100 must-read classics, as chosen by our readers

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

We said: It is a truth universally acknowledged that when most people think of Jane Austen they think of this charming and humorous story of love, difficult families and the tricky task of finding a handsome husband with a good fortune.

You said: Philosophy, history, wit, and the most passionate love story.

Francesca, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Where to start reading Jane Austen

2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

We said: A novel before its time, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-prize winner addresses issues of race, inequality and segregation with both levity and compassion. Told through the eyes of loveable rogues Scout and Jem, it also created one of literature’s most beloved heroes – Atticus Finch, a man determined to right the racial wrongs of the Deep South.

You said: A jarring & poignantly beautiful story about how humans treat each other.

Greygardens, X (formerly Twitter)

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

We said: Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic millionaire who throws decadent parties but doesn’t attend them, is one of the great characters of American literature. This is F. Scott Fitzgerald at his most sparkling and devastating.

You said: The greatest, most scathing dissection of the hollowness at the heart of the American dream. Hypnotic, tragic, both of its time and completely relevant.

Joe T, X (formerly Twitter)

4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967)

We said:  Gabriel García Márquez’s multi-generational spanning magnum opus was a landmark in Spanish literature.

You said: Magic realism at its best. Both funny and moving, this book made me reflect for weeks on the inexorable march of time.

Andre C, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: A reader's guide to Magical Realism

5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1965)

We said: The ‘true crime’ TV show / podcast you’re obsessed with probably owes a debt to this masterpiece of reportage by Truman Capote. Chilling and brilliant.

You said: In this groundbreaking novel, completed after six arduous years of research, Capote invented a new genre - the 'Nonfiction Novel' - applying prose techniques to fact. It spawned the school of New Journalism & invented the true crime genre as we know it.

Kgjephcott, X (formerly Twitter)

6. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (1966)

We said: Jean Rhys wrote this feminist and anti-colonial prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre which chronicles the events of Mr Rochester’s disastrous marriage to Antoinette Conway or Bertha as we come to know her.

You said: Rhys took a character from a classic novel and breathed new life into the “madwoman in the attic” based on her own experiences/world view. She beautifully showed how the stories we read fold into our lives to make new stories.

Eric A, X (formerly Twitter)

7. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

We said: One of the greatest and most prescient dystopian novels ever written, this should be on everyone’s must-read list.

You said: Given the exponential growth of AI, Machine Learning & Robotics, Huxley's vision acts as a warning. Will we rise and challenge those who seek to shape our future or sleepwalk toward conditioning by technology?

David G, X (formerly Twitter) 

Read more: Books that defined the 1930s

8. I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith (1948)

We said: Cassandra Mortmain’s upbringing in a crumbling castle with her eccentric family may not be everyone’s experience, but we can guarantee her coming-of-age story with all its enchanting and disenchanting moments will resonate for many.

You said: A 'children's book' that speaks volumes (ha) about unrequited love and dysfunctional families. Timeless. And funny. (and we need some laughs on the 100 Classics list!)

Helen Y, X (formerly Twitter)

9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

We said: One of literature’s steeliest heroines, in her short life Jane Eyre has overcome a traumatic childhood only to be challenged by secrets, strange noises and mysterious fires in her new home of Thornfield Hall. All while falling in love with her employer, Mr Rochester. A Gothic masterpiece that was groundbreaking in its intimate use of the first-person narrative.

You said: I read this in English lessons aged 13. Jane's defiance and courage speaks as much to me now as it did 50 years ago. I spent 25 years as an English teacher and introduced Jane to students as often as I could.

Margaret, newsletter reader

10. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866)

We said: This novel is a masterful and completely captivating depiction of a man experiencing a profound mental unraveling. No amount of ethical bargaining on Raskolnikov’s part can free him from the parasitic guilt nested in his soul. A brilliant read if you loved Breaking Bad.

You said: No other novel has made me feel so much for the main characters, so deeply depicted by the author. I felt like an orphan when I finished it and it's the only novel I've re-read several times.

Angie V, X (formerly Twitter)

11. The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992)

We said: Donna Tartt's book follows a clique of smart, attractive students at an elite university and an outsider who finds himself forced to conceal a dark secret. A gripping and tense read.

You said: A modern classic - so well-articulated and written (something that’s hard to come by these days). Also, EXCELLENT PLOT!

AnamiAndBooks, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Best new and classic Dark Academia books

12.  The Call of the Wild by Jack London (1903)

We said: Jack London was a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and used his experiences to write about a dog named Buck who becomes a leader of the wild. With themes exploring nature and the struggle for existence in the frozen Alaskan landscape.

You said: Because everyone who loves the earth knows it’s true.

Helen D, X (formerly Twitter)

13. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1818)

We said: Austen’s last completed novel before her untimely death was one tinged with heartache and regret. Anne Elliot’s feelings for the handsome Captain Wentworth are re-ignited when he returns from sea. Will they get a second chance at happiness? 

