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 362nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

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 410th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

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 2330th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

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 3193rd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
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 8015th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

6. 6. Cosmopolis

   

   In a single day, a young billionaire asset manager embarks on a surreal journey across Manhattan in his luxurious, high-tech limousine, seeking a haircut. As he navigates through the chaos of the city, he encounters a series of bizarre and unsettling events that unravel his meticulously controlled life. Amidst the backdrop of a crumbling economy and societal unrest, he confronts existential questions about wealth, power, and the human condition, leading to a profound and transformative reckoning with his own identity and mortality.

   The 9092nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

7. 7. 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 10119th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

8. 8. End Zone

   

   Set against the backdrop of a small Texas college, this novel explores the intertwining lives of a group of football players, focusing on their existential struggles and the absurdities of modern life. The protagonist, a running back with a penchant for philosophical musings, grapples with the pressures of the sport and the looming threat of nuclear annihilation. Through a blend of dark humor and introspective dialogue, the narrative delves into themes of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in a world overshadowed by the specter of destruction.

   The 14885th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

9. 9. 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.

   The 15764th Greatest Book of All Time
10. 10. Ratner's Star

    

    A surreal, experimental novel that follows a young mathematical prodigy recruited by a secret scientific project to decode an enigmatic signal from the stars; through fragmented, playful prose it satirizes Cold War science and institutional bureaucracy while probing language, mathematics, meaning, and existential dread as the team’s obsessive quest edges into apocalypse and metafictional reflection.

    The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

11. 11. 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.

12. 12. The Body Artist

    

    The novel explores the themes of grief, time, and identity through the story of a woman named Lauren, who is a performance artist dealing with the sudden loss of her husband. As she isolates herself in a remote house, she encounters a mysterious, almost otherworldly man who seems to exist outside of conventional time and space. This enigmatic presence forces Lauren to confront her own perceptions of reality and self, leading her on a journey of introspection and transformation. The narrative delves into the fluidity of time and the complexities of human consciousness, offering a meditative reflection on the nature of existence and the process of healing.

13. 13. Great Jones Street

    

    The novel follows Bucky Wunderlick, a rock star who retreats from the chaos of fame to a sparse apartment on Great Jones Street in New York City. As he isolates himself from the world, Bucky grapples with the pressures of celebrity, the commodification of art, and the existential search for authenticity. His withdrawal triggers a series of bizarre events involving enigmatic characters, mysterious packages, and a cult-like following, all of which blur the lines between reality and illusion. Through Bucky's introspective journey, the narrative explores themes of identity, communication, and the pervasive influence of media in modern society.

14. 14. The Names

    

    The novel explores themes of language, identity, and cultural dislocation through the experiences of James Axton, a risk analyst who becomes entangled in a mysterious cult while living in Greece. As he navigates his personal and professional life, James grapples with the complexities of communication and the impact of global politics on individual lives. The narrative delves into the intersections of personal and geopolitical conflicts, examining how names and language shape human understanding and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
15. 15. Valparaiso

    

    The book is a play that explores themes of media saturation and identity through the story of Michael Majeski, an ordinary man who becomes an unexpected media sensation after a mundane business trip to Valparaiso, Indiana, turns into a bizarre journey to Valparaiso, Chile. As Michael navigates a series of surreal and intrusive interviews, the play delves into the absurdity of modern media culture and the ways in which personal narratives are manipulated and consumed. Through sharp dialogue and satirical elements, it examines the impact of public scrutiny on individual identity and the blurring lines between reality and spectacle.

16. 16. The Silence

    

    In this novel, a small group of people in New York City grapples with the sudden and unexplained collapse of all digital technology, which plunges the world into silence and chaos. As they gather in an apartment to watch the Super Bowl, the screens go dark, and they are forced to confront their own vulnerabilities and the fragility of modern society. The narrative explores themes of disconnection, the pervasive influence of technology, and the search for meaning in an uncertain world, as the characters navigate their altered reality and reflect on the nature of human connection.

17. 17. Zero K

    

    In a world where technology and mortality intersect, a man grapples with the ethical and emotional complexities of cryogenics as he accompanies his father to a remote facility that promises to preserve life beyond death. As the protagonist navigates the sterile corridors of this futuristic compound, he confronts profound questions about existence, identity, and the human desire to transcend the limitations of the body. The narrative unfolds in a meditative exploration of life, loss, and the relentless pursuit of immortality, challenging the boundaries between life and death.

18. 18. Videotape

    

    In this gripping narrative, a seemingly innocuous home video becomes the catalyst for a chilling exploration of voyeurism, media consumption, and the human psyche. The story unfolds through the eyes of a young girl who inadvertently captures a shocking event on tape, setting off a chain reaction that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the pervasive influence of technology. As the footage circulates, it raises unsettling questions about the boundaries between reality and spectacle, and the moral implications of witnessing violence from a distance.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

19. 19. The Angel Esmeralda

    Nine Stories

    

    A collection of nine short stories, this work delves into the complexities of human experience, exploring themes of isolation, connection, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. Each story is a poignant snapshot of contemporary life, capturing moments of profound insight and emotional depth. The narratives traverse diverse settings, from urban landscapes to remote locales, and feature characters grappling with existential dilemmas, societal changes, and the haunting presence of the past. Through a masterful blend of realism and surrealism, the stories invite readers to reflect on the intricacies of modern existence and the enduring quest for understanding and redemption.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org
20. 20. Pafko At The Wall

    

    Set against the backdrop of a historic baseball game in 1951, this novella captures the essence of post-war America through the lens of a single, iconic moment. As the game unfolds, the narrative weaves together the lives of various characters, from a young boy witnessing the event to a journalist covering the game, each representing different facets of society. The story explores themes of nostalgia, the intersection of personal and public history, and the fleeting nature of fame, all while encapsulating the cultural and emotional landscape of the era.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

21. 21. Vitt Brus

    

    Purchase from Bookshop.org