The Greatest Multiple, Swiss "Fiction" 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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  1. 1. I'm Not Stiller by Max Frisch

    The book is a profound exploration of identity and the human condition, revolving around a man who is arrested upon his return to his home country, Switzerland, after spending time in America. Although he insists he is not the man, Stiller, that everyone believes him to be, his protests are ignored. The story unfolds as he writes in his prison cell, reflecting on his past life and relationships, and grappling with the question of who he truly is. It's a thought-provoking narrative that challenges conventional notions of selfhood and personal identity.

    The 684th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Jakob Von Gunten by Robert Walser

    This novel is a first-person account of a young man who leaves his privileged life to enroll at a school for servants in Berlin. The protagonist's observations and experiences in the school, his interactions with the headmaster and other students, and his internal struggles and reflections form the crux of the story. The narrative, imbued with irony and dark humor, explores themes of power, submission, individuality, and the absurdity of societal norms and expectations.

    The 763rd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Heidi by Johanna Spyri

    "Heidi" is a heartwarming tale about a young orphan girl named Heidi who is sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Despite the initial challenges she faces, Heidi's pure and joyful spirit brings warmth and happiness to the people around her. Through her adventures and friendships, Heidi learns important lessons about love, resilience, and the beauty of nature.

    The 802nd Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Green Henry by Gottfried Keller

    "Green Henry" is a semi-autobiographical novel that chronicles the life of a young man who dreams of becoming a painter but faces countless obstacles on his journey. The protagonist leaves his Swiss village and travels to Munich to study art, but his lack of discipline and financial difficulties force him to return home. After his mother's death, he begins to reassess his life and eventually finds his place in society. The novel explores themes of identity, ambition, and the struggle between individual desires and societal expectations.

    The 806th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen

    "Belle du Seigneur" is a tragic love story set in the 1930s, revolving around a high-ranking Jewish official who works for the League of Nations and his passionate affair with a married Swiss aristocrat. The narrative delves deep into their intense relationship, exploring themes of obsession, self-destruction, and existential despair, all set against the backdrop of the impending Second World War. The novel is also notable for its satirical portrayal of diplomatic life and its exploration of Jewish identity.

    The 1149th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Adolphe by Benjamin Constant

    "Adolphe" is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of a young man, Adolphe, who falls in love with an older woman, Ellénore. The novel explores the complexities and consequences of their illicit love affair, as Adolphe struggles with his feelings and societal expectations. The story delves into themes of love, power, freedom, and the individual versus society, offering a profound psychological and moral insight into human nature.

    The 1177th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Homo Faber by Max Frisch

    "Homo Faber" is a novel about a man named Walter Faber, a highly rational and logical Swiss engineer who believes strongly in technology and progress. His life is turned upside down when he survives a plane crash in the Mexican desert, falls in love with a young woman who turns out to be his daughter, and then loses her to a tragic death. This series of events forces him to question his faith in technology and confront the irrationality of life.

    The 1231st Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Despair by Vladimir Nabokov

    The novel revolves around a man who encounters his doppelgänger and becomes obsessed with the striking resemblance between them. This obsession leads him to concoct an elaborate scheme involving identity exchange and insurance fraud. As the protagonist meticulously plans what he believes to be the perfect crime, his narrative becomes increasingly unreliable, revealing his descent into madness. The story unfolds through a complex structure of layered storytelling, blending reality with the protagonist's delusions, and culminates in a darkly ironic twist that challenges the reader's perception of truth and fiction.

    The 2110th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Moravagine by Blaise Cendrars

    The novel follows the adventures of an eccentric, violent, and mentally unstable protagonist who is released from an asylum by his psychiatrist. The pair embark on a chaotic journey across Europe and America, encountering a variety of strange and often dangerous situations. The narrative explores themes of insanity, violence, and the human condition, offering a dark and surreal critique of modern society.