You said: It's a beautiful evocation of longing against sense and reason, of forgiveness and second chances.

Sharan, newsletter reader

14. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1862)

We said: Vive la révolution! A sweeping epic and a completely satisfying read by Victor Hugo. Full of love, anger, drama and wit. Quite possibly the perfect novel.

You said: A beautiful story of the power of redemption and a good heart along with a backdrop of the socio-economic iniquities of 19th century France. Beautifully written, it tugs the heartstrings.

Gary G, X (formerly Twitter)

15. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (1851)

We said: Every American writer since 1851 has been chasing the same whale: to somehow write a novel as epic and influential as Melville’s.

You said: The writing is sublime, the settings are vivid, and all the little sub-plots are riveting: an historical adventure revenge tale that stands up as a true classic.

Dan, newsletter reader

16. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (1927)

We said: To the Lighthouse is a daring novel with little regard for rules. There’s no consistent narrator, scant dialogue and almost no plot. With everything stripped away, we’re left with a breathtaking and lyrical meditation on relationships, nature and the folly of perception.

You said: You feel like you’re stood on top of a cliff with the sea breeze blowing right through your bones.

‏Halcyonbookdays, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Where to start with Virginia Woolf
 

17. The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen (1938)

We said: Considered Elizabeth Bowen’s masterpiece novel, this is the story of 16-year old Portia who is sent to live with her Aunt in London, after her mother’s death. There, she falls for the attractive cad Eddie. A devastating exploration of adolescent love and innocence betrayed.

You said: This book captures the awkward tension and anxieties of the interwar period through a deeply reflective, but oddly naive, unloved girl. ‏

Heather O, X (formerly Twitter)
 

18. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1823)

We said: Written when Mary Shelley was just 18 years old, but don’t let that depress you. Frankenstein is a Gothic masterpiece with entertaining set pieces aplenty.

You said: Chosen for all the questions it raises about consequences and taking responsibility for your actions; nature versus nurture; the value of friendship. I could go on.

Julie A, X (formerly Twitter)

19.  The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (1966)

We said: This spine-chilling story was censored by Stalin and sadly only published after Mikhail Bulgakov’s death.

You said: This is the masterpiece of Mikhail Bulgakov, his magnum opus. About life and death in Communist Russia, and also about greater things: the power of forgiveness and eternal life.

Joanna, newsletter reader

20. The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley (1953)

We said: A moving exploration by L. P. Hartley of a young boy’s loss of innocence and a critical view of society at the end of the Victorian era.

You said: As a 17-year-old, I was completely absorbed by this story, wishing Leo was my brother so that I could protect him from the disappointment that awaited him.

Rapsodiafestiva, X (formerly Twitter)

21. The Iliad by Homer (8th century BC)

We said: It is one of the greatest and most influential epic poems ever written, and (alongside The Odyssey) the oldest surviving work of Western literature. Although the story centres on the critical events of the last year of the Trojan war, Homer also explores themes of humanity, compassion and survival.

You said: This is the ultimate war poem, filled with existential drama, heroic striving, death, and the meaning of life.

Max G, X (formerly Twitter)

22. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey (1962)

We said: A psychiatric ward in Oregon is ruled by a tyrannical head nurse, but when a rebellious patient arrives her regime is thrown into disarray. A story of the imprisoned battling the establishment.

You said: A story that shows there is more to life than following rules. Having joy and being spontaneous are as important as anything else in life.

Darren B, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Books that defined the 1960s

23. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1949)

We said: The definitive dystopian novel, George Orwell’s vision of a high surveillance society is gripping from the first page to the last. 

You said: A study in totalitarianism, it's as relevant today as when Orwell wrote it. It's a nightmare, also a work of pure genius.

David, newsletter reader

24. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)

We said: Probably the least commented-upon aspect of J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece is how utterly hilarious it is. Holden is a character no one ever forgets.

You said: This novel’s main character, Holden, is coping with a tragic loss, as all of us do in our lives. As he wanders aimlessly around the city, he struggles to plan his next life move but finds happiness in small joys, such as his strong bond with his sister.

Alma E, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Classic books to read by your 20s

25. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)

We said: Toni Morrison's novel tells the story of a former Kentucky slave haunted by the trauma of her past life, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.

You said: This book is amazing. Beautifully written, haunting and the level of detail of the lengths people went to protect their families from slavery is fantastic.

LittleReigate, X (formerly Twitter)

26. The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse (1938)

We said: This is the third full-length novel featuring P. G. Wodehouse’s best-known creations, the bumbling fool Bertie Wooster and his quick-thinking valet Jeeves. In this outing, the duo hatches a daring and hilarious scheme to steal an 18th-century cow-creamer. What could go wrong?

You said: The best of the Bertie and Jeeves novels by Wodehouse, the 20th century master of the light comic novel. Intricate plotting and brilliant command of English prose.

