Madeleine Thien

Madeleine Thien is a Canadian author known for her novels and short stories. Her works often explore themes of memory, history, and the complexities of human relationships. She gained international recognition with her novel 'Do Not Say We Have Nothing,' which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction.

Books

Ranked Books All Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Book Of Records

    Cover of 'The Book Of Records' by Madeleine Thien

    Lina and her father arrive at The Sea, a liminal enclave between migrations, where time and eras seem to meet. There she befriends neighbors from different periods—a Jewish scholar in 17th‑century Amsterdam, a philosopher fleeing 1930s Germany, and a Tang dynasty poet—whose conversations and teachings help Lina face revelations about her family’s past. The novel moves across centuries to explore migration, memory, guilt, responsibility, and the search for home.

    The 9041st Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. Certainty

    Cover of 'Certainty' by Madeleine Thien

    Set against the backdrop of World War II and its aftermath, this novel intricately weaves together the lives of several characters across different continents and generations. At its heart is the story of a Canadian radio producer who delves into her father's mysterious past, uncovering a poignant tale of love, loss, and the enduring impact of historical events. Through a tapestry of memories and narratives, the book explores themes of identity, memory, and the quest for understanding in a world marked by uncertainty.

    The 17007th Greatest Book of All Time
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