The Greatest British "Contemporary" 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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Contemporary

Contemporary books are a genre that focuses on stories set in the present day, often exploring current social, cultural, and political issues. These books are typically written in a modern style and often feature relatable characters dealing with real-life situations. Contemporary books can cover a wide range of topics, from romance and family drama to coming-of-age stories and thrillers. The genre is constantly evolving to reflect the changing world we live in, making it a popular choice for readers who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and issues.

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  1. 51. Looking For The Possible Dance by A. L. Kennedy

    The novel explores the life of Margaret, a young woman living in Glasgow, as she navigates her relationships, her past, and her future. As she deals with her father's death and her mother's mental health issues, Margaret also grapples with her complicated relationship with her boyfriend Colin, her best friend Katherine, and her boss Mr. Phillips. The book provides an insightful look into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of growing up.

    The 4050th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 52. Brick Lane by Monica Ali

    This novel tells the story of a Bangladeshi woman named Nazneen who moves to London at the age of 18 for an arranged marriage to a man 20 years her senior. The narrative explores her life in the city, her struggles with her unhappy marriage, her affair with a young radical, and her attempts to reconcile her traditional upbringing with her new surroundings. The book also explores the lives of immigrants in the UK, the clash of cultures, and the struggle for identity.

    The 4081st Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 53. The Millstone by Margaret Drabble

    This novel explores the life of a young, single, and intellectual woman living in London during the 1960s, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand. As she decides to keep the baby, she faces the challenges of motherhood alone, in an era when single parenthood was stigmatized. The narrative delves into her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformation of her values and lifestyle. Through her experiences, the book offers a poignant commentary on societal expectations, the complexities of personal freedom, and the profound impact of motherhood on a woman's identity.

    The 4151st Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 54. Remainder by Tom McCarthy

    After a traumatic accident leaves him with a large settlement and no memory of his past, the protagonist becomes obsessed with reenacting and reconstructing fragments of memories and events that he can't fully remember. He uses his newfound wealth to recreate these scenes in exact detail, hiring actors and building sets, in a desperate attempt to regain a sense of authenticity and reality. As his obsession escalates, the boundary between the recreated experiences and actual reality begins to blur, leading to a shocking climax.

    The 4402nd Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 55. Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre

    The book revolves around the life of a 15-year-old boy, Vernon Little, living in a small town in Texas. After a horrific school shooting where his best friend kills 16 of their classmates before committing suicide, Vernon becomes the prime suspect. With the media and law enforcement on his tail, he attempts to escape to Mexico, resulting in a series of unfortunate events and dark comedic situations. The narrative is a biting satire of America's obsession with fame and the justice system.

    The 4820th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 56. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

    "Home Fire" is a contemporary reimagining of Sophocles' Antigone set against the backdrop of modern-day London and Syria. The novel explores the lives of five characters caught in a complex web of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The story revolves around two British-Pakistani families, each struggling with their own dilemmas related to identity, radicalism, and loyalty. One family is headed by a powerful politician who disowns his jihadist son, while the other consists of three orphaned siblings whose lives are turned upside down when their brother is accused of joining ISIS. The novel explores the consequences of their actions, questioning the extent to which one can go for love and loyalty.

    The 4839th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 57. Being Dead by Jim Crace

    "Being Dead" is a novel that explores the themes of life, death, and love through the story of a married couple, both zoologists, who are brutally murdered on a beach. The narrative alternates between the present, where their bodies lie undiscovered, and the past, revealing the couple's history and the events leading up to their death. The book delves into the natural process of decomposition and the indifference of nature to human life and death, challenging the reader's perspective on mortality.

    The 5012th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 58. Autumn by Ali Smith

    "Autumn" is a post-Brexit novel revolving around the deep and complex friendship between an old man, Daniel, and a young woman, Elisabeth. Set in the United Kingdom, the story unfolds as Daniel lies in a care home slipping in and out of consciousness, and Elisabeth visits him, reading to him and reflecting on their shared past. The narrative weaves between the past and present, exploring themes of time, art, love, and political upheaval. It is a meditation on a world growing ever more bordered and exclusive, on what richness and worth are, on what harvest means.

