Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson is a British writer known for her novels, which explore themes of gender, sexuality, and identity. She gained prominence with her first novel, 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,' which won the Whitbread Award for a First Novel in 1985.

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 Passion

    "The Passion" is a historical novel set during the Napoleonic Wars and told from the perspectives of two unique characters: a French soldier who serves in Napoleon’s army and a Venetian woman with webbed feet who works as a casino worker. The narrative explores themes of love, passion, identity, and fate as the two characters' lives intertwine in unexpected ways. The book is renowned for its magical realism and lyrical prose, offering a poetic exploration of human desire and the nature of love.

    The 1104th Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. Oranges are not the only Fruit

    This novel follows the coming-of-age story of a young girl adopted by a religious fanatic, who believes her daughter is destined to become a missionary. As the protagonist grows up, she begins to question her mother's strict religious beliefs and discovers her own sexuality. The book explores themes of identity, love, and religion, as the protagonist grapples with her place in the world and her evolving understanding of herself.

    The 1461st Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. Sexing the Cherry

    This historical fiction novel is set in 17th century England and revolves around a giantess named Dog-Woman and her adopted son Jordan. The narrative explores themes of time, love, and sexuality through a surreal lens, blending historical events with fantasy elements. The book delves into the lives of real and imagined characters, including the 12 dancing princesses from the fairy tale, who share their individual stories, offering a unique perspective on gender, identity, and the nature of love.

    The 2303rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  4. 4. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

    This book is a deeply personal memoir about a woman's quest for identity and happiness amidst a turbulent childhood. Raised by an abusive and religiously fanatic adoptive mother in a small, industrial town in Northern England, the author struggles with her sexuality, eventually being thrown out of her home for having a relationship with another woman. She later embarks on a journey to find her biological mother, all while wrestling with her own mental health issues and trying to make sense of her place in the world. The narrative is a raw exploration of love, loss, and the power of literature as a means of escape and self-discovery.

    The 2593rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  5. 5. Written on the Body

    "Written on the Body" is a passionate love story that explores the protagonist's relationships with both men and women. The protagonist, whose gender is never revealed, falls deeply in love with a married woman, Louise, who is diagnosed with leukemia. The protagonist then faces a difficult decision: to let Louise stay with her husband who can afford her medical treatment, or to continue their affair and let Louise die. The book delves into themes of love, loss, and the complexity of human relationships.

    The 3841st Greatest Book of All Time
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  6. 6. The PowerBook

    "The PowerBook" is a unique blend of reality and virtual reality, exploring the themes of love, identity, and storytelling. The narrative follows an e-writer who writes stories for people on demand, and one of her clients, a woman who wants to escape her relationship and start anew. The book is filled with stories within stories, all of them interconnected, taking readers on a journey through Paris, Capri, and the Internet, while challenging the traditional notions of time, gender roles, and the boundaries between the real and the imagined.

    The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time
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  7. 7. Christmas Days

    12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days

    This enchanting collection of twelve stories and twelve festive recipes captures the magic and warmth of the holiday season. Each tale is imbued with a sense of wonder, exploring themes of love, redemption, and the spirit of giving, while seamlessly weaving in elements of folklore, fantasy, and personal reflection. The accompanying recipes, ranging from traditional holiday fare to unique culinary delights, invite readers to savor the flavors of Christmas and create their own cherished memories. With its blend of storytelling and gastronomy, this book offers a heartwarming celebration of the season's joys and traditions.

    The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time
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  8. 8. The Gap Of Time

    The Winter's Tale Retold

    Set against the backdrop of a post-financial crash London and a storm-ravaged New Orleans, this contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" explores themes of love, jealousy, and redemption. The narrative weaves together the lives of a wealthy businessman consumed by irrational jealousy, his wronged wife, and their abandoned daughter, who is raised by a kind-hearted musician. As the characters' paths converge over time, they grapple with the consequences of past actions, ultimately finding forgiveness and reconciliation in a world where time itself seems to heal old wounds.

