The Greatest French, 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. Froth on the daydream by Boris Vian

    "Froth on the Daydream" is a tragic love story set in a surreal world. The protagonist is a wealthy young man who marries a woman he loves deeply. However, their bliss is short-lived when she develops a strange illness - a water lily growing in her lung. As her health deteriorates, so does their wealth and social standing, leading to a bleak and heartbreaking end. This novel is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the harsh realities of life, all set within a fantastical and dreamlike landscape.

    The 934th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. 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
  3. 28. Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille

    This novel is a provocative exploration of the dark side of human nature, featuring two teenage characters who engage in increasingly bizarre and violent sexual games. Their actions, driven by their obsession with eroticism and death, lead them into a world of perversion and madness. The narrative is filled with explicit sexual content and shocking imagery, reflecting the author's fascination with the transgressive and the taboo.

    The 999th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. 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
  5. 30. Death on Credit by Louis-Ferdinand Céline

    "Death on Credit" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the life of a young Frenchman in Paris during the early 20th century. The protagonist, a medical student from a poor family, struggles with the harsh realities of life, including poverty, sickness, and death. The narrative is marked by its dark humor, cynicism, and scathing critique of society, reflecting the author's own experiences and views. The protagonist's journey is a constant struggle against the absurdity and despair of existence, depicted through a series of episodic adventures and misadventures.

    The 1067th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Alcools by Guillaume Apollinaire

    "Alcools" is a collection of poems that explores various themes such as love, loss, and the passage of time. The work is notable for its innovative use of form and syntax, often eschewing traditional punctuation and capitalization. The poems are rich in imagery and symbolism, drawing on a wide range of influences from mythology to modern urban life. The collection is considered a landmark of modernist literature, reflecting the author's unique vision and distinctive poetic voice.

    The 1246th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Our Lady of the Flowers by Jean Genet

    The novel is a dark, poetic exploration of the criminal underworld in Paris, focusing on the life and fantasies of a homosexual prostitute and thief. The protagonist, while in prison, creates an elaborate fantasy world populated by outcasts, convicts, and murderers, including a transgender character who becomes his ideal of beauty and purity. The narrative is filled with graphic depictions of sex and violence, and explores themes of transgression, identity, and the transformative power of the imagination.

    The 1273rd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. 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
  9. 34. Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud

    "Illuminations" is a collection of prose poems that delve into the author's vivid dreamlike visions and his exploration of his inner psyche. These poems are filled with symbolic imagery and metaphors that challenge traditional poetic norms. The author uses his work to express his disillusionment with the conventional world, his longing for spiritual enlightenment, and his quest for personal freedom. The collection is a testament to the author's innovative style and his significant influence on modernist literature.

    The 1474th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. 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
  11. 36. 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
  12. 37. Pilgrimage by Dorothy Richardson

    "Pilgrimage" is a sequence of semi-autobiographical novels that follow the life of the protagonist, Miriam Henderson, through her journey of self-discovery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The narrative explores Miriam's experiences, thoughts, and feelings, as she navigates through her life, dealing with issues of feminism, love, and social expectations. The book is notable for its stream of consciousness writing style, which allows readers to experience Miriam's inner world in a profound and intimate way.

    The 1613th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. The Moon And Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham

    The novel is a fictionalized account inspired by the life of the painter Paul Gauguin. It follows Charles Strickland, a stockbroker who abandons his wife and children to pursue his passion for painting. Strickland's relentless and uncompromising pursuit of artistic expression leads him to a life of poverty in Paris and ultimately to Tahiti, where he finds a new muse in the exotic landscape and people. His disregard for social convention and personal relationships is portrayed in stark contrast to his sublime artistic achievements, raising questions about the nature of genius, the sacrifices made for art, and the price of personal freedom.

    The 1671st Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Paris Spleen by Charles Baudelaire

    The book is a seminal work in the history of prose poetry, capturing the modern urban experience through a series of short, lyrical pieces. It delves into the psychological landscape of the city, exploring themes of melancholy, ennui, and the search for beauty amidst the squalor of Parisian life in the mid-19th century. The author's sharp observations and vivid imagery reflect his complex relationship with the city, oscillating between a deep love for its vibrant culture and a profound sense of alienation. This collection of prose poems is considered a touchstone for modernist literature, influencing generations of writers and poets with its innovative style and introspective depth.

    The 1793rd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Collected Poems by Stéphane Mallarmé

    "Collected Poems" is a compilation of poetic works by a renowned French poet. The book offers readers a deep exploration into the intricate world of symbolism and the power of language. The author's artistic use of words to create vivid imagery and evoke profound emotions is evident throughout the collection. His poems delve into themes of reality, dreams, and the interplay between the two, offering a unique perspective on the human experience.

