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. Vanity Fair

   A Novel without a Hero

   

   This classic novel follows the lives of two contrasting women, the cunning and ruthless Becky Sharp and the sweet and naive Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society during the Napoleonic Wars. The book is a satirical exploration of the obsession with wealth, status, and social climbing, and the moral bankruptcy that can result from such pursuits. The narrative weaves an intricate tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, exposing the vanity and hypocrisy of high society.

   The 105th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The History Of Henry Esmond

   A Colonel in the Service of Her Majesty Queen Anne

   

   The novel is a historical fiction set in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, chronicling the life of its protagonist, an officer in the English army. Born to uncertain parentage, he is raised by a noble family and develops a deep affection for his benefactors' daughter. The narrative follows his experiences in the military, his travels abroad, and his involvement in the political and religious conflicts of the era, including the Jacobite Rebellion. Throughout his life, he grapples with questions of honor, love, and identity, against the backdrop of the shifting fortunes of the British monarchy and the complexities of the society in which he lives.

   The 978th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Memoirs Of Barry Lyndon

   Esq. of the Kingdom of Ireland

   

   The novel is a satirical account of a young Irishman's opportunistic rise to wealth and status, and his eventual fall from grace. The protagonist, born into modest circumstances, uses his wit, charm, and unscrupulous behavior to mingle with European nobility and climb the social ladder. Throughout his adventures, he engages in duels, gambling, and romances, while his fortunes ebb and flow. His narrative, filled with irony and dark humor, exposes the hypocrisies and corruptions of 18th-century aristocratic society, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and reflective decline, as he pens his memoirs.

   The 3021st Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The History Of Pendennis

   His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest Enemy

   

   The novel follows the life and adventures of Arthur Pendennis, a young man from the countryside who ventures into the world to seek his fortune and find his place in society. Starting as a naive and idealistic youth, Pendennis faces various trials and tribulations in love, friendship, and his career, which lead him to maturity and a deeper understanding of himself and those around him. Through his journey, the book explores themes of social class, vanity, and the contrast between appearance and reality, all set against a backdrop of 19th-century British society.

   The 7985th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. The Newcomes

   Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family

   

   The novel is a satirical study of British society in the mid-19th century, focusing on the fortunes and misfortunes of a respectable, though not wealthy, family. The narrative, presented as a biography of the family by a friend, traces the life of the protagonist, from his early years in India, through his education in England, to his attempts to find love and establish himself in society. Throughout the story, the family's experiences reveal the hypocrisies and vanities of the upper classes, with the central theme being the contrast between genuine emotion and social propriety. The work is notable for its rich characterizations and its exploration of themes such as colonialism, the role of women, and the rigid class system of the time.

   The 9587th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. The Rose And The Ring

   A Fireside Pantomime for Great and Small Children

   

   The story is a satirical fairy tale set in the fictional kingdoms of Paflagonia and Crim Tartary, where a series of comedic and whimsical events unfold around a magical ring and a rose that bestow beauty and charm on their possessors. The narrative follows the misadventures of various royal characters, including the vain and foolish Prince Giglio and the kind-hearted Princess Rosalba, as they navigate love, jealousy, and mistaken identities. Through a blend of humor and irony, the tale explores themes of vanity, power, and the folly of human nature, ultimately leading to a resolution where true love and virtue triumph over superficiality and deceit.

7. 7. The Yellowplush Papers

   

   Set in the bustling world of 19th-century England, this collection of satirical stories offers a humorous glimpse into the lives of the upper class through the eyes of a witty and observant footman. The narrative unfolds through a series of letters penned by the protagonist, who provides a candid and often comical commentary on the eccentricities and follies of his employers and their social circles. With sharp wit and keen insight, the tales explore themes of class, ambition, and the absurdities of high society, all while showcasing the narrator's unique perspective and clever use of language.

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