The Greatest Portuguese, Greek, Swiss "Fiction" Books Since 1950

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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. The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa

    "The Book of Disquiet" is a posthumously published collection of thoughts and musings of a solitary dreamer, who is a Lisbon-based bookkeeper. The book delves into the mind of a man who is discontented with his mundane life and finds solace in dreaming and writing. The narrative is a profound reflection on life, solitude, and the nature of humanity, filled with philosophical insights and poetic language. The protagonist's introspective journey and his struggles with existential despair make it a seminal work in the genre of literary modernism.

    The 482nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. 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
  3. 3. The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis by José Saramago

    The novel is a metaphysical narrative about a doctor named Ricardo Reis who returns to Lisbon, Portugal after learning about the death of his friend. He finds himself in a society on the brink of dictatorship, and as he navigates through his daily life, he encounters his deceased friend's ghost and a hotel maid with whom he begins a love affair. The book explores themes of identity, love, and the nature of reality, set against the backdrop of political turmoil.

    The 1029th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Baltasar and Blimunda by José Saramago

    "Baltasar and Blimunda" is a historical love story set in 18th century Portugal. The narrative follows a maimed soldier, Baltasar, and a young clairvoyant woman, Blimunda, as they navigate the hardships of life during the Inquisition. Their love story is intertwined with the construction of the Convent of Mafra, a grandiose project initiated by the King. The novel explores themes of love, faith, human resilience, and the struggle against political and religious oppression.

    The 1105th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis

    This novel presents an alternative interpretation of the life of Jesus Christ, who is depicted as a conflicted, all-too-human figure who struggles with his divine destiny. The book explores his journey through life, his friendships, his fears, and his ultimate temptation to avoid crucifixion and live a normal life. The narrative delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of his experiences, creating a complex, humanized portrayal of a traditionally divine figure.

    The 1135th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. 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
  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. Blindness by José Saramago

    In this dystopian novel, an unexplained epidemic of "white blindness" sweeps through an unnamed city, causing chaos and panic. The government responds by quarantining the afflicted in an abandoned mental hospital, where conditions quickly deteriorate into violence and squalor. Amid the despair, one woman mysteriously retains her sight and guides a small band of the blind, including her husband, through the harrowing ordeal. The novel explores themes of loss, human nature, and the fragility of civilization.

    The 1311th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Z by Vassilis Vassilikos

    "Z" is a political novel that explores the events surrounding the assassination of a prominent leftist politician in Greece. The story delves into the corruption and violence that pervades the government, with the narrative alternating between the perspectives of the victim, the assassins, the investigators, and the government officials involved. The novel is a critique of political tyranny and an exploration of the struggle for justice in a corrupt system.

    The 1562nd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. 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
  11. 11. 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
  12. 12. The Third Wedding by Kōstas Tachtsēs

    "The Third Wedding" is a powerful exploration of love, passion, and societal expectations set in mid-20th century Greece. The story revolves around a strong-willed and independent woman who has been married twice and is about to enter her third marriage. The narrative delves into her past love affairs, her struggle with the societal norms of the time, and her quest for personal freedom. The book is a poignant commentary on the condition of women in a patriarchal society and the sacrifices they make in the name of love and duty.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. 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
  14. 14. The Gospel According To Jesus Christ by José Saramago

    This novel offers a provocative and humanized retelling of the life of Jesus Christ, diverging from traditional biblical narratives. It presents a Jesus who is all too human, grappling with the complexities of life, love, and a sense of destiny. Through a blend of biblical lore and imaginative fiction, the story explores themes of divinity, free will, and morality, challenging readers to reconsider the foundations of faith and the nature of storytelling itself. The narrative delves into Jesus's relationships, his encounters with figures such as God and the Devil, and ultimately portrays a deeply philosophical and introspective version of a figure central to Western civilization.

    The 2925th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Land At The End Of The World by António Lobo Antunes

    This novel is a poignant and harrowing account of the Angolan War of Independence from the perspective of a disillusioned Portuguese medic. Through a series of barroom confessions to an unnamed interlocutor, the narrator recounts his experiences of the brutal conflict, the horrors he witnessed, and the impact it had on his psyche. The narrative is a blend of vivid war memories and reflections on the post-war life, exploring themes of love, loss, and the haunting legacy of colonialism. The author's rich, poetic language and innovative storytelling techniques create a powerful, immersive experience, capturing the futility of war and the indelible scars it leaves on individuals and nations alike.

