. His works often reflected the complexity of the human character and the class system. Thackeray's other notable works include 'The Luck of Barry Lyndon' and 'The History of Pendennis.' He passed away on December 24, 1863, in London, England.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Vanity Fair

    This classic novel follows the lives of two contrasting women, the cunning and ruthless Becky Sharp and the sweet and naive Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society during the Napoleonic Wars. The book is a satirical exploration of the obsession with wealth, status, and social climbing, and the moral bankruptcy that can result from such pursuits. The narrative weaves an intricate tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, exposing the vanity and hypocrisy of high society.

  2. 2. The History Of Henry Esmond

    The novel is a historical fiction set in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, chronicling the life of its protagonist, an officer in the English army. Born to uncertain parentage, he is raised by a noble family and develops a deep affection for his benefactors' daughter. The narrative follows his experiences in the military, his travels abroad, and his involvement in the political and religious conflicts of the era, including the Jacobite Rebellion. Throughout his life, he grapples with questions of honor, love, and identity, against the backdrop of the shifting fortunes of the British monarchy and the complexities of the society in which he lives.

  3. 3. The Newcomes

    The novel is a satirical study of British society in the mid-19th century, focusing on the fortunes and misfortunes of a respectable, though not wealthy, family. The narrative, presented as a biography of the family by a friend, traces the life of the protagonist, from his early years in India, through his education in England, to his attempts to find love and establish himself in society. Throughout the story, the family's experiences reveal the hypocrisies and vanities of the upper classes, with the central theme being the contrast between genuine emotion and social propriety. The work is notable for its rich characterizations and its exploration of themes such as colonialism, the role of women, and the rigid class system of the time.

  4. 4. The Memoirs Of Barry Lyndon

    The novel is a satirical account of a young Irishman's opportunistic rise to wealth and status, and his eventual fall from grace. The protagonist, born into modest circumstances, uses his wit, charm, and unscrupulous behavior to mingle with European nobility and climb the social ladder. Throughout his adventures, he engages in duels, gambling, and romances, while his fortunes ebb and flow. His narrative, filled with irony and dark humor, exposes the hypocrisies and corruptions of 18th-century aristocratic society, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and reflective decline, as he pens his memoirs.