Matt F, X (formerly Twitter)

27. Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

We said: Bram Stoker's novel is told by multiple narrators in a series of diary entries, letters, newspaper articles and ships’ logs; an old folklore tale becomes a frightening reality for solicitor Jonathan Harker and his friends after he visits Count Dracula. And the Count is not a hero like our modern vampires aka Edward Cullen.

You said: A Gothic tale of fear and love. Would one desire immortality at the cost of one’s morality and soul? Loneliness beckons down such a dangerous and fearful path.

Rob K, X (formerly Twitter)

28. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (1967)

We said: A coming-of-age tale of teenage rebellion, set in a winner-takes-all world of drive-ins, drag races and switchblades. It created an anti-hero from the wrong side of the class divide – all written when S. E. Hinton was just 17. ‘Stay gold Ponyboy… stay gold’.

You said: The original YA novel, which sparked many crushes and made me fall in love with reading.

Claire C, X (formerly Twitter)

29. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham (1955)

We said: An allegoric dystopia written in the wake of the Second World War, The Chrysalids cleverly strives to denounce acts of the past while including a profound plea for tolerance.

You said: A post-apocalyptic novel, about intolerance, loneliness, friendship, and what it means to be human. A fantastic sci-fi novel, as relevant today as it was in the 50s.

Hollie B, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Must-read classic sci-fi novels

30. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1867)

We said: Leo Tolstoy’s sweeping epic of human life in all its imperfection and grandeur is universally accepted as one of the greatest novels of all time. 

You said: This novel is just gripping and beautifully written. Kept me enthralled for weeks...

Angela T, Facebook

31. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1860)

We said: From the escaped convict lurking in the wild Kent marshes to the eccentric Miss Havisham who has remained in her wedding dress since the day she was jilted, orphan Pip’s coming-of-age story is one of Charles Dickens' most memorable and iconic novels.

You said: This book is not only important as a literary masterpiece and an evocative story - it also has universal appeal as, unfortunately, many children in today's world undergo the same suffering as Pip.

Ayesha K, X (formerly Twitter)

32. Another Country by James Baldwin (1962)

We said: Primarily set in New York’s Greenwich Village, James Baldwin's Another Country tackled many themes that were taboo at the time of its publication including bisexuality, interracial couples and extramarital affairs - all in the sensational world of Harlem jazz and the Bohemian underworld.

You said: This is a book that shows how everyone can live and love together, passionately, dangerously, with exquisite music.  I’ll never forget the thrill of first reading it.

Jon A, X (formerly Twitter)

Read more: Where to start reading James Baldwin

33. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)

We said: The perfect read for a cacophonous political moment. Joseph Heller’s dizzying masterpiece brilliantly illustrates the way that power is hoarded and wielded like magic, with sleights of hand and rhetorical trickery deployed like weapons to leave normal people baffled and exhausted.

You said: In my opinion, there is no book that better captures human nature and the futility of conflict. You’ll come out the other side angry, uplifted, and crazy.

Sam W, X (formerly Twitter)

34. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (1920)

We said: A newlywed couple is shaken up by the arrival of the bride’s free-spirited and charismatic cousin Ellen, who piques the husband’s interests. He must decide to save a crumbling marriage or pursue his passions. Edith Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 for this novel which explores love, lust and social class, set in the Gilded Age of New York.

You said: The most heart-wrenching depiction of impossible love, set in the lavish society of 18th century New York. Beautifully detailed but never alienating, with rich characters and a masterful construction.

Charlotte, newsletter reader

35. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958)

We said: It has come to be seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English and is read widely across Africa and Nigeria in which it is set. It follows the Okonowo a great and famous warrior and the most powerful men of his clan. But when outsiders threaten his clan’s way of life - will his temper and pride be his downfall? Read it to find out.

You said: A compelling and important exploration of cultural identity in relation to both the rising tide of British colonialism and the pressures of gender expectations. A poignant tragedy written with pathos. Necessary reading!

Danny N, X (formerly Twitter)

36. Middlemarch by George Eliot (1871)

We said: Dorothea Brooke and the other inhabitants of Middlemarch grapple with art, religion, science, politics, self and society in the lead-up to the First Reform Bill of 1832 in a literary exploration of human follies. This book is considered by many to be the greatest Victorian novel.

You said: This book is superb in form and content. There is no better dissection of and insight into human society. She was the Shakespeare of her day and Middlemarch is her finest novel.

Tim R, X (formerly Twitter)

37. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

We said: Featuring perhaps one of the most famous opening lines in history, ‘Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.’ Daphne du Maurier’s gothic masterpiece tells the story of a naive new bride whose idyllic life in her husband’s country-pile in Cornwall unravels, from a frosty welcome from the housekeeper to something more sinister.

