The Greatest Serbian, Turkish Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

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.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Countries

Serbian

Turkish

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

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
  1. 1. My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk

    Set in the late 16th century Ottoman Empire, this novel explores the conflict between East and West, tradition and innovation, through the lens of miniaturist painters. When a renowned artist is murdered, his colleagues must solve the mystery while grappling with the changes in their art brought about by the western Renaissance. This complex narrative intertwines love, art, religion, and power, offering a deep exploration of the struggles between old and new.

    The 760th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

    "Memed, My Hawk" is a novel set in the harsh and lawless rural Turkey of the 1920s. It follows the story of a young boy, Memed, who becomes an outlaw and a local hero after standing up to the corrupt authorities and feudal landlords who oppress his village. The novel explores themes of love, revenge, and social justice, and is a powerful indictment of the social and economic conditions of rural Turkey in the early 20th century.

    The 1010th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Snow by Orhan Pamuk

    Set in the small city of Kars in northeastern Turkey, the novel follows a Turkish poet who has spent several years in political exile in Germany. He returns to Turkey during a time of political unrest, with tensions high between religious and secular factions. As he becomes embroiled in the turmoil, he also becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a beautiful woman. The city is cut off from the rest of the world by a relentless snowstorm, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel is a contemplation on love, faith, and the tensions between tradition and modernity.

    The 1342nd Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. A Tomb for Boris Davidovich by Danilo Kiš

    "A Tomb for Boris Davidovich" is a collection of seven short stories exploring the nature of political and personal identity, primarily in Eastern Europe during the 20th century. The stories are interconnected, each focusing on a different character who is caught up in the political turmoil of the time, often meeting tragic ends. The book is known for its exploration of totalitarianism, the nature of identity, and the power of the state over the individual.

    The 1397th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Dictionary of the Khazars by Milorad Pavic

    "Dictionary of the Khazars" is a metaphysical, historical novel written in the form of a lexicon. The book presents three different versions - Christian, Islamic, and Hebrew - of the history of the Khazars, an ancient people who converted to one of these three religions. The novel, filled with dreamlike narratives and fantastical elements, invites the reader to become an active participant, choosing their own path through the non-linear text, and even solving a murder mystery embedded within the story.

    The 2209th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Garden, Ashes by Danilo Kiš

    "Garden, Ashes" is a semi-autobiographical novel set during World War II, tracing the experiences of a Jewish boy and his eccentric father in Hungary. The narrative weaves between the boy's vivid imagination and the harsh realities of war, as he grapples with his father's unusual behavior and the increasing threat of the Holocaust. The book is a poignant exploration of childhood, family, and the impact of war on ordinary lives.

    The 2454th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. They Burn the Thistles by Yaşar Kemal

    In the sequel to the story of a defiant Anatolian peasant boy, the protagonist continues his struggle against the oppressive feudal landlords. Despite being declared an outlaw and having a bounty on his head, he does not give up his fight for justice and equality. The narrative explores the harsh realities of rural life and the deep-seated traditions of the Anatolian people, while also delving into the protagonist's inner battles and his unwavering determination to resist tyranny.

    The 2720th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. An Analysis Of The Communist System by Milovan Djilas

    The book provides a critical examination of the communist system from an insider's perspective. The author, a former high-ranking official in a communist government, offers a detailed critique of the system's theoretical and practical shortcomings. He discusses the inherent contradictions between the ideology's promises of equality and the reality of a new class of bureaucratic elites that emerge to control the state apparatus. The work delves into the mechanisms of party control, the suppression of individual freedoms, and the economic inefficiencies that plagued communist states, ultimately questioning the sustainability and moral legitimacy of the system itself.

    The 3285th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht

    "The Tiger's Wife" is a captivating novel that weaves together the lives of a young doctor and her grandfather in war-torn Balkans. As the doctor embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her grandfather's mysterious death, she unravels a tapestry of folklore, superstition, and family secrets. Through her exploration, she uncovers the extraordinary story of the tiger's wife, a woman believed to possess the power to communicate with animals. This beautifully written tale explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of storytelling.

    The 3760th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Life is a Carawanserai Has Two Doors I Went in One I Came out the Other by Emine Sevgi Özdamar

    This novel follows the life of a young Turkish girl growing up in the 1950s and 60s, exploring her experiences in a rapidly changing society. The protagonist navigates the complexities of her family life, her struggle with her identity and her eventual emigration to Germany. The book explores themes of female empowerment, cultural clashes, and the immigrant experience, all told through a unique narrative style that blends reality with dreams and folktales.

    The 3768th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Berji Kristin by Latife Tekin

    The book is a poignant exploration of the lives of squatters in the outskirts of Istanbul during the 1970s and 1980s. Through a blend of magical realism and stark social commentary, it tells the story of a community of rural migrants who, in search of better prospects, build a shantytown named "Flower Hill" on the city's periphery. The narrative delves into the daily struggles, dreams, and communal bonds of these individuals as they grapple with the harsh realities of urban poverty, political upheaval, and rapid modernization that threaten to erase their makeshift neighborhood. The novel is a tapestry of interconnected tales that together paint a vivid portrait of resilience and survival amidst systemic marginalization.

