The Greatest Russian, British "Fiction, Experimental" Books Since 1900

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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. A School For Fools by Sasha Sokolov

    The novel presents a fragmented and surreal narrative that delves into the mind of a young boy with a learning disability, attending a special school in the Soviet Union. Through a stream-of-consciousness style, the book explores the boy's experiences and perceptions, blending reality with fantasy, and time with memory. The protagonist's inner world is rich with poetic language and vivid imagery, reflecting his struggle to find his place in a society that marginalizes those who are different. The narrative structure defies conventional storytelling, offering a unique and challenging perspective on the nature of sanity, the power of institutions, and the complexity of the human psyche.

    The 4025th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. The Unlimited Dream Company by J. G. Ballard

    In this novel, a man crashes a stolen aircraft into the Thames River near a quiet London suburb, only to emerge unscathed and with the newfound ability to transform reality. As he begins to exert a strange and seductive influence over the town's inhabitants, the boundaries between the mundane and the fantastic blur. The protagonist's powers grow, leading to a surreal and psychedelic transformation of the town, its people, and himself. The narrative explores themes of liberation, sexuality, and the human psyche, presenting a hallucinatory vision of human potential and the limitless expanses of the imagination.

    The 4084th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. Pushkin House by Andrey Bitov

    The novel in question is a complex and multi-layered exploration of Soviet intellectual life, following the story of a literary scholar who becomes deeply entangled in his research on the life of a fictional 19th-century Russian poet. As the protagonist delves into the poet's work and biography, his own life begins to mirror the subject of his study, leading to a blurring of past and present, reality and fiction. The narrative weaves together themes of identity, history, and the power of literature, all set against the backdrop of the oppressive atmosphere of the Soviet Union, where the quest for personal and artistic freedom is fraught with peril and contradiction.

    The 4140th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. 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 4414th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. The Anathemata by David Jones

    "The Anathemata" is a dense and complex long poem that delves into the rich tapestry of Western culture, drawing from history, mythology, religion, and personal experience to explore themes of faith, art, and identity. The work is structured as a series of ritualistic and symbolic meditations, blending the author's deep knowledge of Catholic liturgy with references to a wide array of sources, from ancient Celtic lore to the rituals of the Roman Empire. Through its lyrical and often fragmented narrative, the poem seeks to unearth the sacred within the profane and to articulate the interconnectedness of human experience across time and space.

    The 7193rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. The King Of Time by Velimir Khlebnikov

    "The King of Time" is a collection of avant-garde poetry and prose that delves into the themes of time, revolution, and the cosmic order through the lens of Russian Futurism. The work is characterized by its innovative use of language, bold imagery, and the exploration of new poetic forms. It reflects the author's fascination with the intersection of ancient mythologies and modern scientific concepts, as well as his belief in the transformative power of art and the artist's role in shaping the future. The pieces within the collection are marked by their rhythmic intensity and the creation of a unique linguistic universe, showcasing the author's vision of a world on the brink of monumental change.

    The 7193rd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Five Novels by Ronald Firbank

    "Five Novels" is a collection of early 20th-century works that are known for their wit, high camp, and stylistic innovation. The novels are characterized by their eccentric characters, satirical take on high society, and exploration of sexuality and spirituality. The author's distinctive narrative voice and his use of dialogue-driven storytelling create a unique literary experience that is both humorous and poignant. The collection serves as a showcase of the author's talent for capturing the frivolities and foibles of the social elite, as well as his ability to craft narratives that are ahead of their time in terms of thematic content and narrative structure.

    The 7193rd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Monsieur, Or The Prince Of Darkness by Lawrence Durrell

    "Monsieur, Or The Prince Of Darkness" is a captivating novel that explores the complex and enigmatic life of a man known as Monsieur. Set against the backdrop of post-war Europe, the story delves into Monsieur's mysterious past, his involvement in espionage, and his relationships with various intriguing characters. Through vivid prose and intricate storytelling, the book delves into themes of identity, love, and the blurred lines between good and evil, leaving readers questioning the true nature of Monsieur until the very end.

    The 7988th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Such by Christine Brooke-Rose

    "Such" is an experimental novel that challenges traditional narrative structures and explores the nature of language and perception. Through a series of fragmented and interconnected stories, the book delves into the complexities of identity, memory, and communication. With its unconventional writing style and intricate wordplay, "Such" invites readers to question their understanding of reality and the limitations of language.

    The 7988th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. 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
  11. 36. 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
  12. 37. 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
  13. 38. 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