    The 2117th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Satyricon by Petronius

    The book in question is a satirical Roman work that provides a vivid, episodic portrayal of the decadent society during the reign of Nero. It follows the misadventures of the narrator and his companions as they navigate a world of excess, corruption, and hedonism. Through a series of events ranging from banquets to shipwrecks, the narrative offers a critique of the moral decay of Roman society, using humor, irony, and the perspective of characters from various social strata. The fragmented nature of the surviving text adds to its enigmatic and chaotic depiction of the period's social mores.

    The 2152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Novel With Cocaine by M. Ageyev

    The book in question is a psychological novel set in the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution. It follows the life of a disaffected young man who, after being expelled from school, descends into a hedonistic lifestyle in Moscow's seedy underbelly. As he indulges in romantic pursuits and the eponymous drug, his intellectual arrogance and detachment from society grow. The narrative offers a dark and introspective exploration of nihilism, addiction, and the loss of innocence, ultimately painting a portrait of a protagonist caught between the demise of old-world Russia and the rise of the Soviet Union, all while grappling with his own moral decay.

    The 2182nd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

    This classic novel follows the adventures of a Swiss family who are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. Through ingenuity, hard work, and family cooperation, they overcome the challenges of isolation and the dangers of an unknown environment. The story showcases their efforts to build a new life for themselves, exploring and adapting to their surroundings, discovering new plants and animals, and creating a home filled with love and learning. It is a tale of survival, resourcefulness, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

    The 2235th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Pledge by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

    This book is a gripping crime story that delves into the complexities of human nature and the limitations of the justice system. It follows the journey of a retired police detective who becomes obsessed with solving the murder of a young girl, promising the victim's parents to find the perpetrator. As he delves deeper into the investigation, his methods become increasingly unconventional, straying from standard police procedure and relying instead on a meticulously crafted plan to catch the killer. The narrative challenges the conventional detective story format, exploring themes of obsession, the unpredictability of life, and the moral ambiguities of justice, ultimately questioning whether the ends justify the means in the pursuit of truth.

    The 2306th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Man in the Holocene by Max Frisch

    The book is a narrative about an elderly man who, isolated in his home during a rainstorm in the Swiss Alps, reflects on his life, mortality, and the human condition. The protagonist spends his time reading encyclopedic entries and clipping them to his wall, creating a mosaic of human knowledge and history. The narrative is interspersed with these entries, presenting a blend of fiction and non-fiction, and exploring themes of memory, time, and the fleeting nature of human existence.

    The 2318th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf

    "The Black Spider" is a chilling and haunting tale set in a small Swiss village. It tells the story of a pact made with the devil by the villagers' ancestors, resulting in a curse that manifests in the form of a black spider. As the spider spreads terror and death, the villagers must confront their own sins and grapple with the consequences of their forefathers' actions. This dark and atmospheric novella explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the destructive power of evil.

    The 2400th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. The Judge and His Hangman by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

    This book is a crime novel set in Switzerland, where a police lieutenant is tasked with solving the murder of his former colleague. The narrative explores themes of justice, revenge, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The lieutenant, despite being terminally ill, is determined to solve the case and in the process, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that forces him to question his own morality and the nature of justice. The story is a philosophical examination of the criminal justice system and the moral dilemmas faced by those who enforce the law.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Attis And Other Poems by Catullus

    "Attis and Other Poems" is a collection of lyrical works that delve into themes of love, desire, and personal anguish. The poems are characterized by their emotional intensity and vivid imagery, often reflecting the poet's own tumultuous love affairs and inner turmoil. The titular poem, "Attis," stands out with its mythological narrative and exploration of themes such as identity and transformation. Throughout the collection, the poet's mastery of language and form is evident, as he skillfully weaves together personal experiences with broader reflections on human nature and the complexities of the human heart.

    The 2898th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Dybbuk by S. Ansky

    The book is a seminal work in Yiddish literature and folklore, centering around the concept of a dybbuk—a malicious possessing spirit from Jewish mythology. The narrative follows the tragic tale of a young bride in a Polish shtetl who becomes possessed by the restless spirit of her dead lover, who had been wronged by his own father and her father's broken pledge. The possession leads to a dramatic exorcism and a series of events that explore themes of love, betrayal, and the clash between the mystical and the rational, as well as the boundaries of life and death. The story delves into the rich tapestry of Jewish mysticism, community, and tradition, reflecting the cultural and religious tensions of Eastern European Jews before the First World War.