You said: When I read the opening line I feel as though I’m visiting an old friend. From the sinister Mrs Danvers to the naive Mrs de Winter the suspense of the mystery and the atmosphere of Manderley is captured perfectly. Each time I read it I discover something new.

Jane, newsletter reader

38. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (1891)

We said: It received mixed reviews it was first published, in part because it challenged Victorian ideals of purity and sexual morals. But Thomas Hardy’s unflinching account of Tess’s bid for salvation in a society ready to condemn her is a harrowing and powerful read.

You said: This novel teaches us about the position of women in the past and their moments of frailty versus moments of strength. An important insight for everyone to have!

Abbie H, X (formerly Twitter)
 

39. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (1847)

We said: William Makepeace Thackeray’s satirical reflection of society on the whole embodied in a cast of characters who although flawed, we can’t help but love and root for as we follow their fortunes and downfalls throughout the Napoleonic wars.  

You said: Becky Sharp is the greatest female lead character in English literature. Bar none.

Greg R, X (formerly Twitter)

40. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (1945)

We said: The iconic country house setting of Brideshead see a family consumed by its religious battle with their loyalties. A reflective and nostalgic novel by Evelyn Waugh about class, family and homecomings.

You said: I can never get over the melancholy that weaves its way through this novel. The beautiful writing, the damaged characters and the echoes of a dream that is broken - all add up to a story that stays with me long after I have finished reading it.

Jane, newsletter reader

41. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (1857)

We said: Emma Bovary, a beautiful young woman stifled by provincial life and in a loveless marriage, embarks of a string of passionate but disappointing affairs with devastating consequences.  

You said: This book was published in 1857 and yet her level of dissatisfaction is probably relatable to everyone in this era.

Elie, X (formerly Twitter)

42. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot (1860)

We said: Maggie Tulliver is passionate, impulsive and intelligent but her desires clash against her family’s expectations and result in painful consequences. Eliot drew on the frustrations of her own rural upbringing to write one of her most powerful and moving novels.

You said: One classic everyone must read: The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot. A beautifully told story of an intelligent girl who yearns for more than society allows.

Jess, X (formerly Twitter)

43. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope (1857)

We said: The second novel in Anthony Trollope’s series known as the ‘Chronicles of Barsetshire’, opens as the Bishop of Barchester lies on his deathbed; soon the battle for power amongst the town’s key players will commence. Told with plenty of wisdom and wit.

You said: This book has tremendous characters and a plot which sucks you into such a different world, about which you find yourself caring desperately.

Hilary S, X (formerly Twitter)

44. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H Lawrence (1960)

We said: The story of Lady Chatterley who starved of love from her husband, paralysed from the Great War, embarks on an affair with her groundsman Mellors is a captivating novel with an equally compelling story behind it. It became the first work of literary merit to be prosecuted under a new law, the Obscene Publications Act 1959, which Penguin went on to win and subsequently quickly sold three million copies.  

You said: There are so many themes and insights including gender and class in particular. The sex scenes are actually surprisingly sexy, from both perspectives, for a book of this age.

Holly, newsletter reader

45. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1844)

We said: An epic novel by Alexandre Dumas that will have you feeling all the emotions – and a prime example of the old adage that revenge is a dish best served cold.

You said: The best classic tale! A story of innocence, romance, betrayal, suffering, revenge and more importantly, Man’s triumph over all life throws at him.

Hayati Y, X (formerly Twitter)

46. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)

We said: Perhaps John Steinbeck’s finest novel, this is a beautifully evocative and, by the end, devastating read.

You said: Migration in search of work and a better future. A modern-day story. Still makes my skin tingle.

Morven, X (formerly Twitter)

47. Ulysses by James Joyce (1922)

We said: Having survived censorship, controversy and even legal action, James Joyce’s most famous novel is renowned for its use of inner monologue and stream-of-consciousness technique. Whether it’s the greatest novel of the 20th century, or the most unreadable, is up for debate.

You said: Reading it as a person, an emotional journey. Reading it as a writer, is technically mesmerizing and inspiring

Pqxzyvr, X (formerly Twitter)

48. East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952)

We said: Mostly set in California, John Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel follows two families and their interwoven stories. The author himself said, ‘It has everything in it I have been able to learn about my craft or profession in all these years.’

They said: Brilliant writing, epic family saga, drills deep into human nature and how we think, feel and act toward one another. My all-time favourite novel.

Naomi M, Facebook

49. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954)

We said: Perhaps the greatest story ever told, J. R. R. Tolkien’s incredible trilogy of otherworldliness brought a world of hobbits, dwarves, elves and orcs to life in a way never read before. Ultimately a tale of companionship and the battle between good and evil, the fictional world of Middle Earth has endured to become far greater than the sum of its parts.

You said: It's got the great sweeping story, romance, heroism, self-sacrifice, social commentary... it's not just magic and elves!