    The 5060th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 59. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

    A man's life is dramatically altered when his young daughter is kidnapped during a routine shopping trip. As he grapples with the loss, he also deals with a failing marriage, a best friend who becomes a government official, and a strange time-warp phenomenon. The narrative delves into themes of parenthood, loss, and the fluidity of time, while exploring the protagonist's struggle to maintain his sanity amidst the chaos.

    The 5090th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 60. Darkmans by Nicola Barker

    "Darkmans" is a contemporary novel set in Ashford, Kent, that intertwines the lives of several characters including a father and son, a chiropractor, a mysterious European woman, and the spirit of a 15th-century court jester. The narrative explores themes of history, identity, sanity, and the power of unconscious forces, while the presence of the jester serves as a mischievous symbol of the past's persistent intrusion into the present. The novel's complex structure, dark humor, and detailed characterizations contribute to a surreal, unsettling atmosphere.

    The 5151st Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 61. The Gates Of Ivory by Margaret Drabble

    In this novel, a British writer embarks on a harrowing quest to find her friend, a playwright who has gone missing in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime. The narrative weaves together the writer's journey through a landscape of political turmoil and personal discovery, with letters and fragments from the missing friend that reveal the brutal reality of the regime. As the protagonist delves deeper into the darkness that has engulfed her friend, she confronts the limits of art, the responsibilities of intellectuals, and the haunting interplay between politics and individual lives. The story is a poignant exploration of the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion, set against the backdrop of one of the 20th century's most tragic episodes.

    The 5174th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 62. Yoruba Girl Dancing by Simi Bedford

    The novel explores the life of a young Nigerian girl who is sent to England for a better education by her affluent family. Uprooted from her Yoruba culture, she faces the challenges of assimilation, racism, and identity crisis in a predominantly white British society. As she grows up, the protagonist navigates the complexities of her dual heritage, trying to reconcile her African roots with her Western upbringing. The story is a poignant reflection on the loss of cultural identity and the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land.

    The 5174th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 63. Union Street by Pat Barker

    Set in the industrial north of England, the novel delves into the lives of seven women, each living on the same street, as they navigate the gritty realities of working-class existence. Through their interconnected stories, the narrative explores themes of poverty, domestic violence, friendship, and survival. The women, ranging from young girls to elderly matriarchs, confront their individual struggles and societal challenges, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their tales, though often harrowing, are imbued with a sense of community and the unspoken bonds that tie them together.

    The 5217th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 64. Swing Time by Zadie Smith

    This novel follows the lives of two biracial girls who dream of becoming professional dancers. Although they both have talent, only one of them has the ambition to pursue it. As their lives diverge, one girl becomes a personal assistant to a pop star while the other lives a life of relative obscurity. The narrative explores themes of race, class, friendship, and identity, weaving a story that spans decades and continents.

    The 5360th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 65. The Sound Of My Voice by Ron Butlin

    This novel offers a poignant and introspective look into the life of its protagonist, a successful advertising executive who is grappling with a deep-seated sense of dissatisfaction and the creeping realization of his alcoholism. Through a unique second-person narrative, readers are drawn intimately into the protagonist's internal struggles, as he attempts to navigate his professional responsibilities, personal relationships, and the increasingly blurred lines between his public facade and private despair. The narrative style creates a compelling and immersive experience, highlighting the complexities of identity, the pressures of societal expectations, and the silent battle many face with addiction.

    The 5374th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 66. The Folding Star by Alan Hollinghurst

    "The Folding Star" by Alan Hollinghurst is a captivating novel that follows the life of a young Englishman named Edward Manners who moves to Belgium to become a language tutor. As he immerses himself in the local culture, Edward becomes infatuated with one of his students, a 17-year-old boy named Luc. The novel explores themes of obsession, desire, and the complexities of relationships, as Edward's infatuation leads him down a path of self-discovery and ultimately reveals the dark secrets of his own past.

