The Greatest "Political, Fiction, Satire" Books Since 1970

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 '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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Genres

Political

The "Political" category of books encompasses works that explore the theory, practice, and history of government and politics. These books may cover topics such as political ideologies, political systems, political institutions, political movements, and political leaders. They may also examine the relationship between politics and other areas of society, such as economics, culture, and international relations. Political books can be both informative and thought-provoking, offering readers insights into the complexities of the political world and the challenges of governing in a democratic society.

Fiction

Satire

Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize and ridicule human vices, follies, and shortcomings. It is a form of social commentary that aims to expose the flaws and absurdities of society, politics, and culture. Satirical books often employ sarcasm, wit, and parody to challenge the status quo and provoke thought and reflection in readers. Satire can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it has been used throughout history as a powerful tool for social and political critique.

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  1. 1. White Teeth by Zadie Smith

    This novel follows the lives of two friends, a working-class Englishman and a Bangladeshi Muslim, living in London. The story explores the complex relationships between people of different races, cultures, and generations in modern Britain, with themes of identity, immigration, and the cultural and social changes that have shaped the country. The narrative is enriched by the characters' personal histories and the historical events that have shaped their lives.

  2. 2. Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe

    This novel follows the life of a successful Wall Street bond trader who, after a wrong turn in the Bronx, finds his life spiraling out of control. After a hit-and-run accident in a predominantly black neighborhood, he becomes the target of a political witch hunt, exacerbating racial tensions in the city. As the protagonist's world unravels, the story provides a satirical commentary on 1980s New York City, exploring themes of racism, classism, politics, and greed.

  3. 3. Waiting for the Barbarians by J M Coetzee

    The novel is set in a small frontier town of an unnamed empire, where the magistrate lives a life of civil service and relative peace. His world is disrupted when the Empire declares a state of emergency due to rumors of barbarian uprising. The magistrate becomes a critic of the Empire's brutal and inhumane methods of dealing with the perceived threat, which leads to his arrest and torture. As he tries to understand his role in the vast political machinery, he also grapples with questions of power, justice, and humanity.

  4. 4. The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera

    This novel is a blend of fiction, autobiography, and philosophical musings that explores the nature of forgetting, the power of laughter, and the struggle for personal and political freedom. Set against the backdrop of the political turmoil in Czechoslovakia in the 20th century, it follows the interconnected stories of various characters, including a man who is expelled from the Communist Party, a young woman in love with a man whose father was a political prisoner, and a couple who flee to America. Throughout, the book delves into the ways in which personal and collective memories shape identity and history.

  5. 5. The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst

    Set in the 1980s during the era of Margaret Thatcher's conservative government in Britain, this novel follows the life of a young gay man named Nick Guest. Coming from a middle-class background, he moves into the home of his wealthy friend's family and becomes infatuated with the opulence and power of the upper class. As he navigates his way through this new world, he also explores his sexuality, all while dealing with the societal and political implications of the AIDS crisis.

  6. 6. The Sellout by Paul Beatty

    This satirical novel follows the story of an African-American man living in a small, agrarian town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. After his father's death, he attempts to reinstate slavery and segregation in his town as a means of creating a sense of identity for himself and his community. The novel explores themes of racial identity and equality in America, challenging societal norms and expectations through its provocative narrative.

  7. 7. What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe

    This satirical novel follows the story of the Winshaw family, a wealthy and corrupt British family who have a significant influence on British society in fields such as politics, business, media, and the arts. The narrative is presented through the eyes of a commissioned biographer who is trying to make sense of the family's history and their impact on society. As he delves deeper into the family's affairs, he uncovers dark secrets and becomes entangled in a complex web of deceit and murder.

  8. 8. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

    "The Sympathizer" is a gripping spy novel set during the Vietnam War. The protagonist is a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who is a communist double agent. After the Fall of Saigon, he moves to America with other South Vietnamese refugees and struggles to reconcile his dual loyalties as he continues to spy on his fellow countrymen in exile. The novel explores themes of identity, war, and politics, while providing a unique perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

  9. 9. 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.

  10. 10. On Beauty by Zadie Smith

    This novel is a contemporary, multicultural exploration of family life, love, and identity. It follows the lives of two mixed-race families, the Belseys and the Kipps, who are linked by their shared professions in academia and a complex web of marital and extramarital relationships. The story is set against the backdrop of Wellington, a fictional New England town, and explores themes of race, class, and cultural clash. It also delves into the world of academia, examining the politics and conflicts that arise in that environment.

  11. 11. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

    "The White Tiger" is a darkly humorous novel set in modern-day India that explores the country's class struggle through the eyes of an ambitious and cunning protagonist. Born in a poor village, he moves to Delhi to work as a chauffeur for a rich family. He eventually breaks free from his life of servitude by committing an act of shocking violence, and uses his newfound freedom to become a successful entrepreneur in Bangalore. The story, told through a series of letters written to the Chinese Premier, is a scathing critique of India's social and economic disparities, and the corruption that permeates all levels of society.

  12. 12. The Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel García Márquez

    The novel explores the life of an eternal dictator who has ruled over a Caribbean nation for several decades. The patriarch's oppressive regime is marked by corruption, violence, and absurdity, while his personal life is characterized by loneliness and paranoia. The narrative is a complex, non-linear exploration of power, time, and the dehumanizing effects of political tyranny. The patriarch's death prompts a reflection on his life and reign, revealing a mythical, magical, and horrifying reality.

  13. 13. The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey

    "The Monkey Wrench Gang" is a novel about four environmental activists who form a group to sabotage projects that they believe harm the natural environment in the American Southwest. The group's activities range from vandalism to arson, as they target billboards, bridges, and bulldozers, among other things. The novel explores themes of civil disobedience, the ethics of violence, and the tension between individual freedom and societal structures, all set against the backdrop of the expansive western landscape.