Anne O, X (formerly Twitter)

50. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1880)

We said: Two years in the making, this philosophical novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky questions big topics like faith, free will and morality but it’s also a very readable one that’s part murder mystery, part courtroom drama.

You said: A depiction of the darkest recesses of human nature. But also of the brightest ones…

Luca C, Facebook

51. Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann (1901)

We said: In Thomas Mann’s semi-autobiographical family epic, he portrays the slow decline of a wealthy and highly esteemed merchant-family in northern Germany over four generations, as they grapple with the modernism of the 20th century. 

You said: It’s a great novel about the rise and fall of a family, the relationship between fathers and sons, and the conflict between art and business. Well, and I have to say I do love family sagas.

Peter L, X (formerly Twitter)

52. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955)

We said: Quite simply some of the finest writing ever committed to a page. A book that is simultaneously repulsive and utterly seductive.

You said: Beautifully written. The book takes you into the mind of this awful character and lets you roll around in the gorgeous word-play as the story unfurls.

Lesley L, Facebook

53. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)

We said: Frances Hodgson Burnett's book will awaken the curiosity of any reader, no matter their age. There’s something so completely irresistible about hidden doors, mysterious noises and secret hiding places. But this is more than a story of adventures and gardening, at its heart, The Secret Garden promises that with time and plenty of nurturing, we can all blossom.

You said: I will never forget reading this book as a child. I felt I was in the middle of the story.

Ulrika F, Facebook

54. Scoop by Evelyn Waugh (1938)

We said: Partly based on Evelyn Waugh’s personal experiences, Scoop is a satirical take on the lengths reporters – and newspaper magnates – will go to for a story. With modern exposés on hacking scandals and the like, Scoop feels as relevant as ever.

You said: A funny story wrapped around absurdity, journalism and war.

Guy V, Facebook

55. Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford (1949)

We said: A companion novel to The Pursuit of Love, our narrator Fanny tells the story of her cousin Polly who has little interest in the London season and the marriage market at the exasperation of her parents. Full of hilarious, eccentric relatives and the thrills of navigating the glamorous 1930s social season.

You said: Escapism to a world that bears no resemblance to mine. Razor sharp wit and bonkers characters. The novel set the standard for modern romantic comedy novel that has never been bettered.

Jane, newsletter reader

56. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1859)

We said: After 18 years in the Bastille, Dr Manette is released and sent to live in Britain with a daughter he’s never met. Split between Paris and London, A Tale of Two Cities is a mammoth story set during the brutal years of the French Revolution.

You said: Sitting alone at 16 years old after the family had gone to bed,  tears streamed down my cheeks as I finished this novel.

Pat C, Facebook

57. Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith and Weedon Grossmith (1892)

We said: Diary of a Nobody follows a respectable middle-class man, Charles Pooter, and his attempts to live a respectable middle-class life. This riotously funny novel created such an impression that it inspired an adjective in honour of its main character: 'Pooterish', a self-important person who takes themselves far too seriously. 

You said: I have read this book so many times and laugh out loud every time. I have a Penguin Classic copy of it that's falling apart but I wouldn't part with it for the world

Emma H, Facebook

58. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878)

We said: Anna Karenina is a woman who seems to have it all. She’s married, she’s wealthy, she’s well-liked – but she feels her life is empty until she meets Count Vronksy. Leo Tolstoy’s novel is essentially a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life and happiness but it’s a very readable one.

You said: Simply the best in-depth characterisation of all time. Tolstoy's psychological insights have never been beaten.

Chris W, Facebook

59. The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni (1827)

We said: Alessandro Manzoni's novel takes is the story of two young lovers trying to be together, set against a wider backdrop of 17th-century Italian life. The Betrothed is considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written in Italian.

You said: This book is on the verge of being forgotten by casual readers, but it’s entertaining, socially and scientifically progressive for its time, has incredibly moving, beautifully-written passages on bread riots and the plague, and it has the best surprise trope-subversion at the end.

Shawna R, Facebook

60. Orlando by Virginia Woolf (1928)

We said: Immense yourself in the dazzling breadth of Virginia Woolf’s imagination in this short but powerful novel and follow Orlando from the court of Elizabeth I to a celebrated poet in the 20th century.

You said: What is it to be a woman? Woolf's modernist novel is so fresh even 90 or so years later. Gender fluidity before the term was even coined. And a history of literature as a backdrop.

Antonia M, Facebook

61. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957)

We said: Step into the dystopian USA and follow the saga of Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden as they attempt to bring their Transcontinental railroad into existence, and uncover the secrets of a shadowy figure called John Galt along the way.

You said: This book engages the reader through its characters and themes, allowing one to be entranced through this cautionary tale that can be applied to the modern world.

Deanna H, Facebook

62. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (1895)

We said: When a scientist and inventor creates a time machine, he travels to the distant future to see what’s in store for humanity. H. G. Wells' novel is the book that popularised time travel, but read deeper and it’s also a metaphor for the fractured society that we still live in today.