    The 5471st Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 67. The Eye in the Door by Pat Barker

    "The Eye in the Door" is a historical novel set during World War I. The story follows a British army officer suffering from shell shock, as well as his psychologist, as they navigate the traumas of war and the tumultuous political climate. The book explores themes of mental illness, homosexuality, and the societal pressures of the time, all against the backdrop of the war and its effects on those involved.

    The 5510th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 68. The Needle's Eye by Margaret Drabble

    "The Needle's Eye" explores the complexities of wealth, morality, and personal fulfillment through the story of Rose Vassiliou, a woman who has inherited a fortune but chooses to live a modest life in opposition to the materialistic values of her upbringing. Her life becomes intertwined with Simon Camish, a struggling barrister, as they navigate their conflicting ideals and the social expectations of London in the 1970s. The novel delves into themes of social class, family dynamics, and the search for meaning, as Rose and Simon confront their pasts and question what it truly means to lead a good life.

    The 5517th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 69. Gb84 by David Peace

    "GB84" by David Peace is a gripping novel set during the 1984-1985 miners' strike in Britain. The story follows the lives of various characters, including union leaders, miners, and government officials, as they navigate the brutal and violent clash between the National Union of Mineworkers and the Conservative government. With its intense portrayal of the social, political, and economic turmoil of the time, the book offers a raw and realistic depiction of the struggles faced by both the striking miners and those in power.

    The 5634th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 70. Injury Time by Beryl Bainbridge

    "Injury Time" is a darkly comedic tale of a middle-aged man who has a secret mistress. He organizes a dinner party with his friends and his mistress, but the party takes a disastrous turn when it is interrupted by burglars. The story is a satirical exploration of love, betrayal, and the absurdity of suburban life.

    The 5805th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 71. That's How It Was by Maureen Duffy

    The book is a poignant exploration of memory, family, and the passage of time, as seen through the eyes of a young girl growing up in post-war Britain. The narrative delves into the complexities of her relationships with her parents, the impact of social change, and the personal growth that accompanies coming of age. The protagonist's reflections on her past, interwoven with the cultural and historical context of the era, paint a vivid picture of a bygone time, capturing the essence of life's fleeting moments and the enduring nature of memory.

    The 5947th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 72. Puffball by Fay Weldon

    "Puffball" is a novel that delves into the complexities of rural life, fertility, and the supernatural. It follows a young woman who moves with her husband from the bustling city to an isolated countryside cottage, seeking a simpler life and the opportunity to start a family. However, their idyllic retreat quickly becomes a hotbed of strange occurrences, local gossip, and eerie traditions. As the protagonist struggles with her own fertility, she becomes enmeshed in the peculiar dynamics of her new community, where ancient beliefs and modern realities collide, leading her to question the nature of power, relationships, and the deep-seated desire for motherhood.

    The 6392nd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 73. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

    This novel weaves together the lives of diverse characters through a narrative that spans decades, centering on a teenage runaway with psychic abilities. As she becomes embroiled in a covert war between immortal factions, the story explores themes of mortality, power, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The intricate plot moves through different times and places, revealing a hidden world of mysticism and a looming apocalyptic crisis, all while examining the impact of our actions on the future of the planet.

    The 6585th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 74. If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor

    The novel is a lyrical exploration of a single day in an ordinary British street, where the lives of the inhabitants are quietly observed and their personal stories are delicately unfolded. The narrative alternates between the past and the present, revealing a tragic event that has left a profound impact on one of the residents. The book is a meditation on the extraordinary within the mundane, the significance of the everyday, and the impact of pivotal events on ordinary lives.

    The 6594th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 75. Family And Friends by Anita Brookner

    "Family and Friends" is a novel that delves into the lives of the Dorn family, focusing on the matriarch Sofka and her four children, Frederick, Alfred, Betty, and Mimi, as they navigate the complexities of their relationships and individual aspirations in post-World War II London. The narrative unfolds through a series of vignettes that reveal the family's dynamics, their bourgeois existence, and the personal struggles each member faces in pursuit of love and fulfillment. The novel examines themes of loneliness, the search for happiness, and the intricate web of familial bonds, all set against the backdrop of a changing society.

    The 6612th 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