The Greatest American, British "Modernist" 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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Modernist

Modernist literature is a category of books that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by a break from traditional literary forms and a focus on individual experience and perception. Modernist writers experimented with language, form, and structure, often using stream-of-consciousness narration and fragmented storytelling to convey the complexity and ambiguity of modern life. Themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning are common in modernist literature, which reflects the cultural and social upheavals of the time. Overall, modernist literature is a challenging and thought-provoking genre that continues to influence contemporary literature and culture.

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  1. 26. Collected Poems by Wallace Stevens

    "Collected Poems" is a compilation of the author's lifetime work in poetry, showcasing his unique style of combining philosophy and aesthetics into his verse. His poems, often complex and introspective, explore themes of reality, imagination, and the nature of the human mind. The collection is known for its rich imagery and profound contemplation, offering readers a deep and thought-provoking exploration of life and consciousness.

    The 426th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell

    "The Alexandria Quartet" is a tetralogy of novels that explore the intricate relationships between a group of friends and lovers in Alexandria, Egypt, before and during World War II. The novels are known for their rich and evocative descriptions of the city and its diverse inhabitants, as well as their innovative narrative structure, which presents the same events from different characters' perspectives in each book. The work explores themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of reality and perception.

    The 446th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor

    "Wise Blood" is a novel about a young man named Hazel Motes, who returns home to Tennessee after serving in World War II and finds his religious beliefs shaken. He becomes a street preacher, founding the Church Without Christ to preach his message of faithlessness. The book explores themes of redemption, faith, and the struggle between belief and atheism as Hazel interacts with a variety of eccentric characters and faces his own internal battles.

    The 486th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

    "The Sheltering Sky" is a novel about an American couple, Port and Kit Moresby, who travel to the North African desert accompanied by their friend Tunner. The journey, initially an attempt to cure their marital woes, quickly descends into a harrowing journey of self-discovery and exploration of the human condition. As they move further into the desert, the harsh environment and their isolation from the outside world push them to their psychological limits, leading to devastating consequences.

    The 495th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. V by Thomas Pynchon

    "V" is a complex novel that intertwines two parallel narratives. One follows Benny Profane, a discharged U.S. Navy sailor involved in a group of bohemian artists and hooligans called the Whole Sick Crew, while the other narrative is a series of historical accounts researched by Herbert Stencil, who is on a quest to uncover the identity of an entity known only as V. The narrative oscillates between various global locations and time periods, including Egypt in 1898, Southwest Africa in 1922, and Malta in 1919, among others. The book explores themes of entropy, human connection, and the nature of identity.

    The 574th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Collected Poems of T.S. Eliot by T. S. Eliot

    This collection includes the works of a renowned 20th-century poet, featuring his most famous pieces such as "The Waste Land," "Four Quartets," and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." The poet's works are known for their profound exploration of existential despair, disillusionment, and spiritual emptiness, often employing complex, fragmented structures and numerous allusions to mythology, religion, and contemporary culture. This compilation provides a comprehensive look at the poet's influential contribution to modernist literature.

    The 579th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Loving by Henry Green

    "Loving" is a novel set in an Irish castle during World War II, focusing on the lives of the servants who work there. The narrative provides a detailed and intimate exploration of the relationships, gossip, and everyday routines of the domestic staff, while the war remains a distant threat. The book is known for its unique use of language and dialogue, as well as its exploration of class dynamics.

    The 585th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathanael West

    This novel revolves around an advice columnist, who writes under the pseudonym "Miss Lonelyhearts", for a New York newspaper during the Great Depression. As he reads and responds to the desperate letters from the city's distressed and downtrodden, he becomes increasingly disillusioned and depressed, struggling with his own faith, identity, and the bleakness of the human condition. The protagonist's personal life also spirals out of control, entangling him in a series of complicated romantic relationships and leading to a tragic conclusion.

    The 658th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos

    This novel presents a panoramic view of New York City between the 1890s and the 1920s, capturing the sense of the city through the lives of its inhabitants. The narrative weaves together the stories of numerous characters from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants, businessmen, and bohemians. These characters' lives intersect and diverge, reflecting the dynamism and complexity of the city itself. The city is portrayed as a place of both opportunity and disillusionment, where dreams are both realized and shattered.

    The 678th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg

    "Howl and Other Poems" is a collection of verse that critiques and challenges societal norms and conventions, particularly those of post-World War II America. The title poem, "Howl", is a raw and passionate indictment of capitalist society and its suppression of individuality and human freedom. The collection also explores themes of mental illness, sexuality, spirituality, and the human condition, with a focus on the beatnik and countercultural movements of the time.

    The 793rd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. Three Lives by Gertrude Stein

    "Three Lives" is a series of novellas that explore the lives of three working-class women living in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Each story provides a detailed psychological portrait of a different woman: a black housekeeper, a worldly-wise servant, and a lower-middle-class German woman. The narrative delves into their personal struggles, their relationships, and their attempts to navigate the societal constraints of their time.

    The 851st Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Prufrock and Other Observations by T. S. Eliot

    This collection of poems presents a critique of society through the lens of a disillusioned modern man. The titular character is a middle-aged man contemplating the emptiness and lack of fulfillment in his life. The poems delve into themes of despair, regret, and existential angst, reflecting the disillusionment of the post-World War I generation. The poems are characterized by their innovative use of dramatic monologue, stream of consciousness, and other modernist techniques.