You said: A story of knowledge, education, and imagining a future.

Gultekin S, Facebook

63. The Art of War by Sun-Tzu

We said: Sun-Tzu, author of the world’s oldest guide to military strategy, recognised that we live in a conflicted world. The layperson might not be involved in warfare but the advice within is just as useful for navigating the workplace or daily life.

You said: This should be called the little book of common sense. It makes everything easier to understand.

Darren G, Facebook

64. The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy (1922)

We said: Nobel-Prize winning author John Galsworthy wrote this multi-generational saga which chronicles the Forsyte family’s fortunes and downfalls as they live through dramatic social change, from the straight-laced Victorian era to the roaring 20s.

You said: This book gives you a wonderful impression of life in the 19th and early 20th century. It’s both enthralling and touching.

Hildegard S, Facebook

65. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck (1962)

We said: Almost 60 years later Travels with Charley still proves an eye-opening insight into a country that’s so easy to view as a monolith. Steinbeck and his French Poodle encounter everyone from migrant farmers to KKK members in this reminder of a complicated political landscape that’s no less disparate today.

You said: One of the true first ‘road’ books – a search for the spirit of the ordinary American people.

Edith S, Facebook

66. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller (1934)

We said: It was banned in the US and the UK for 30 years for being too ‘pornographic,’ and undoubtedly there are smutty moments, but Henry Miller uses this to comment on the human condition. Told from a variety of first-person characters in 1930s Paris – including Miller’s own experiences as a struggling writer – the common thread between each character is their sexual encounters. 

You said: Loud, funny, sexual Paris in the 1930s. I read it when I was 20, and it changed the way I look at the world.

Brendan P, Facebook

67. Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes (1605)

We said: Inspired by romantic novels, a young man and his squire set off on bold adventures to prove that chivalry isn’t dead. Often labelled as the first modern novel, Don Quixote is one of the best-selling novels of all time.

You said: The comedy, insight, versatility, inspiration for other writers and more. The fact that a 17th-century work can feel so fresh. Such a light read if you want it to be, but filled with details if you want to research historical background, and literary traditions.

The Read Don Quixote Fanclub, X (formerly Twitter)

68. Staying On by Paul Scott (1977)

We said: Paul Scott passed away at the peak of his writing career and his last novel, Staying On – which won the Booker Prize in 1977 – gives us a unique insight into life just after the end of the British rule in India.

You said: A funny, tragic, beautifully written study of an English colonial married couple left behind as an independent India moves ahead.

Catherine B, Facebook

69. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908)

We said: What began as a series of letters to Kenneth Grahame’s sickly son evolved into one of England’s most beloved children’s books. A whimsical foray through the Berkshire countryside, the camaraderie between Ratty, Badger, Mole and Mr Toad embodies traditional British eccentricities to a tee. 

You said: You can enjoy this book at any age – and it’s beautifully written.

Vicky A, Facebook

70. The Quiet American by Graham Greene (1955)

We said: Drawing on Graham Greene’s own experiences as a war correspondent, the novel explores the political landscape of 1950s Vietnam through the lens of a British journalist as the tensions of the French war and the increasing interest of the Americans builds.  

You said: Everything that is brilliant about Graham Greene can be found in this book, the opening two paragraphs are a perfect example of the difference between fiction and literature.

Simon H, Facebook

71. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)

We said: Controversial at the time of publication, Emily Brontë’s classic love story between Catherine and Heathcliff still resonates with readers today.  Widely considered a staple of Gothic fiction and the English literary canon, this book has gone on to inspire many generations of writers – and will continue to do so.

You said: Beautiful, atmospheric, poignant, gripping, and with one of the most beautifully written last two paragraphs I have ever read.

Lisa, newsletter reader

72. Perfume by Patrick Süskind (1985)

We said: In 18th-century France, one man’s greatest passion and gift leads him down a path of sensual depravity. After discovering he has no scent of his own – despite having a remarkable sense of smell – Jean-Baptiste Grenouille trains in the art of perfume-making so he can create the ultimate scent – one that is made from 25 young virgin girls.

You said: A story of suspense and love, with beautiful narration.

Ivy W, Facebook

73. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)

We said: Meander down the Mississippi River with Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer; on the surface, it’s a simple adventure but dig a little deeper into Mark Twain's novel and discover undercurrents of slavery, abuse and corruption in what Hemingway described as 'The best book we've had'.

You said: This book demonstrates how a young boy learns to think for himself, and shows us how we can, too. It’s funny, sweet and sad – sometimes all in the same paragraph.

Richard C, X (formerly Twitter)

74. Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham (1915)

We said: Although it is considered Somerset Maugham’s most autobiographical work, the author stated, 'This is a novel, not an autobiography; though much in it is autobiographical, more is pure invention.’ Regardless, the story of Philip Carey, a man with ambitions who falls in love with a loud but irresistible waitress is considered one of his finest books.

