The Greatest American, French "Absurdist, Surrealism" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Absurdist

Absurdist literature is a genre that explores the irrationality and meaninglessness of human existence. It often features characters who are trapped in absurd situations and struggle to find purpose or understanding in a chaotic world. Absurdist books challenge traditional notions of plot, character development, and narrative structure, and often use humor and satire to critique societal norms and conventions. This genre is characterized by its philosophical and existential themes, and its rejection of traditional literary conventions.

Surrealism

Surrealism is a genre of literature that explores the subconscious mind and the irrational aspects of human experience. It often features dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and a sense of the uncanny. Surrealist literature seeks to challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries of reality, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. It is a genre that celebrates the power of the imagination and encourages readers to question their perceptions of the world around them.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

American

French

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. Locus Solus by Raymond Roussel

    "Locus Solus" is an avant-garde novel that revolves around the eccentric millionaire inventor, Canterel, who invites a group of guests to visit his estate, Locus Solus. Here, he displays a series of bizarre inventions, each with a detailed backstory. The inventions include a diamond-encrusted machine that constructs intricate mosaics using human teeth, a large glass cage filled with preserved human heads that reenact key moments from their lives, and a device that uses preserved body parts to perform a grotesque ballet. The narrative is heavily detailed and surreal, creating a unique and intriguing exploration of art, life, and the human condition.

    The 1409th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Sixty Stories by Donald Barthelme

    "Sixty Stories" is a collection of short narratives that use unconventional, experimental structures to explore a range of themes. The book is known for its absurdist and postmodern style, and the stories often feature elements of parody, surrealism, and satire. The tales cover a wide array of topics, including art, literature, philosophy, and the human condition, all presented with a unique blend of humor, wit, and intellectual depth.

    The 1534th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Heartsnatcher by Boris Vian

    The novel is a surreal and satirical tale set in a bizarre town where the eccentric inhabitants live under the oppressive rule of a despotic and whimsical figure. The narrative follows the lives of the townspeople, who are subjected to absurd and often cruel whims that challenge their sanity and morality. As the story unfolds, the characters confront the absurdity of existence, the nature of love and desire, and the struggle for individual freedom against authoritarian control. The book combines elements of fantasy, dark humor, and existential philosophy, creating a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human nature and society.

    The 5210th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Double Or Nothing by Raymond Federman

    "Double Or Nothing" is an experimental novel that explores the life of a young man trying to pen a novel about his experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The book is unique in its format, with the protagonist's thoughts, ideas, and narrative presented in various graphic and typographical forms. The narrative is nonlinear and fragmented, reflecting the protagonist's struggle to make sense of his traumatic past and his attempts to express it through writing.

    The 5681st Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Nog by Rudy Wurlitzer

    "Nog" is a surreal and psychedelic tale of a man's journey through a chaotic and disorienting world. The protagonist, Nog, embarks on an existential adventure across America, encountering a series of bizarre characters and situations along the way. The narrative is often nonlinear and disjointed, reflecting Nog's fragmented perception of reality. The book is a critique of the American Dream and explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a seemingly senseless world.

    The 5738th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Age of Wire and String by Ben Marcus

    This book is a collection of short, interconnected stories that challenges the conventions of narrative and language. The stories are set in an alternative America and are filled with surreal and bizarre elements, often defying logic and meaning. The author uses a unique, poetic language to describe this world, creating a strange and disorienting effect. The book is divided into different sections, each dealing with a different aspect of this world, such as food, sleep, or animals. It's a challenging and thought-provoking read that pushes the boundaries of fiction.

    The 7080th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Selected Works by Alfred Jarry

    "Selected Works" by Alfred Jarry is a compilation of the most significant writings from a French author known for his pioneering work in the Absurdist and Surrealist movements. The collection showcases a range of Jarry's literary output, including plays, essays, and novels, with his most famous character, Père Ubu, often taking center stage. Jarry's work is characterized by its satirical edge, inventive language, and the subversion of traditional literary forms. His influence extends beyond literature into the realms of theatre and the visual arts, where his ideas have continued to resonate with avant-garde movements throughout the 20th century and beyond.

    The 7168th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Amédée by Eugène Ionesco

    The play revolves around the bizarre situation of a couple living with the growing corpse of the husband's friend, Amédée, in their apartment. As the body inexplicably continues to expand, it causes increasing inconvenience and absurdity in their lives. The husband, a failed playwright, and his wife struggle with their mundane existence, their inability to dispose of the corpse, and the surreal events that unfold. The narrative explores themes of stagnation, guilt, and the absurdity of life, as the couple's surreal predicament serves as a metaphor for the inescapable, often grotesque, complexities of the human condition.

    The 7168th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download