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. White Noise

   

   The novel is a postmodern exploration of death and consumerism in the United States. It follows a year in the life of Jack Gladney, a professor who has made his name by pioneering the field of Hitler Studies at a small liberal arts college in Middle America. Jack and his fourth wife, Babette, are afraid of death and are obsessed with finding a cure for their fear. Their lives are disrupted by an airborne toxic event, which forces them to confront their mortality and the toxic effects of modern life.

   The 390th Greatest Book of All Time

2. 2. Underworld

   

   "Underworld" is a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1950s to the end of the 20th century, exploring the interconnectedness of events and the impact of the Cold War on American society. The story revolves around a diverse group of characters, including a waste management executive, a graffiti artist, a nun, and a baseball collector, among others. These characters' lives intertwine in unexpected ways, illustrating the complex web of relationships and influences that shape our world. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of historical events and its profound examination of themes such as memory, technology, and waste.

   The 586th Greatest Book of All Time

3. 3. Libra

   

   This novel is a fictionalized account of the life of Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy. It explores Oswald's troubled childhood, his time in the Soviet Union, his return to America, and his involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate the president. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Oswald himself, his mother, and various fictional characters, creating a complex and nuanced portrait of a man who has become a symbol of one of the most traumatic events in American history.

   The 2954th Greatest Book of All Time

4. 4. Mao II

   

   "Mao II" is a novel that explores the life of a reclusive novelist who hasn't been seen in public for many years. The protagonist is drawn out of his seclusion when he becomes involved in an international crisis involving a hostage situation in Beirut. The book delves into themes of terrorism, mass culture, and the power of the written word, while examining the relationship between the individual artist and the collective society.

   The 3163rd Greatest Book of All Time
5. 5. Falling Man

   

   The novel explores the aftermath of the September 11 attacks through the lives of several interconnected characters, focusing on their emotional and psychological struggles. The narrative delves into themes of trauma, memory, and the search for meaning in a changed world. As the characters navigate their altered realities, the story examines the impact of the tragedy on their relationships and sense of identity, capturing the pervasive sense of dislocation and the quest for normalcy in the face of profound disruption.

   The 6464th Greatest Book of All Time

6. 6. Running Dog

   

   The novel is a fast-paced political thriller set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, revolving around the search for a possibly mythical pornographic film that may have been shot in Hitler's bunker. As various parties—including a journalist, a government operative, and a group of radicals—vie for possession of the film, the narrative delves into the seedy underbelly of late 1970s New York. The story explores themes of power, obsession, and the commodification of history, all while providing a critique of American culture and the pervasive influence of the media. The characters' intersecting quests lead to a dark and violent confrontation, reflecting the paranoia and disillusionment of the era.

   The 10543rd Greatest Book of All Time

7. 7. Η σιωπή

   

   The novel explores a dystopian future where a mysterious global event causes all digital and electronic systems to fail, plunging the world into silence and chaos. Set primarily in a New York City apartment, the story follows a group of characters grappling with the sudden loss of technology and the ensuing uncertainty. As they confront their fears and vulnerabilities, the narrative delves into themes of human connection, the fragility of modern civilization, and the search for meaning in a world stripped of its technological comforts. Through introspective dialogue and existential reflections, the characters navigate their altered reality, questioning the essence of communication and existence itself.

8. 8. Americana

   

   The novel explores the life of David Bell, a successful television executive who becomes disillusioned with his superficial existence in the corporate world. Seeking authenticity and meaning, he embarks on a cross-country journey, delving into the American landscape and his own past. Through encounters with various characters and introspective reflections, the narrative examines themes of identity, media influence, and the search for genuine human connection in a society dominated by consumerism and artificiality. The story is a poignant exploration of the complexities of modern life and the quest for personal fulfillment.

9. 9. Point Omega

   

   The novel explores themes of time, consciousness, and the human condition through the interactions of a reclusive war advisor and a filmmaker in a remote desert setting. As they discuss a documentary project about the Iraq War, the narrative delves into their philosophical musings and personal introspections. The story is interwoven with a mysterious subplot involving the disappearance of the advisor's daughter, which adds an element of suspense and introspection on the nature of existence and perception. The sparse, reflective prose invites readers to contemplate the complexities of modern life and the passage of time.