You said: A compelling story of unreciprocated love.

Rajan D, Facebook

75. Bleak House by Charles Dickens (1853)

We said: At the centre of Bleak House is the never-ending legal case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce which draws together a disparate group of people who hope in some way to profit from the case. Dickens’ scathing reflection of the legal profession went some way to support a judicial reform movement in the 1870s.

You said: The characters, the rage at injustice of so many kinds, and spontaneous human combustion!

Alana, newsletter subscriber

76. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811)

We said: Between Marianne’s impulsive romantic views and her older sister’s more practical view of love, we follow the two sisters as they embark on a new life after their father’s death, experiencing love, romance, and heartbreak.

You said: I found the themes of the role of women in society interesting. Despite being 200+ years old, it is as relevant today as it was when written, and that must interest everyone, surely?

Jan, newsletter reader

77. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1891)

We said: Obsessed with beauty, a young Dorian Gray expresses a desire to sell his soul so the portrait of himself that hangs on his friend’s wall, will age instead of him. A story of evil, debauchery and scandal.  

You said: It was the first classic I ever read as a young teen and blew my expectations of classics being 'dry old books' out of the water! Gripping, dark, scandalous, and witty, it's been my favourite book ever since

Eleanor, newsletter reader

78.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843)

We said: This is arguably Dickens’ most famous tale. Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and exclamations of 'Bah Humbug!' are as synonymous with the festive seasons as Santa, turkey and Christmas pudding.

You said: A masterpiece. The ultimate story of hope and redemption.

Sergeant_Tibbs, X (formerly Twitter)

79. Silas Marner by George Eliot (1861)

We said: Silas Marner was Eliot’s favourite of her novels. It tells the story of an isolated miser, who is given a second chance to transform his life when he adopts a young orphaned child. With themes of religion, industrialisation and community, the book also provides us with a glimpse of a vanished rural world.

You said: Redemption and love. Beautifully written

Rhiannon C, Facebook

80. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925)

We said: One of literature’s most famous parties - this groundbreaking postmodernist novel takes place across one day as Clarria Dalloway’s prepares for her evening celebration while reflecting on her life.

You said: A reminder that no life is too small.

Marianna S, Facebook

81. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)

We said: In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott set out to write a book in which girls would see them themselves accurately reflected. The March sisters, with their four very different personalities and ambitions, accurately embody both the challenges of growing up and the irreplaceable bond of sisterhood.

You said: A story of growing up and changing and the world set around a group of young girls. This book is as timeless as it is beautiful.

Luke E, X (formerly Twitter)

82. The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch (1978)

We said: Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 1978, Iris Murdoch's book is the story of strange obsessions and reflections which haunt Charles Arrowby, who retires from London’s glittering theatre world to an isolated home by the sea. An unforgettable story, beautifully told.

You said: This book left me speechless while reading and after reading and I still can't find the words to describe why it is one of the most impressive pieces of writing I have ever read.

H, X (formerly Twitter)

83. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1849)

We said: Charles Dickens himself referred to this novel as his ‘favourite child’ and many of our readers agree. The story of David Copperfield and his adventures from childhood to maturity is partially an autobiographical novel based on the author’s life experiences.

You said: I love everything about this book, from the wonderful characters to the sweeping story, it's like a comfy pair of slippers that I return to time and again knowing I won't be disappointed.

Alison, newsletter reader

84. The Castle by Franz Kafka (1926)

We said: Taking the word ‘Kafkaesque’ to new levels, The Castle is a nightmarish reach into an autocratic world. Bamboozling from start to the very unfinished end (the novel ends mid-sentence), this is Franz Kafka’s finest commentary on oppression and bureaucracy.

You said: This book leads the reader into a maze of conundrums, confusion, iciness and moral fog. Never to be forgotten once read.

Arnold F, X (formerly Twitter)

85. I, Claudius by Robert Graves (1934)

You said: Written in the form of an autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, Robert Graves' novel captures the madness and debauchery of ancient Rome. Both I, Claudius and Graves’s sequel Claudius the God are regarded today as pioneering masterpieces of historical fiction, as well as gripping reads.  

You said: A beautifully written novel about absolute power. Very relevant.

Ian M, X (formerly Twitter)

86. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1969)

You said: The autobiographical fiction draws on Maya Angelou’s life overcoming racism and trauma through her love of literature to her becoming a mother at the age of 16. Angelou went on to write six more volumes chronicling her life.

You said: Heartbreaking and funny and definitely a classic.  

Claire, Facebook

87. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (1980)

You said: A medievalist protagonist encounters a series of misadventures in a comedic exploration of the human condition. John Kennedy Toole's novel is widely regarded today as a tragicomic classic that exposes 'intellectualism'.

You said: I chose this book just because the characters are fantastic, and it makes me laugh.

