The 100 Novels You Must Read in Your Lifetime

This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.

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  • Compass by Mathias Enard

    Cover of 'Compass' by Mathias Enard

    The novel delves into the introspective journey of Franz Ritter, an ailing musicologist in Vienna, as he reflects on his past travels and intellectual pursuits in the Middle East. Through a series of fragmented memories and scholarly musings, he explores themes of cultural exchange, historical interconnectedness, and the profound impact of Orientalism on Western thought. The narrative oscillates between personal anecdotes and broader philosophical reflections, painting a rich tapestry of cross-cultural encounters and the enduring quest for understanding and connection.

    The 7563rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  • The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

    Cover of 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead

    This novel follows the journey of Cora, a young slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia, who escapes and embarks on a journey towards freedom via the Underground Railroad. The book presents a literal version of the historical Underground Railroad, portraying it as a physical network of tunnels and tracks beneath the Southern soil. As Cora travels from state to state, she encounters different worlds and harsh realities, each one illuminating the various forms of oppression Black people faced in America. The narrative is a brutal exploration of America's history of slavery and racism, and a testament to the unyielding spirit of those who fought against it.

    The 770th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

    The Broken Earth
    Cover of 'The Fifth Season' by N. K. Jemisin

    A woman searches for her kidnapped daughter in a world ravaged by a catastrophic climate change event known as the Fifth Season. Simultaneously, the narrative follows a young girl with destructive powers and a man struggling to control his own similar abilities. The story explores themes of oppression, survival, and the destructive power of nature, all set in a dystopian world where the earth is constantly in flux, and society is strictly divided and controlled.

    The 1117th Greatest Book of All Time
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About this list

Esquire, 103 Books

This list focuses on what are deemed "classic" novels that one must read in a lifetime, as defined by Italo Calvino: a classic always has something to say. This collection strictly includes novels—excluding essays, biographies, short stories, and autofiction, which, despite being popular today, are not considered for this compilation. Emphasizing "modern classics," the criteria restrict entries to the best books from the last 100 years, thus excluding older foundational texts commonly studied in schools like those by Cervantes or Dickens. The list features a mix of Nobel and Strega prize winners among others, spanning a diverse range from Italian literature to global works without discrimination by genre. Acknowledging the subjective nature of such compilations, the curator invites debate and views the list not as an exhaustive decree but as a personal selection open for discussion, highlighting the playful and proposal-driven nature of this endeavor.

This list was originally published in 2023 and was added to this site almost 2 years ago.

How Good is this List?

This list has a weight of 10%. To learn more about what this means please visit the Rankings page.

Here is a list of what is decreasing the importance of this list:

  • Voters: Voter Count
  • List: only covers 100 years

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List Information

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Voter Count Unknown:
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High Quality Source:
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Location Specific:
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Category Specific:
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