    The 4588th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Black Book by Orhan Pamuk

    The novel focuses on a man searching for his wife in Istanbul, who disappeared without a trace. In his search, he discovers a secret, surreal world in the city and starts to understand his wife's involvement in political activism. The narrative is interwoven with stories from a column written by his wife's half-brother, which the protagonist believes may hold clues to her disappearance. The book is a complex exploration of identity, storytelling, and the role of literature in society.

    The 5399th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Autobiografija by Branislav Nušić

    This book is a satirical account that delves into the life and times of its author, a prominent figure in Serbian literature. Through a blend of humor and irony, it explores his experiences from childhood, his education, and his varied professional endeavors, including his time in the civil service and his involvement in the theater. The narrative is marked by the author's keen observations of societal norms and the bureaucratic absurdities of his era, presenting a critical yet humorous critique of the social and political milieu of the Balkans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through its engaging prose, the autobiography not only offers insights into the author's personal life but also provides a window into the cultural and historical context of the period, making it a significant work in the canon of Serbian literature.

    The 5463rd Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Possessed by Elif Batuman

    "The Possessed" is a compelling narrative that combines memoir, criticism, and travel writing to explore the author's deep fascination with Russian literature. Through her experiences as a graduate student at Stanford, her travels to Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan, and her encounters with other scholars, the author delves into the works of great Russian authors such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, while also reflecting on the nature of literature, identity, and the human condition.

    The 5862nd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

    This novel intertwines two parallel narratives, one set in the 13th century and one in the modern day. The contemporary story follows a discontented American housewife who, while working as a reader for a literary agency, comes across a novel about the 13th-century poet Rumi and his spiritual mentor, Shams of Tabriz. As she delves into their story, she uncovers Shams' forty rules of love and begins to question her own life and relationships. The historical narrative, on the other hand, explores the transformative friendship between Rumi and Shams, and how their bond revolutionized Rumi's poetry and outlook on life.

    The 6603rd Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. The Museum Of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk

    This novel delves into the obsessive love of Kemal, a wealthy Istanbulite, for Füsun, a distant relative and a shopgirl, which begins in 1975 and spans over 30 years. After a brief affair, Füsun marries another man, but Kemal's love remains unyielding. He starts collecting objects that remind him of his love for her, eventually creating a museum dedicated to their relationship. Set against the backdrop of Istanbul's changing society, the story explores themes of love, longing, class, and the power of memory, as Kemal's life becomes a testament to his unattainable desire, encapsulated within the walls of his museum.

    The 6721st Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Selected Poems by Vasko Popa

    "Selected Poems" is a compilation of the most notable works by one of Serbia's most prominent poets, offering a journey through a landscape rich with folklore, myth, and personal symbolism. The collection showcases the poet's mastery of metaphor and his ability to distill complex human emotions and existential themes into concise, powerful imagery. His poetry, often characterized by a sense of mystery and a deep connection to the collective unconscious, reflects both the cultural heritage of his homeland and universal human experiences, resonating with readers across cultural boundaries. Through his unique voice, the poet invites readers to explore the depths of the human psyche and the paradoxes of life and death.

    The 7193rd Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

    "The Bastard of Istanbul" is a novel that tells the story of two families, one Turkish and one Armenian American. It explores the deep, intricate history between the two nations through the eyes of the characters, while also tackling themes of identity, memory, and the past. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of the women in both families, who carry the burden of their ancestors' secrets, and a young man haunted by the ghost of a long-dead Armenian. The novel delves into the complexities of love, family, and the lasting effects of the Armenian genocide on its descendants.

    The 8633rd Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. Life's Good, Brother by Nâzim Hikmet

    "Life's Good, Brother" is a poignant narrative that explores the emotional and psychological depths of a man grappling with the harsh realities of life in a Turkish prison during the mid-20th century. Through a series of letters and reflective musings, the protagonist, who is a political prisoner, delves into themes of love, longing, and the enduring human spirit. His introspective journey is interwoven with his interactions with fellow inmates and memories of the outside world, painting a vivid picture of resilience and the unyielding hope for freedom and justice amidst oppressive circumstances.

    The 9905th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. The Use Of Man by Aleksandar Tišma

    This novel delves into the harrowing experiences of a group of friends from a small town in Yugoslavia as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of World War II and its aftermath. Through their intertwined lives, the narrative explores the profound impacts of war, betrayal, love, and survival. As each character endures the brutalities of the conflict and the challenging post-war realities, their stories reveal the deep scars left by war on individuals and society. The book poignantly examines the complexities of human nature and the indelible marks of history on personal and collective identities.

    The 10005th 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