Sharon, X (formerly Twitter)

88. The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham (1944)

You said: Featuring Maugham himself as a character and adapted twice for the big screen, The Razor's Edge tells the story of an American pilot trying to adjust back to normal life following the First World War. It’s a gruelling look at the devastating effects of post-war trauma, and a philosophical journey to find meaning in life.

You said: A profound story of one man’s journey to find himself.

Holden M, X (formerly Twitter)

89. Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson (1939)

You said: Many will remember the recent BBC series of the same name; Lark Rise to Candleford is author Flora Thompson’s semi-autobiographical recollections of her youth and growing up in Oxfordshire, and paints a delightful portrait of country life at the end of the 19th century.

You said: Perhaps a little bit out of a left-field, but I love this book. It's simple, it's beautifully written and it's all about capturing a vanishing way of life as countryside farming turns to Victorian towns... really eloquent, really moving!

Vicky, X (formerly Twitter)

90. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy (1878)

We said: When proud and passionate Eustacia Vye marries Clym Yeobright, she believes she can finally leave her rural life at Egdon Heath behind. But their unhappy marriage causes a chain of events culminating in tragedy, and their realisation that their destinies cannot be controlled.

You said: I chose this book because Eustacia Vye is misunderstood - as are many women.

Linda M, X (formerly Twitter)

91. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (1916)

We said: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man was James Joyce’s first novel and details the young artist discovering his voice, craft and identity through his literary alter ego, Stephen Dedalus. There are echoes of his techniques here before they are refined in his later works such as Ulysses and Finnegans Wake.

You said: Joyce is not only the greatest stylist in English, but the novel contains one of the most complex discussions of aesthetics in the 20th century.

Donald K, X (formerly Twitter)

92. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1902)

We said: Joseph Conrad’s novella has been deemed by many as a ‘difficult read’, but this enigmatic and atmospheric piece of fiction of Charles Marlow’s journey up the Congo river – which also provided the inspiration for Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now – will leave you unfolding its many layers for a long time after. 

You said: What an amazing piece of writing from someone who had to learn the language first...

Tracey L, X (formerly Twitter)

93. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1854)

We said: A swooningly romantic book with an exhilaratingly combative pairing at the centre. The themes of wealth and gender inequality are woven in seamlessly and are completely integral to the electric dynamic between Margaret Hale and John Thornton.

You said: This novel combines a beautiful love story and discussion of important economical and social issues of its time.

Alina, X (formerly Twitter)

94. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

We said: ‘When it first came out it was viewed as being far-fetched,’ said Margaret Atwood in 2017. The continued regression of abortion laws and women’s rights across the world has only made Atwood’s dystopian all the more pertinent; and ensures the book – and TV show’s – place in history as a lynchpin of the feminist resistance.

You said: I chose this book because it gives a feminist perspective on the world. Also, Atwood uses events from history to create the story, which I find important. History is a circle.

Emma H, X (formerly Twitter)

95. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956)

We said: David, a young American, awaits his fiancée in Paris when he meets Giovanni, a handsome Italian barman. As their friendship develops into an intense affair, David is faced with a choice of following his heart and accepting his sexuality or marrying to suit social convention.

You said: The aesthetics and effect are breathtaking.

J.C.Osborne, Instagram

96. The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969)

We said: Both Mario Puzo's book and 1972 film adaptation became global phenomena with this searing portrayal of New York’s Mafia underworld. A powerful story of tradition, blood, honour and of course, family allegiance.

You said: This novel teaches the reader about the strengths and failures of human nature.

Louisa J, X (formerly Twitter)

97. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (1860)

We said: An eerie encounter on a moonlit road towards Hampstead Heath begins this gothic romp through country manors, secluded graveyards, and the horrors of Victorian asylums.

You said: So much plot! Fantastic characters. An irresistible villain and a mysterious secret. What's not to love?

Aileen, newsletter reader

98. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1962)

We said: This deeply personal and unforgettable account of a day in the life at a Soviet labour camp in the 1950s is highly considered to be one of the greats of contemporary literature.

You said: Solzhenitsyn’s writing from personal experience of life/existence in a forced labour camp under Stalin's communist regime is a stark, brutal, masterpiece.

Brian T, X (formerly Twitter)

99. White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1848)

We said: One of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's underrated works, this short story is divided into six sections. With themes of loneliness and unrequited love told by a nameless narrator – it’s quintessential Dostoyevsky.

You said: This is an incredibly beautiful and uplifting book. Everyone should read it!

Melly, X (formerly Twitter)

100. Hard Times by Charles Dickens (1854)

We said: Dickens uses the fictional town of Coketown and its inhabitants to explore the harsh realities of the Industrial Age and the importance of imagination in a world driven by fact.

You said: Pathos, humour, social comment, politic and incredibly well-drawn, believable characters.

Angela, X (formerly Twitter)