Walker Percy

Walker Percy was an American author known for his philosophical novels set in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. His works often explore themes of existentialism and the human condition.

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 Moviegoer

    The protagonist, a young stockbroker in New Orleans, is alienated, detached, and finds more reality in movies and books than in his everyday life. He searches for meaning in life, often through his relationships with his aunt and his cousin, while also dealing with existential dread and the impending reality of turning 30. This exploration of alienation and search for identity in the modern world won the National Book Award for Fiction.

    The 182nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. The Last Gentleman

    "The Last Gentleman" is a novel about a disoriented and confused man from the South who suffers from a "nervous condition" that causes him to forget who he is. When he meets a young man dying from a brain tumor, he decides to leave his home in New York and travel with the man and his family back to the South. Throughout his journey, he attempts to discover his own identity and grapples with existential questions about life, love, and death.

    The 1251st Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. Lost in the Cosmos

    The Last Self-Help Book

    The book is a satirical self-help guide that explores the human condition and our place in the universe through a series of thought experiments, quizzes, and essays. It delves into topics such as existentialism, semiotics, philosophy, science, and religion, all with a humorous twist. The book challenges readers to examine their lives, their beliefs, and their perceptions of reality, ultimately suggesting that we are all a little lost in the cosmos.

    The 3250th Greatest Book of All Time
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  4. 4. The Message In the Bottle

    How Queer Man Is, How Queer Language Is, and What One Has to Do with the Other

    "The Message in the Bottle" is a collection of essays that explores the complex interplay between language, culture, and individual identity. The author delves into the philosophical and existential questions about human existence, examining how language shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. The book also explores the concept of the "message in the bottle," a metaphor for the human quest for meaning amid the randomness and chaos of life. The author argues that humans are "lost in the cosmos" and must navigate their way through a world filled with confusing messages and signals.

    The 5747th Greatest Book of All Time
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  5. 5. Lancelot

    In this thought-provoking novel, a Southern lawyer named Lancelot Lamar embarks on a journey of self-discovery and moral questioning after uncovering his wife's infidelity. As he recounts his story from a mental institution, Lancelot grapples with themes of betrayal, identity, and the decay of modern society. Through his introspective narrative, he challenges the boundaries of sanity and morality, ultimately seeking a purer, more authentic existence amidst the chaos of his unraveling world.

    The 17117th Greatest Book of All Time
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