    The 4467th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. Infortunios De Alonso Ramirez / The Misfortunes Of Alonso Ramirez by José F. Buscaglia-Salgado, Carlos de Siguenza y Gongora

    The book chronicles the harrowing adventures of Alonso Ramírez, a Puerto Rican man who, after being forced into piracy, endures a series of calamitous events at sea and across various lands. Captured by pirates, he survives shipwrecks, enslavement, and numerous hardships before eventually making his way back to Spanish territory. His story, which is presented as a true account, blurs the lines between fact and fiction, offering a unique perspective on colonial life, maritime culture, and the struggles of individuals caught between different worlds during the late 17th century.

    The 4612th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Summulae De Dialectica by John Buridan, Gyula Klima

    "Summulae De Dialectica" is a comprehensive exploration of medieval logic, focusing on the intricacies of philosophical reasoning and argumentation. The text delves into various forms of logical analysis and syllogistic structures, providing a detailed examination of the principles and applications of dialectical reasoning. It serves as a critical resource for understanding the evolution of logical methodologies during the medieval period, reflecting the intellectual rigor and analytical depth characteristic of scholastic philosophy. The work is pivotal for scholars interested in the history of logic, philosophy, and medieval studies.

    The 4688th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. The Fundamental Wisdom Of The Middle Way by Nagarjuna, Jay L. Garfield

    "The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way" is a philosophical text that explores the Buddhist concept of emptiness and the nature of reality. The work is a verse-by-verse commentary on the challenges and questions pertaining to conventional existence and ultimate truth, aiming to resolve the dichotomies and contradictions inherent in ordinary experience. Through rigorous argumentation and logical analysis, the text deconstructs the assumptions of inherent existence in phenomena, proposing instead that all things exist interdependently. This exposition not only deepens the understanding of Buddhist philosophy but also offers insights into the nature of suffering and liberation.

    The 4688th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. De Anima by Aristotle

    "De Anima" is a foundational philosophical treatise that explores the concept of the soul and its relation to the body. The work delves into the nature of life itself, categorizing different kinds of souls possessed by different kinds of living things, such as plants, animals, and humans. It discusses the faculties of the soul, including the nutritive, perceptive, and intellectual aspects, and investigates their functions and interactions. The treatise also examines issues of perception, cognition, and memory, arguing that the soul is the principle of life and the source of all vital functions, ultimately aiming to define the essence of life and the basis of all living activities.

    The 4688th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

    The narrative revolves around the return of a wealthy woman to her impoverished hometown, where she offers the residents a disturbing proposition: a vast fortune in exchange for the life of the man who wronged her in her youth. As the townspeople's initial horror gives way to the corrupting influence of the promised wealth, moral integrity collapses, leading to a dark and cynical exploration of human nature, justice, and revenge. The story serves as a powerful commentary on the capacity for greed to erode community values and the price of justice in a world governed by materialism.

    The 5737th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. Two Essays on Analytical Psychology by Carl Jung

    This book contains two comprehensive essays that delve into the depths of analytical psychology. The first essay explores the role of the unconscious in the human psyche, discussing its influence on dreams, mythology, and mental illnesses. The second essay delves into the process of individuation, which is the psychological process of integrating the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind to achieve self-actualization. This work is a foundational text in understanding the theories and concepts of analytical psychology.

    The 5738th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. Sweet Days of Discipline by Fleur Jaeggy

    The novel is a haunting tale of a young girl's experiences at a Swiss boarding school in the post-World War II era. The protagonist becomes infatuated with a fellow student, leading to an exploration of intense emotions, obsession, and the harsh realities of discipline and conformity within the rigid structure of the school. The narrative is characterized by its stark, minimalist prose and its exploration of themes such as loneliness, desire, and the loss of innocence.

    The 6677th 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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