The Greatest American, British "Fiction, Experimental" Books Since 1990

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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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Fiction

Experimental

The "Experimental" category of books is characterized by works that challenge traditional literary conventions and push the boundaries of form and content. These books often incorporate unconventional narrative structures, language, and themes, and may experiment with different mediums such as poetry, visual art, or multimedia. The goal of experimental literature is to create new and innovative ways of storytelling that challenge readers' expectations and expand the possibilities of what literature can be.

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  1. 26. White Girls by Hilton Als

    "White Girls" is a collection of essays that explore the concept of "white girls" as the author sees it - a cultural and racial construct, rather than a literal description. The book delves into the author's personal experiences, pop culture, history, and his own identity as a gay black man. It examines figures from pop culture, literature, and the author's personal life, including Truman Capote, Michael Jackson, and the author's own sister, to explore themes of race, gender, identity, and the love and loss that comes with friendship.

    The 8742nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Flow Chart by John Ashbery

    "Flow Chart" is a long, meditative poem that weaves through the complexities of life, consciousness, and creativity. The work is characterized by its free-flowing structure, which mirrors the meandering nature of thought and the interconnectedness of experiences. The poem's speaker reflects on a range of subjects, from the mundane to the profound, exploring memory, time, art, and the intricacies of human relationships. With its blend of humor, melancholy, and philosophical insight, the poem invites readers to contemplate the ebb and flow of life's journey and the patterns that emerge from the chaos of existence.

    The 8968th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. Hotel Lautréamont by John Ashbery

    "Hotel Lautréamont" is a collection of poetry that weaves together a tapestry of vivid imagery, linguistic playfulness, and intertextual references. The poems are characterized by their elusive meanings and open-ended interpretations, inviting readers to embark on a journey through a landscape of memory, art, and the subconscious. The poet's masterful use of language challenges conventional structures and expectations, creating a work that defies easy categorization and reflects the complexities of human thought and emotion.

    The 9017th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July

    This collection of short stories explores the lives of quirky, often lonely characters navigating the complexities of human connection and self-discovery. Each narrative delves into the intimate, sometimes awkward moments that define relationships, revealing the profound and often humorous ways people cope with their desires, fears, and vulnerabilities. Through a blend of surrealism and stark realism, the stories capture the essence of contemporary life, highlighting the beauty and strangeness of everyday experiences.

    The 9057th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. Samedi The Deafness by Jesse Ball

    The novel revolves around a man who, after witnessing a murder, is drawn into a surreal conspiracy at a mysterious institution where the residents are engaged in a bizarre form of psychological warfare. The protagonist must navigate through a labyrinth of lies and cryptic rules, trying to uncover the truth while grappling with the concept of "samedi" — a sort of collective madness or deception. As he delves deeper into this enigmatic world, he confronts the challenges of communication, the nature of truth, and the power of societal constructs, all while the boundaries between reality and delusion blur.

    The 9095th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. The Last Novel by David Markson

    This book is an unconventional narrative that eschews traditional plot and character development, instead presenting a stream of anecdotes, quotes, and musings on mortality, art, and literature. The protagonist, an elderly author, contemplates his life and the looming presence of death as he works on what he believes will be his final novel. Through a collage of fragmented thoughts and intellectual references, the text explores themes of creativity, the challenges of writing, and the solitary nature of the artistic endeavor, all while blurring the lines between the author's reality and the literary world he inhabits.

    The 9095th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. And The Stars Were Shining by John Ashbery

    The book is a collection of poems that delve into the complexities of human experience, blending the mundane with the profound in a tapestry of vivid imagery and emotion. The poet navigates through themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, often with a sense of whimsy and surrealism. The work reflects on the nature of creativity and the role of the artist, employing an array of styles and voices that challenge the reader to find coherence in the chaos of modern life. The poems oscillate between moments of introspective reflection and outward observation, inviting a contemplation of the world's beauty and the enigmatic patterns of the stars above.

    The 9116th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Black and Blur by Fred Moten

    "Black and Blur" is an exploration of black studies, performance, aesthetics, and politics. It delves into the intersections of critical theory, social science, and philosophy, challenging traditional definitions and understandings of blackness. The book uses an array of topics such as contemporary art, music, and literature to deconstruct and critique the conventional frameworks of authority, identity, and culture. It presents a new perspective on the complexities of blackness and the potential for social and political change.

    The 9384th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Artful by Ali Smith

    "Artful" is a unique blend of fiction and essay, where a narrator haunted by the ghost of a former lover delves into themes of art, literature, and grief. Through a series of lectures that the ghost delivers, the book explores the connections between classical and contemporary works, weaving personal narrative with broader reflections on the human condition. The narrative is both a tribute to the enduring power of art and a deeply personal account of loss and love, challenging the boundaries between different literary forms to create a poignant meditation on the transformative power of storytelling.

    The 10542nd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. Crudo by Olivia Laing

    "Crudo" is a vibrant and introspective novel that follows a writer named Kathy as she navigates the chaotic world of her own mind and the tumultuous political landscape of the summer of 2017. Set against the backdrop of Brexit and the Trump presidency, Kathy grapples with the realities of aging, love, and the constant fear of impending doom. With a unique blend of humor and poignancy, the book delves into the complexities of identity and the struggle to find one's place in an ever-changing world.

    The 10562nd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The PowerBook by Jeanette Winterson

    "The PowerBook" is a unique blend of reality and virtual reality, exploring the themes of love, identity, and storytelling. The narrative follows an e-writer who writes stories for people on demand, and one of her clients, a woman who wants to escape her relationship and start anew. The book is filled with stories within stories, all of them interconnected, taking readers on a journey through Paris, Capri, and the Internet, while challenging the traditional notions of time, gender roles, and the boundaries between the real and the imagined.

    The 10827th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Hopeful Monsters by Nicholas Mosley

    "Hopeful Monsters" is a novel that explores the lives of two intellectuals, a German physicist and a British anthropologist, against the backdrop of the political and scientific upheavals of the 20th century. Their personal journeys and love story are intertwined with their pursuit of understanding in the realms of physics, biology, and anthropology, as they grapple with issues such as quantum mechanics, genetics, and the nature of consciousness. The narrative also delves into the moral and ethical challenges posed by the rise of fascism and the advent of the atomic bomb.

    The 10881st 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