    The 1840th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Wry-Blue Loves: Les Amours Jaunes by Tristan Corbière

    "Wry-Blue Loves: Les Amours Jaunes" is a collection of poems that explore themes of love, death, and the sea. Written in a unique style that blends irony, sarcasm, and a sense of melancholy, the author uses vivid and sometimes shocking imagery to challenge conventional romantic ideals and express his own disillusionment with love and life. The sea serves as a recurring motif, symbolizing both the author's Breton heritage and the unpredictable, often cruel nature of existence.

    The 1906th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. In Parenthesis by David Jones

    In Parenthesis is a semi-autobiographical novel set during World War I, focusing on the experiences of a British infantryman from his enlistment to his injury in the Battle of the Somme. The narrative combines prose and poetry to depict the harsh realities of war, including the camaraderie between soldiers and the chaos and horror of battle. The novel is noted for its detailed and realistic portrayal of trench warfare and its exploration of the psychological impact of war on soldiers.

    The 1981st Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Aurélien by Louis Aragon

    "Aurélien" is a novel set in post-World War I Paris, following the life of the protagonist, a war veteran, who falls in love with a woman he sees in a café. However, the woman is already engaged to a friend of his, leading to a tumultuous love triangle. The book explores themes of love, war, and the struggle of the human condition, presenting a vivid picture of the social and political landscape of Paris during the 1920s.

    The 2032nd Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Travesties by Tom Stoppard

    The play is a comedic and intellectual romp through Zurich during World War I, where the lives of historical figures like the Dadaist Tristan Tzara, the novelist James Joyce, and the communist revolutionary Lenin intersect through the unreliable memories of British consular official Henry Carr. The narrative is a playful, non-linear exploration of art, politics, and the nature of memory, blending slapstick humor with sharp wit and literary allusions. The work challenges the audience to consider the role of the artist in society and the impact of political upheaval on cultural expression, all while questioning the reliability of history and the very nature of truth itself.

    The 2304th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. Party Going by Henry Green

    "Party Going" is a novel that centers around a group of wealthy, self-absorbed young people waiting for a train to take them to the French Riviera. Their journey is delayed by heavy fog, forcing them to take up residence in a nearby hotel. As they interact with each other and the hotel staff, their shallow, self-involved natures are revealed. The novel explores themes of class, privilege, and the emptiness of a life lived only for pleasure.

    The 2333rd Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. The Vice-Consul by Marguerite Duras

    This novel follows the story of three lonely, dispossessed people in Calcutta, India: a troubled former French diplomat, a young French woman haunted by her past, and a poverty-stricken Indian woman. As their lives intersect, they grapple with desire, despair, and the struggle for redemption. The narrative is a complex exploration of colonialism, privilege, and the human condition, told through the lens of these three characters' tragic and intertwined lives.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. Impressions of Africa by Raymond Roussel

    In this surrealistic novel, a group of Europeans are stranded in Africa after their ship is hijacked by a local monarch. While held captive, each of the characters narrates a fantastical tale or performance, showcasing their unique talents and skills. The narrative is filled with bizarre inventions, intricate wordplay, and a dizzying array of subplots, all of which are eventually woven together in a complex and cryptic manner. The novel is a testament to the author's imagination and his ability to create a world that is both strange and captivating.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. Tarr by Wyndham Lewis

    "Tarr" is a novel set in pre-World War I Paris and follows the story of an English artist, Frederick Tarr. The narrative explores the complex relationships between Tarr and his friends, including his German rival Kreisler and the woman they both love, Bertha. The novel delves into themes of modernism, masculinity, and the clash of cultures, while also providing a satirical critique of the bohemian lifestyle in early 20th century Paris.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. Life and Death of Harriett Frean by May Sinclair

    The book chronicles the life of Harriett Frean, a woman who lives a sheltered and suppressed life due to Victorian societal norms. It explores her journey from a privileged childhood to a lonely adulthood, her unrequited love for a married man, and her struggle with her parents' expectations. The narrative delves into the themes of female oppression, the consequences of societal expectations, and the tragedy of an unfulfilled life.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. The Apes of God by Wyndham Lewis

    "The Apes of God" is a satirical novel that critiques the literary and artistic scene of 1920s London. The narrative follows a naive young man from the English countryside who becomes entangled in the pretentious and superficial world of London's modernist elite. The book is known for its biting wit, complex character portrayals, and intricate plot, providing a scathing critique of the cultural and intellectual pretensions of the time.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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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.

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