The Recognitions by William Gaddis
The novel is a complex and lengthy examination of authenticity and forgery. It tells the story of a young man who becomes a master forger of Old Masters paintings, while exploring themes of identity, religion, and art. As the plot unfolds, the protagonist grapples with his own authenticity in a world obsessed with appearances and material success. The narrative is interspersed with philosophical and religious discussions, making it a challenging yet thought-provoking read.
The 712th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1955
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 900-956
- Words
- 305,000
- Original Language
- English
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 11 lists:
- 24th on TrueLit's Top 100 Favorite Books (2023) (/r/TrueLit)
- 27th on 20th Century's Greatest Hits: 100 English-Language Books of Fiction (Larry McCaffery)
- 865th on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (1,000 Books to Read Before You Die(Book))
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- One Hundred Best American Novels, 1770 to 1985 (The American Scholar)
- The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels in English Since 1950 (The Modern Library (Book))
- TIME Magazine All Time 100 Novels (TIME Magazine)
- William Gass’ Fifty Literary Pillars (A Temple of Texts: Essays (Book))