    The 3015th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. Fado Alexandrino by António Lobo Antunes

    "Fado Alexandrino" is a complex narrative that follows the lives of four Portuguese men who meet at a dinner in Lisbon to commemorate their return from the colonial war in Mozambique ten years prior. Each man, representing different social classes, recounts his life before, during, and after the war, revealing their personal struggles and the impact of the war on their lives. The novel also reflects the political and social changes in Portugal from the dictatorship era to the revolution and its aftermath.

    The 3032nd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Signs Of Fire by Jorge de Sena

    "Signs of Fire" is a historical novel set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and the onset of World War II, exploring the coming-of-age of a young Portuguese man. The protagonist, caught between the expectations of his bourgeois family and his own political awakening, grapples with the tumultuous events of the era, his personal relationships, and his burgeoning intellectual and ideological convictions. As he navigates love, friendship, and the struggle for meaning in a world on the brink of chaos, the novel delves into themes of identity, resistance, and the impact of historical forces on individual lives.

    The 3234th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The History of the Siege of Lisbon by José Saramago

    This narrative revolves around a proofreader named Raimundo Silva, who, while working on a historical text about the Siege of Lisbon, decides to alter history by adding a single word to the text, turning the factual account into a fictional one. This act of rebellion leads him into a relationship with his boss, Maria Sara, and together they explore the consequences of questioning historical facts and narratives. The story also delves into the power of language and storytelling, and the blurred lines between history and fiction.

    The 3428th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The Daughter by Pavlos Matesis

    "The Daughter" is a powerful novel set in Greece during the Second World War. The narrative follows the life of a young girl who is forced to grow up quickly due to the harsh realities of war. Her father, a communist, is executed by the Germans, and the girl is left to navigate the complexities of life, politics, and love in a world that is rapidly changing. The book offers a poignant exploration of the human capacity for resilience, survival, and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

    The 3605th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Astradeni by Eugenia Fakinou

    "Astradeni" is a coming-of-age novel set in post-World War II Greece. The story follows the life of a young girl named Astradeni, who is forced to grow up quickly due to the harsh realities of war and poverty. Despite the hardships she faces, Astradeni maintains a hopeful and imaginative spirit, often escaping into a world of myths and legends. The novel explores themes of resilience, the power of storytelling, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

    The 3681st Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis

    The novel follows the story of a young man who becomes fascinated by his reclusive and eccentric Uncle Petros. As he delves into his uncle's past, he uncovers Petros' obsession with proving Goldbach's Conjecture, a famous unsolved problem in number theory. This obsession led to Petros' alienation from society and ultimately his downfall. The book explores themes of mathematical obsession, family relationships, and the fine line between genius and madness.

    The 3757th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. Nos Matamos O Cão Tinhoso by Bernardo Honwana

    "Nos Matamos O Cão Tinhoso" is a collection of short stories that vividly depicts the harsh reality of life in Mozambique during the colonial era. Through the eyes of young protagonists, the book explores themes of racism, poverty, and the struggle for identity and freedom. With its powerful narratives and evocative language, the stories offer a poignant reflection on the social and political challenges faced by the people of Mozambique.

    The 3791st Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. The Story Of Andreas Kordopatis by Thanassis Valtinos

    This novel unfolds the life journey of Andreas Kordopatis, tracing his odyssey from his origins in the Peloponnese, through his ventures in the United States and his return to Greece. Set against the backdrop of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the narrative weaves through the personal and historical, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the pursuit of a better life. Through a blend of personal accounts, letters, and third-person narration, the reader is immersed in the struggles and aspirations of a man navigating the complexities of diaspora and the relentless quest for home and belonging amidst the turbulent tides of history.

    The 3791st Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. The Plant, The Well, The Angel by Vassilis Vassilikos

    This novel weaves a complex narrative that explores the interconnectedness of human life, nature, and the divine. Through the symbolic elements of a plant, a well, and an angel, the story delves into themes of growth, discovery, and spiritual awakening. Set against a backdrop that blends the mundane with the mystical, the narrative follows the journey of its characters as they navigate personal and collective challenges, ultimately seeking redemption and enlightenment. The author masterfully uses these symbols to reflect on the essence of existence, the cycles of life, and the pursuit of meaning in a world filled with both beauty and hardship.

    The 3791st Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. Η κρύπτη by Ε.Χ. Γονατάς

    The book unfolds within the mysterious and eerie confines of a crypt, where secrets from the past and present intertwine. As the protagonist delves deeper into the crypt's enigmatic depths, they encounter a series of cryptic clues and supernatural occurrences that challenge their understanding of reality. The narrative masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, and historical fiction, leading readers on a suspenseful journey through time and darkness. The crypt, with its ancient allure and hidden dangers, becomes a character in its own right, revealing truths that are as unsettling as they are enlightening, ultimately confronting the protagonist with a revelation that could alter their perception of life and death.

    The 3791st 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