  9. 9. Gut Symmetries

    In this intricate narrative, the lives of three individuals become entwined through a complex web of love, betrayal, and cosmic exploration. Set against the backdrop of the vastness of space and the intimate confines of human relationships, the story delves into the philosophical and scientific musings on the nature of existence, time, and the universe. As the characters navigate their intertwined destinies, they grapple with the profound questions of identity, connection, and the symmetries that bind them together, both in the physical world and beyond.

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  10. 10. The Stone Gods

    Set in a dystopian future, this novel explores the cyclical nature of human history and the consequences of technological advancement. It follows the intertwined stories of Billie Crusoe and a sentient robot named Spike as they navigate a world on the brink of ecological collapse. Through their journey across different timelines and planets, the narrative delves into themes of love, identity, and the relentless human pursuit of progress, questioning whether humanity can ever truly change its destructive ways.

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  11. 11. 12 Bytes

    How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next.

    This thought-provoking collection of essays delves into the intersection of technology, humanity, and the future, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world. Through a blend of wit, insight, and a deep understanding of history and culture, the author examines the ethical, social, and philosophical implications of AI, while pondering its potential to redefine human identity and relationships. Each essay serves as a byte-sized exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, encouraging readers to reflect on the evolving landscape of human existence in the digital age.

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  12. 12. The Daylight Gate

    A Tale of the Pendle Witches

    Set against the backdrop of the infamous Pendle witch trials in 1612, this gripping historical novel weaves a tale of intrigue, power, and dark magic. The narrative follows Alice Nutter, a wealthy and independent woman, as she becomes entangled in the dangerous web of accusations and paranoia that grips the Lancashire countryside. As the line between superstition and reality blurs, Alice must navigate a treacherous world where loyalty is tested, secrets are unearthed, and the stakes are life and death. With vivid imagery and a haunting atmosphere, the story explores themes of justice, gender, and the relentless pursuit of truth in a time of fear and suspicion.

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  13. 13. Lighthousekeeping

    In a tale that weaves together the past and present, a young orphan named Silver finds solace and purpose in the remote Scottish lighthouse where she is taken in by the enigmatic and kind-hearted Mr. Pew. As the keeper of the lighthouse, Mr. Pew shares captivating stories of love, loss, and adventure, particularly focusing on the life of the mysterious 19th-century clergyman Babel Dark. Through these narratives, Silver discovers the power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of the human heart, ultimately learning to navigate her own journey of self-discovery and belonging.

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  14. 14. Art And Lies

    Set in a surreal and fragmented world, this narrative weaves together the lives of three distinct characters: a surgeon, a painter, and a poet. As they journey through a dreamlike landscape, their stories intersect and unravel, exploring themes of identity, creativity, and the nature of truth. The prose is rich and lyrical, challenging conventional storytelling with its abstract and philosophical musings. Through their experiences, the characters confront the boundaries between art and reality, ultimately seeking meaning in a world that defies easy understanding.

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  15. 15. Weight

    The Myth of Atlas and Heracles

    In this imaginative retelling of the myth of Atlas and Heracles, the narrative explores themes of burden, freedom, and the human condition. The story delves into the psyche of Atlas, who is condemned to hold up the heavens for eternity, and Heracles, who seeks to relieve him of his burden temporarily. Through their interactions, the tale examines the weight of responsibility and the desire for liberation, blending elements of ancient mythology with contemporary reflections on identity, choice, and the nature of existence.

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  16. 16. Art Objects

    A lively, personal collection of essays that blends art criticism, memoir, and cultural reflection to show how paintings, objects, and stories shape desire, perception, and identity; the voice is passionate and irreverent, arguing that art is an ecstatic, transformative force that connects the personal and the universal.

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  17. 18. Frankissstein

    A Love Story

    A witty, genre-bending novel that intertwines the life of the woman who created Frankenstein with a contemporary tale about a trans doctor and a charismatic tech entrepreneur racing to create sentient AI; part science fiction, part love story and philosophical satire, it probes identity, gender, desire, embodiment and the ethical costs of technological hubris while questioning what language and machine consciousness mean for being human.

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