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. Blood Meridian

   Or the Evening Redness in the West

   

   Set in the mid-19th century, this novel follows a violent teenager known as "the Kid" as he joins a group of Indian-hunters led by the enigmatic and brutal Judge Holden. The narrative is a gruesome depiction of the lawless American West, filled with philosophical musings, vivid descriptions of the harsh landscape, and brutal, relentless violence. The story explores themes of human nature, morality, and the inherent chaos and brutality of life.

   The 212th Greatest Book of All Time

2. 2. The Road

   

   In a post-apocalyptic world, a father and his young son journey through a desolate landscape, struggling to survive. They face numerous threats including starvation, extreme weather, and dangerous encounters with other survivors. The father, who is terminally ill, is driven by his love and concern for his son, and is determined to protect him at all costs. The story is a haunting exploration of the depths of human resilience, the power of love, and the instinct to survive against all odds.

   The 290th Greatest Book of All Time

3. 3. All the Pretty Horses

   

   This novel follows the journey of a young Texas cowboy who, after his grandfather's death, ventures into Mexico with his best friend in search of a life of freedom and adventure. Their journey becomes complicated when they are arrested and imprisoned, and the protagonist falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner. The book explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and the harsh realities of life.

   The 693rd Greatest Book of All Time

4. 4. Suttree

   

   Set in 1950s Knoxville, Tennessee, the novel follows the life of a man who has renounced his former existence of privilege to live among society's outcasts on the river. He is an educated man, who has chosen a life of fishing and surviving on the fringes of society. The narrative is filled with his encounters with various characters from the underbelly of the city, including criminals, prostitutes, and other outcasts. Despite his attempts to isolate himself, he finds himself drawn into the problems and tragedies of those around him.

   The 1198th Greatest Book of All Time
5. 5. No Country for Old Men

   

   This novel is a gripping tale of a cat-and-mouse chase set in the harsh landscape of 1980 Texas. After stumbling upon a drug deal gone wrong and a suitcase full of money, a Vietnam War veteran finds himself pursued by a relentless hitman. As the veteran attempts to keep himself and his wife safe, a local sheriff struggles to keep up with the increasing violence and brutality of the modern world. The narrative explores themes of fate, conscience, and circumstance, painting a bleak and riveting picture of the human condition.

   The 2427th Greatest Book of All Time

6. 6. Outer Dark

   

   The novel follows the harrowing journey of a woman named Rinthy and her brother Culla in a bleak, rural landscape. After Rinthy gives birth to her brother's child, Culla abandons the baby in the woods, leading Rinthy to embark on a desperate search to find her child. As she traverses the unforgiving terrain, Culla also wanders aimlessly, haunted by guilt and pursued by a trio of sinister men. The narrative explores themes of isolation, guilt, and the relentless pursuit of redemption amidst the stark and unforgiving backdrop of an unnamed Southern landscape.

   The 3975th Greatest Book of All Time

7. 7. The Crossing

   

   "The Crossing" is a novel set in the late 1930s and early 1940s that follows a young man named Billy Parham and his brother Boyd. The story primarily revolves around their adventures in the United States and Mexico, including their encounters with a wolf, horse traders, and a Mexican outlaw. The narrative explores themes of loss, survival, and the harsh realities of life, set against the backdrop of the American West and the Mexican wilderness.

   The 4047th Greatest Book of All Time

8. 8. Cities of the Plain

   

   "Cities of the Plain" is the conclusion to a trilogy set in the post-World War II American West. The story follows two cowboys, John Grady Cole and Billy Parham, who work on a ranch in New Mexico near the Texas border. Cole falls in love with a Mexican prostitute, which leads to a tragic confrontation with her pimp. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the fading of the old West.

   The 5450th Greatest Book of All Time

9. 9. The Passenger

   Stella Maris

   

   The novel follows Bobby Western, a salvage diver haunted by the mysterious circumstances surrounding a sunken jet and its missing passenger. As he delves deeper into the enigma, Bobby grapples with his own troubled past, including the loss of his sister Alicia and the shadow of their father's involvement in the atomic bomb's creation. Set against a backdrop of existential dread and philosophical inquiry, the story explores themes of guilt, identity, and the search for meaning in a world marked by chaos and uncertainty.