  14. 14. Shame by Salman Rushdie

    "Shame" is a novel that explores the political and social climate of post-colonial Pakistan through the intertwined lives of three families. The story is a blend of magical realism and historical fiction, focusing on themes of shame, identity, and power. The narrative is laced with satire and explores the consequences of living in a society where honor is prized above all else. The story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, giving readers a deep insight into the complex socio-political dynamics of a nation in transition.

  15. 15. Mao II by Don DeLillo

    "Mao II" is a novel that explores the life of a reclusive novelist who hasn't been seen in public for many years. The protagonist is drawn out of his seclusion when he becomes involved in an international crisis involving a hostage situation in Beirut. The book delves into themes of terrorism, mass culture, and the power of the written word, while examining the relationship between the individual artist and the collective society.

  16. 16. Operation Shylock by Philip Roth

    In this intriguing novel, the protagonist, a famous writer, travels to Israel to cover the trial of a former Nazi war criminal. While there, he encounters a man who is his doppelgänger and who has been using his fame to promote a controversial political agenda, including the idea that Jews should abandon Israel and return to Europe. The narrative explores themes of identity, Jewish history, and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, all while blurring the line between fiction and reality.

  17. 17. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk: A Novel by Ben Fountain

    The novel follows Billy Lynn, a 19-year-old soldier, who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour. During the tour, they're honored at a Dallas Cowboys game, which exposes the commercialization and shallow appreciation of their sacrifices. Amidst the celebration, Billy grapples with his understanding of heroism, patriotism, family, and the stark contrast between the realities of war and America's perceptions.

  18. 18. The Engineer of Human Souls by Josef Škvorecký

    The novel is a semi-autobiographical narrative of a Czechoslovakian writer who has become a professor at a Canadian university, teaching American literature. The narrative switches between his current life in Canada and his memories of the past in Czechoslovakia, including the Nazi occupation and the Communist regime. The book presents a complex portrayal of the life of an intellectual in exile and the challenges of cultural assimilation, while also exploring themes of love, politics, and the power of literature.

  19. 19. Happy Moscow by Andrey Platonov

    "Happy Moscow" is a satirical novel set in the Soviet Union during the height of Stalinist rule, following the life of a young woman, Moscow Chestnova, who is named after the capital city. Despite the harsh realities of life under an authoritarian regime, she maintains a positive and optimistic outlook, symbolizing the Soviet Union's propaganda that promoted an image of a happy and prosperous society. The novel, through its characters and their experiences, explores the paradoxes and contradictions of the Soviet society, challenging the official narrative of happiness and prosperity.

  20. 20. Matigari by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

    "Matigari" is a novel set in a post-colonial African nation, where the protagonist, who is a freedom fighter, emerges from the forest after the country's liberation, intent on finding justice and peace. However, he finds a society still deeply entrenched in corruption and oppression. The narrative uses allegory and symbolism to explore themes of justice, truth, and the fight against inequality. The protagonist's quest for justice becomes a threat to the government, leading to a manhunt for a man who is merely a myth.

  21. 21. The Real Life of Alejandro Mayta by Mario Vargas Llosa

    This novel revolves around a failed Peruvian revolution and the man who attempted to lead it, Alejandro Mayta. The story is told from the perspective of a novelist who is researching Mayta's life and the events surrounding the failed uprising. The narrative oscillates between the present and the past, unraveling the complex threads of Mayta's personal history, political beliefs, and the broader socio-political context of Peru. The novel explores themes of truth, fiction, and the blurry lines between them.

  22. 22. Waiting for the Dark, Waiting for the Light by Ivan Klíma

    The novel is set in the twilight of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia and follows the life of a television cameraman named Pavel. Despite his dreams of becoming a filmmaker and capturing the truth, he is trapped in a job that requires him to distort it. As the regime starts to crumble, Pavel grapples with the opportunities and challenges that freedom brings. He is forced to confront his past, his moral choices, and his dreams, leading to a deep exploration of the human condition and the struggle for personal and artistic freedom.

  23. 23. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson

    This book is a visceral, first-person account of the 1972 presidential campaign, as seen through the eyes of a maverick journalist. It blends political analysis, cultural commentary, and personal anecdotes to capture the chaotic spirit of the election that pitted incumbent President Richard Nixon against Democratic challenger George McGovern. The narrative is infused with the author's signature gonzo style, characterized by a highly subjective and often satirical approach to journalism. Through a series of articles originally written for a major magazine, the book delves into the machinations of political operatives, the mood of the American electorate, and the dark underbelly of the campaign trail, all while grappling with the broader implications of the American political system.

  24. 24. The Moscoviad by Yuri Andrukhovych

    "The Moscoviad" is a satirical novel that follows the journey of a group of Ukrainian intellectuals as they embark on a chaotic and absurd trip to Moscow. Through a series of hilarious and bizarre encounters, the author explores the complex relationship between Ukraine and Russia, while also delving into the themes of identity, history, and cultural clashes. With its sharp wit and biting commentary, the novel offers a unique perspective on the post-Soviet era and the tensions between the two neighboring countries.

  25. 25. The Coup by John Updike

    "The Coup" is a satirical novel that tells the story of Colonel Hakim Félix Ellelou, the ruler of a small, fictional, underdeveloped African nation. The narrative, delivered through Ellelou's first-person perspective, explores his anti-Western sentiments, his struggles with modernity and development, and his complex personal life, including his relationships with his four wives. The novel presents a critique of both Western imperialism and African dictatorships, using humor and wit to examine the complexities of global politics.

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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