    The 914th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot

    "Four Quartets" is a collection of four long poems that delve into the nature of time, perspective, and human experience. The poems explore deep spiritual and philosophical themes, including the struggle between the temporal and eternal, the cyclical nature of life, and the quest for divine understanding. The work also reflects on the devastation of World War II, the passage of time, and the nature of memory and experience.

    The 956th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. The Making of Americans by Gertrude Stein

    "The Making of Americans" is an experimental novel that explores the concept of identity and the human condition through the lens of two American families. The author uses repetitive and complex prose to delve into the intricacies of family dynamics, social status, and personal development. The narrative is less about plot progression and more about the philosophical exploration of what it means to be an American, offering a unique perspective on the cultural and psychological tapestry of the nation.

    The 994th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood

    This novel is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences in 1930s Berlin. The protagonist, a young Englishman, observes and documents the lives of a wide range of characters, from the working class to the upper class, all against the backdrop of the rising Nazi regime. The book offers a vivid and poignant portrayal of Berlin and its inhabitants during a time of great political and social upheaval.

    The 1025th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. The Professor's House by Willa Cather

    "The Professor's House" is a narrative revolving around a middle-aged professor who is struggling with a mid-life crisis. As he moves into a new home, he can't help but feel disconnected from his family and former life. His only solace is his unfinished study in his old house, where he spends most of his time. The book also explores his relationship with his former student, Tom Outland, whose story of discovering an ancient Native American settlement in the Southwest impacts the professor deeply. The novel explores themes of change, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in life.

    The 1209th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem by William Faulkner

    The novel is a collection of four related stories, each focusing on a different protagonist. The stories are set in the Southern United States and explore themes of love, loss, and the struggle to survive in harsh circumstances. The characters are often isolated and alienated, struggling with their own personal demons and the harsh realities of their environment. The narrative style is complex and challenging, with frequent shifts in time and perspective, reflecting the fragmented and chaotic nature of the characters' lives.

    The 1286th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis

    The novel follows the life of a bright and dedicated young man, Martin Arrowsmith, who dreams of making significant contributions to medical science. He faces a constant struggle between his ambition and the demands of his professional and personal life. His journey takes him from a small Midwestern town to the prestigious universities of the East Coast, and eventually to a deadly outbreak in the Caribbean. Throughout his journey, he grapples with the corruption, greed, and mediocrity that he finds pervading the medical field, all while trying to remain true to his scientific ideals.

    The 1288th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. The Hamlet by William Faulkner

    "The Hamlet" is a complex narrative that explores the lives of the Snopes family, their rise to power, and their struggle with morality in a small southern town. The story is filled with themes of greed, manipulation, and the quest for power, as the Snopes family uses cunning and deceit to gain control over the town and its inhabitants. The novel is a vivid portrayal of the dark side of human nature and the destructive power of ambition.

    The 1320th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

    The book follows a renowned pianist who arrives in a Central European city to give a concert. However, his time there becomes increasingly surreal and disjointed as he is pulled in different directions by the demands of the locals, his own past, and his responsibilities. The narrative explores themes of memory, time, and self-delusion, creating a dream-like atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.

    The 1340th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. The Cantos by Ezra Pound

    This book is a comprehensive collection of the works of a renowned poet, known for his significant influence on modern literature. It includes his most famous poems, along with lesser-known pieces, providing a complete overview of his poetic style and themes. The author's work is characterized by his innovative use of form and language, his incorporation of various cultural and historical references, and his exploration of complex philosophical and political ideas. The book serves as an essential resource for understanding the evolution of modern poetry.

    The 1476th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    This novel follows the life of Amory Blaine, an attractive and privileged young man who grows up in the early 20th century United States. It explores his experiences in prep school, at Princeton University, and in the real world after graduation, as well as his relationships with a series of young women. The protagonist's life is marked by his pursuit of wealth, status, and love, and his eventual disillusionment with the values of his society. The novel is a critique of the American Dream and a reflection on the lost generation of the 1920s.

    The 1556th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley

    "Crome Yellow" is a satirical novel set in an English country house, where a diverse group of guests gather for a summer holiday. The narrative explores various themes such as love, art, religion, and education through the conversations and interactions of the characters. The novel is known for its witty dialogue, social commentary, and for being an early example of the author's social criticism.

    The 1562nd Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. Justine by Lawrence Durrell

    "Justine" is a novel set in pre-World War II Alexandria, Egypt, and is the first in a quartet of books. The story is told from the perspective of an Irish teacher living in Alexandria, who becomes entangled in a complex love triangle with a beautiful Jewish woman named Justine and her husband, a wealthy Coptic Christian. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and cultural tension against the backdrop of a city teeming with political intrigue and social unrest.

    The 1562nd Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara

    This novel explores the self-destruction of the main character, a successful and respected car dealer, over a three-day span during the Christmas season in 1930. After a series of impulsive and reckless actions, including alienating his friends and family, having an affair, and getting involved with organized crime, the protagonist spirals out of control, leading to his tragic demise. The book offers a critique of the vapid and hypocritical aspects of high society in a small Pennsylvania town during the Great Depression.

    The 1601st Greatest Book of All Time

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