   The 11212th Greatest Book of All Time
10. 10. Stella Maris

    

    The novel delves into the complex and introspective journey of Alicia Western, a brilliant mathematician grappling with profound existential questions and mental illness. Set in a psychiatric facility in the 1970s, the narrative unfolds through a series of dialogues between Alicia and her therapist, exploring themes of consciousness, reality, and the nature of human understanding. As Alicia confronts her inner demons and the limits of rational thought, the story reveals her deep connection to her brother and the haunting memories that shape her worldview. Through its philosophical depth and emotional intensity, the book offers a poignant reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning.

    The 11212th Greatest Book of All Time

11. 11. Child Of God

    

    The novel follows the life of a dispossessed, violent man living on the fringes of society in the mountains of Tennessee in the 1960s. After being expelled from his community, the protagonist descends into a primitive state of existence, seeking shelter in caves and gradually surrendering to his most base and animalistic instincts. His isolation and alienation lead him to commit a series of heinous acts, including necrophilia and murder, as he becomes increasingly detached from humanity. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, depravity, and the human capacity for evil, painting a bleak and harrowing portrait of a person utterly cast out from social norms and moral grounding.

    The 13053rd Greatest Book of All Time

12. 12. The Orchard Keeper

    

    Set in rural Tennessee during the interwar period, the story weaves together the lives of three characters: a reclusive orchard keeper, a bootlegger, and a young boy. Their paths intersect through a series of events involving smuggling, violence, and the harsh realities of life in a changing landscape. The narrative explores themes of isolation, the passage of time, and the connection between humans and nature, all underscored by a sense of impending loss and the erosion of traditional ways of life. Through vivid descriptions and a haunting atmosphere, the novel captures the rugged beauty and underlying darkness of the American South.

13. 13. The Kekulé Problem

    A Reflection on the Nature of Consciousness

    

    The book explores the enigmatic nature of human consciousness and the origins of language through a philosophical lens. It delves into the mysterious process of how ideas and images form in the mind, using the story of the chemist August Kekulé's dream-inspired discovery of the benzene ring as a central metaphor. The narrative examines the interplay between the unconscious mind and conscious thought, questioning the limitations of language in capturing the full spectrum of human experience and understanding.

14. 14. The Sunset Limited

    A Novel in Dramatic Form

    

    The book presents a gripping dialogue between two unnamed characters, Black and White, who engage in a philosophical debate about life, faith, and the human condition. Set in a sparse, confined apartment, the narrative unfolds as Black, a devout ex-convict, tries to dissuade White, a disillusioned professor, from his nihilistic worldview and suicide attempt. Through their intense conversation, the story explores themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of belief and the struggle between light and darkness in the human soul.
15. 15. The Gardener's Son

    

    Set in the post-Civil War South, the story revolves around the complex and tense relationship between two families, the McEvoys and the Greggs, in a mill town in South Carolina. The narrative focuses on the life of Robert McEvoy, the gardener's son, who becomes embroiled in a conflict with the powerful Gregg family, particularly with James Gregg, the mill owner's son. As tensions rise, themes of class struggle, revenge, and the impact of industrialization on traditional ways of life are explored, leading to a dramatic and tragic confrontation that underscores the deep-seated social and personal conflicts of the era.

16. 16. The Stonemason

    A Play in Five Acts

    

    The book is a profound exploration of family, tradition, and the struggles of African American life in the American South. It centers on the Mason family, particularly Ben, a stonemason who is dedicated to his craft and the values it represents. As Ben grapples with the challenges of maintaining his family's legacy and confronting societal and personal hardships, the narrative delves into themes of generational conflict, the pursuit of dignity, and the enduring impact of history and heritage. Through its rich dialogue and introspective monologues, the story offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of identity and the human condition.