The Greatest Scottish, South African "Fiction" Books Since 1990

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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. 26. Deep Wheel Orcadia by Harry Josephine Giles

    "Deep Wheel Orcadia" by Harry Josephine Giles is a speculative fiction novel set in a future where climate change has ravaged the world. The story follows the protagonist, a young woman named Jo, as she navigates the post-apocalyptic landscape of Orcadia, a floating city made up of interconnected wheels. Jo becomes involved in a rebellion against the oppressive ruling class, discovering secrets about the city's history and her own identity along the way. Through themes of power, resistance, and personal growth, the novel explores the complexities of a society on the brink of collapse and the resilience of the human spirit.

    The 10875th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. The Promise by Damon Galgut

    This novel delves into the lives of a white South African family over several decades, tracing the country's transition from apartheid to democracy. At the heart of the story is a broken promise made to Salome, a black woman who works for the family, to gift her a house. This unfulfilled commitment serves as a metaphor for the broader societal promises of justice and equity that remain unkept. Through the lens of one family's complex dynamics, betrayals, and secrets, the narrative explores themes of guilt, racial tensions, and the struggle for redemption, reflecting on the challenges of reconciling with the past in a changing South Africa.

    The 10875th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. Poor Things by Alasdair Gray

    "Poor Things" revolves around the life of Bella Baxter, a woman who is brought back from the dead by a Victorian-era doctor who replaces her brain with that of the fetus she was carrying at the time of her death. The book explores Bella's life as she grows up with the mind of a child but the body of a woman, her marriage to a man who tries to control her, and her eventual escape and journey of self-discovery. The narrative is presented through various documents and viewpoints, providing a complex and thought-provoking look at themes such as love, identity, and the nature of humanity.

    The 10894th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. Swing Hammer Swing! by Jeff Torrington

    The narrative is set in the 1960s in Glasgow, Scotland, and follows the life of a young man named Thomas Clay. Clay is an aspiring writer who is struggling with writer's block while dealing with the impending birth of his first child, the destruction of his tenement building, and his wife's hospitalization. The novel provides a humorous and poignant look at the hardships of urban life, the complexities of personal relationships, and the struggle for artistic expression amid the chaos of everyday existence.

    The 10894th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. The Sky Road by Ken MacLeod

    This novel is a captivating blend of science fiction and political intrigue, set in a future where humanity is divided between those living on Earth and those in space. The narrative alternates between two timelines: one following a young man in the 21st century who becomes embroiled in the construction of a space elevator, a project that promises to revolutionize humanity's place in the cosmos; and another in the far future, where a historian living in a post-apocalyptic, technologically regressed society on Earth uncovers truths about the ancient project and its impact on human civilization. The story explores themes of progress, the cyclical nature of history, and the enduring human spirit in the face of monumental challenges.

    The 10949th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

    This novel is a gripping thriller that intertwines the lives of a time-traveling serial killer and one of his survivors, who is determined to bring him to justice. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Chicago, the narrative follows the killer as he uses a mysterious house to travel through time and target young women with bright futures—his "shining girls." After one victim survives a brutal attack, she embarks on a relentless quest to find her assailant, uncovering a trail of similar murders stretching across decades. The story masterfully blends elements of crime, horror, and science fiction, creating a chilling and suspenseful tale of resilience and retribution.

    The 11073rd 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.

Download