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. Tartuffe

   The Impostor

   

   This classic French play revolves around the character Tartuffe, a hypocritical and cunning man who pretends to be deeply pious and religious. He manages to deceive Orgon, a wealthy family patriarch, into believing in his piety. Orgon is so taken in by Tartuffe that he decides to marry him off to his daughter, despite her love for another man. The family works together to expose Tartuffe's true nature, leading to a series of comic and dramatic events. The play is a satirical critique of religious hypocrisy and gullibility.

   The 983rd Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Works of Moliere

   

   This book is a compilation of the works of a renowned 17th-century French playwright, who is often considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His plays are known for their satirical examination of social norms and human folly, featuring a range of characters from the foolish and the pedantic to the hypocritical and the corrupt. Some of his most famous works included in this collection are "Tartuffe," "The Misanthrope," and "The Imaginary Invalid."

   The 1296th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. The Imaginary Invalid

   or The Hypochondriac

   

   The play is a satirical comedy that centers around Argan, a hypochondriac who obsesses over his health and squanders his fortune on unnecessary medical treatments. His ailment is exploited by charlatan doctors and a greedy wife, while his daughter's marital future hangs in the balance due to his misguided intentions. The story unfolds with a clever servant, Toinette, and Argan's brother, Béralde, attempting to open his eyes to the truth of his condition and the deceit around him. Through a series of humorous events, including a mock ceremony, the play critiques the medical profession and the foolishness of those who blindly follow it, ultimately advocating for common sense and true familial love.

   The 1590th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The Misanthrope

   

   "The Misanthrope" is a satirical play that explores the hypocrisy and corruption of French aristocratic society through the eyes of the protagonist, a man who insists on absolute honesty and despises flattery, insincerity, and social conventions. Despite his disdain for society, he falls in love with a coquette who embodies everything he detests, leading to a series of comedic and dramatic situations. The narrative ultimately emphasizes the importance of balance between truth and courtesy in social interactions.

   The 2047th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Don Juan

   The Feast with the Statue

   

   This comedic play explores the life of a libertine nobleman who is infamous for his seduction of women. The protagonist is a man who lives by his own rules, unburdened by morality or religion, and who takes pleasure in manipulating others for his own gain. His actions eventually lead to his downfall when he refuses to repent for his sins, resulting in a dramatic, supernatural punishment.

   The 2144th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. The Would-Be Gentleman

   The Bourgeois Gentleman

   

   This comedic play revolves around a middle-class man who aspires to elevate his social status and become a gentleman. He hires teachers to educate him in the arts, language, and manners of the upper class, but his lack of understanding and pretentious behavior only makes him look foolish. His obsession with his newly acquired 'gentleman' status strains his relationship with his sensible wife and daughter, and leads to a series of humorous and satirical incidents that mock the pretensions and hypocrisy of the society.

   The 3581st Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. The Miser

   L'Avare

   

   "The Miser" is a comedic play that revolves around a wealthy man who is so obsessed with his money that he neglects his own children. His son and daughter, both in love with people they cannot afford to marry due to their father's stinginess, scheme to trick him out of his wealth. The play satirizes the greed and hypocrisy of the upper class, while exploring themes of love, deception, and the value of money.

   The 3801st Greatest Book of All Time

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8. 8. The School for Wives

   

   "The School for Wives" is a comedic play about a man who attempts to groom a young woman to be his perfect, obedient wife. However, his plans are thwarted when the young woman falls in love with another man. The play satirizes societal norms around marriage, highlighting the absurdity of controlling relationships and the importance of love and mutual respect.

   The 5851st Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. The Learned Ladies

   

   The play is a satirical comedy that delves into the pretensions and affectations of intellectualism and pedantry among the bourgeois class. It centers around the conflict within a family over the value of genuine learning and the superficial appearance of being cultured. The plot revolves around two young lovers whose marriage is opposed by the mother, who is under the influence of a pseudo-intellectual poet. The mother wishes her daughter to marry this pedantic man instead, valuing his ostentatious display of knowledge over genuine wisdom and love. The play mocks the absurdities of academic snobbery and the misplaced priorities of those who value the appearance of intelligence over true understanding and happiness.

   The 7201st Greatest Book of All Time

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10. 10. School For Husbands

    

    "School for Husbands" is a comedic play that delves into the themes of love, marriage, and the contrasting approaches to spousal control. The narrative centers around two brothers with opposing views on how to treat their respective wards, whom they intend to marry. The older brother advocates for strictness and authority, keeping a tight rein on his young ward, while the younger brother espouses freedom and trust in his own. As the story unfolds, the characters engage in a series of humorous and revealing situations that challenge their beliefs about relationships and ultimately lead to a conclusion that favors liberality over rigidity, suggesting that love cannot be forced or controlled, but rather should be nurtured with understanding and freedom.

    The 7201st Greatest Book of All Time

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11. 11. The Precious Ridiculous

    The Learned Ladies

    

    The play is a comedic satire that explores the absurdities of social pretensions and the folly of valuing appearances over substance. It follows two young women who are obsessed with the latest fashions and societal trends, leading them to reject sincere suitors in favor of more flamboyant, but ultimately insincere, admirers. Through a series of humorous misunderstandings and exaggerated characters, the narrative critiques the superficiality and pretentiousness of the upper class, ultimately advocating for authenticity and genuine human connection.

    The 7201st Greatest Book of All Time

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12. 12. The Misanthrope / Tartuffe

    

    The book combines two of Molière's classic plays, exploring themes of hypocrisy, social pretension, and human folly. In "The Misanthrope," the protagonist, Alceste, struggles with his disdain for societal norms and the duplicity he perceives in those around him, leading to personal and romantic conflicts. "Tartuffe" centers on the character Tartuffe, a cunning impostor who ingratiates himself into the household of the gullible Orgon, exploiting his piety for personal gain. Both plays use sharp wit and comedic elements to critique the moral and social issues of Molière's time, highlighting the tension between genuine virtue and superficial appearances.

    The 16597th Greatest Book of All Time

13. 13. Four Comedies

    

    This collection brings together four of the most celebrated comedic plays from the 17th century, each showcasing the wit, humor, and keen social commentary of its playwright. Through a series of farcical situations, mistaken identities, and clever dialogues, the plays explore themes of love, deception, and the follies of human nature. The characters, ranging from cunning servants to pompous aristocrats, navigate a world where appearances often deceive, and true intentions are humorously revealed. With a sharp eye for societal norms and human behavior, these comedies continue to entertain and provoke thought, offering timeless insights into the complexities of life and relationships.

    The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

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