The Greatest British "Coming of age, orphans" Books of All Time

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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.

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Coming of age

The "Coming of age" category of books typically refers to stories that explore the transition from adolescence to adulthood. These books often focus on the challenges and experiences that young people face as they navigate the complexities of growing up, including issues such as identity, relationships, sexuality, and personal growth. Coming of age stories can be set in any time period or cultural context, and may feature protagonists of any gender, race, or background. Overall, the genre offers readers a glimpse into the universal struggles and triumphs of youth, and the process of becoming a fully realized adult.

orphans

The "orphans" category of books typically includes stories that revolve around children who have lost one or both parents and are forced to navigate the world on their own. These books often explore themes of resilience, survival, and the search for belonging. They may also touch on issues such as poverty, abuse, and neglect. While the protagonists in these stories may face significant challenges, they often find strength in their own resourcefulness and the relationships they form with others. Overall, the "orphans" category offers a poignant and often heart-wrenching look at the experiences of children who have been left to fend for themselves.

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  1. 1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

    A young orphan boy, living with his cruel older sister and her kind blacksmith husband, has an encounter with an escaped convict that changes his life. Later, he becomes the protégé of a wealthy but reclusive woman and falls in love with her adopted daughter. He then learns that an anonymous benefactor has left him a fortune, leading him to believe that his benefactor is the reclusive woman and that she intends for him to marry her adopted daughter. He moves to London to become a gentleman, but his great expectations are ultimately shattered when he learns the true identity of his benefactor and the reality of his love interest.

    The 33rd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

    This novel follows the life of its titular protagonist from his childhood to maturity. Born to a young widow, David endures a difficult childhood when his mother remarries a harsh and abusive man. After his mother's death, he is sent to a boarding school before being forced into child labor. As he grows, David experiences hardship, love, and loss, all the while meeting a colorful array of characters. The novel is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, showcasing the harsh realities of 19th-century England.

    The 45th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    A young, spoiled and unloved girl is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in a large, lonely house after the death of her parents. Through the discovery and cultivation of a hidden, neglected garden, she befriends a local boy and her sickly cousin, and the three children find healing and transformation through their friendship and the magic of the garden.

    The 361st Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J. K Rowling

    In this third installment of the popular fantasy series, the protagonist enters his third year at a magical school, only to find out that a notorious prisoner has escaped from a supposedly inescapable prison and is believed to be after him. As the school year progresses, he learns more about his parents' history, uncovers secrets about his professor, and discovers a magical map. He also learns to summon a powerful defensive spell, confronts the escaped prisoner, and uncovers the truth about his parents' betrayal and death. The book ends with him saving an innocent life and learning a valuable lesson about the complexity of human nature and the importance of true friendship.

    The 448th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K Rowling

    In this fourth installment of a popular fantasy series, a young wizard finds himself unexpectedly entered into a dangerous tournament between rival schools of magic. He must compete in a series of challenging tasks, including a deadly dragon chase and a terrifying underwater rescue mission. Meanwhile, he's dealing with regular teen issues like crushes, jealousy, and school dances. But as he unravels the mystery behind his selection for the tournament, he uncovers a dark plot that puts his life in danger and hints at the return of a powerful dark wizard.

    The 493rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K Rowling

    In the sixth installment of the series, the protagonist returns for his sixth year at a magical school, where he excels in potions class with the help of an old textbook once belonging to the mysterious "Half-Blood Prince". As he delves deeper into his enemy's past through private lessons with the headmaster, he learns more about the Dark wizard's history and his own destiny. Amidst this, the school is no longer the safe haven it once was, and danger lurks within the castle walls. The year ends with a devastating loss, setting the stage for the final showdown.

    The 730th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K Rowling

    In the final installment of this popular series, the protagonist and his friends decide to leave their school to complete the mission left to them by their late headmaster - to destroy the remaining pieces of the antagonist's soul, hidden in various objects. As they journey through the wizarding world, they uncover the truth about the antagonist's past and the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Amidst the escalating war, they are captured and narrowly escape, leading to the ultimate battle at their school where many lives are lost. The protagonist learns he must sacrifice himself to truly defeat the antagonist, but is given a second chance at life and finally triumphs, ending the war. The story concludes with a glimpse into the peaceful future they have all earned.

    The 878th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

    This adventure novel follows the journey of a young Scottish man, David Balfour, who is tricked by his uncle and sold into slavery. After being shipwrecked, he partners with a Jacobite rebel, Alan Breck Stewart, and they journey across the Scottish Highlands, evading authorities and battling foes. Throughout the narrative, themes of justice, friendship, and courage are explored, set against the backdrop of 18th-century Scottish politics.

    The 1033rd Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

    "Ballet Shoes" is a charming tale of three adopted sisters, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, living in 1930s London. Raised by their guardian Sylvia and her nurse Nana, the girls attend a performing arts academy where each discovers her unique talent. Pauline shows a knack for acting, Petrova has a passion for cars and machinery, while Posy is a natural ballet dancer. The story follows their struggles and triumphs as they strive to make their dreams come true, all while navigating the challenges of growing up.

    The 1175th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan

    The story revolves around four siblings who are left to fend for themselves after the untimely death of both their parents. The death of their mother, the second parent to die, forces them to hide her body in the basement to avoid being separated by social services. The siblings create their own dystopian world within the confines of their home, leading to a disturbing exploration of their relationships, particularly between the two oldest siblings, as they grapple with the loss, isolation, and burgeoning adolescence.

    The 1919th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    This classic children's novel tells the story of a young, wealthy girl who is sent to a boarding school in London from India after her father's death. Despite her privileged upbringing, she is mistreated by the headmistress and forced to work as a servant to pay off her father's debts. She endures her hardships by maintaining her kindness and generosity, and by using her imagination to escape her grim reality. Eventually, her fortunes change dramatically due to a surprising twist of fate.

    The 2074th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

    The novel follows the unusual life of a boy named Nobody "Bod" Owens who, after his family is murdered, is raised by the supernatural inhabitants of a graveyard. Under the protection of ghosts and his guardian, who is neither living nor dead, Bod learns about the living world and the dangers it holds, including the man Jack who continues to hunt for him. As he grows up among tombstones and crypts, Bod explores the limits of his graveyard home, encounters creatures of the night, and ultimately confronts the sinister forces that took his family from him, all while trying to lead a normal life despite his extraordinary upbringing.

    The 4061st Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter

    After the sudden death of her parents, a young girl is sent to live with her tyrannical uncle who runs a toyshop. In this strange new world, she finds herself in a house filled with life-sized toys, a mute aunt, and her eccentric cousins. As she navigates through this bizarre and sometimes terrifying environment, she begins to experience the complexities of adult relationships and sexuality, eventually leading to a climactic confrontation with her oppressive uncle.

    The 4688th 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