The Greatest Books of All Time on Control

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 743 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Follow on:

What should I read next?

Get personalized book recommendations based on your reading history and preferences. Our algorithm analyzes your favorite books and reading patterns to suggest your next great read.

Get Recommendations

Genres

Control

The "Control" category in literature encompasses books that delve into themes of power, manipulation, and dominance, whether on a personal, societal, or technological level. These narratives often explore the dynamics between those who wield control and those who are subjected to it, examining the psychological, ethical, and emotional ramifications. Stories within this genre might include dystopian societies where authoritarian regimes impose strict regulations, psychological thrillers featuring characters who manipulate others for personal gain, or speculative fiction where advanced technologies govern human behavior. The "Control" genre invites readers to question the balance of power in various contexts and consider the consequences of its abuse or loss.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Date Range

Filter books by their publication year. Enter the earliest year (Start) and latest year (End) to find books published within that period. Leave either field empty to search from the beginning of time or up to the present day.

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download
View: List Grid Table
Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
  1. 1. Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell

    Set in a dystopian future, the novel presents a society under the total control of a totalitarian regime, led by the omnipresent Big Brother. The protagonist, a low-ranking member of 'the Party', begins to question the regime and falls in love with a woman, an act of rebellion in a world where independent thought, dissent, and love are prohibited. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth.

    The 6th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  2. 2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

    Set in a dystopian future, the novel explores a society where human beings are genetically bred and pharmaceutically conditioned to serve in a ruling order. The society is divided into five castes, each with its specific roles. The narrative follows a savage who rejects the norms of this new world order and struggles to navigate the clash between the values of his upbringing and the reality of this technologically advanced, emotionless society. His resistance prompts a deep examination of the nature of freedom, individuality, and happiness.

    The 51st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  3. 3. The Castle by Franz Kafka

    This novel presents the story of a man who arrives in a village and struggles to gain access to the mysterious authorities who govern it from a castle. The protagonist, a surveyor, faces the constant frustration of his efforts to make contact with the elusive authorities and integrate into village society. The book explores themes of alienation, bureaucracy, the seemingly endless frustrations of man's attempts to stand against the system, and the futile pursuit of an unobtainable goal.

    The 81st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  4. 4. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

    This novel follows the life of a violent young man named Alex, who is part of a youth subculture in a dystopian future England. Alex and his gang engage in a nightmarish spree of rape, assault, and robbery, until he is arrested and subjected to a psychological experiment by the government to "cure" him of his violent tendencies. The novel explores themes of free will, morality, and the nature of evil, while using a unique slang language invented by the author.

    The 154th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  5. 5. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

    A controversial novel that explores the dark depths of drug addiction and societal decay, following the protagonist, a junkie, as he navigates through a series of surreal and grotesque scenarios. The narrative is nonlinear and disjointed, reflecting the protagonist's fragmented consciousness and the chaotic nature of addiction. The book is known for its graphic depictions of sex, violence, and drug use, and it challenges traditional notions of morality and narrative structure.

    The 257th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  6. 6. The Magus by John Fowles

    The novel is a psychological drama that follows a young Englishman, Nicholas Urfe, who takes a teaching post on a remote Greek island to escape his dull life and a failed relationship. There, he meets a wealthy, mysterious man who introduces him to psychological games that blend myth, reality, and illusion. As Nicholas falls deeper into these manipulative scenarios, he begins to question his own sanity and reality. The story is filled with existential themes, exploring the nature of personal freedom, love, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy.

    The 448th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  7. 7. The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek

    "The Piano Teacher" is a dark exploration of power dynamics, sexuality, and repression. The story revolves around a piano teacher at a prestigious music school in Vienna who lives with her overbearing mother in a state of emotional and sexual repression. Her life takes a turn when she becomes sexually involved with a young, self-assured student. The relationship, marked by sadomasochistic games and emotional manipulation, spirals out of control, leading to a tragic end. The book is a profound critique of bourgeois values and the oppressive structures of society.

    The 788th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  8. 8. The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham

    In a small English village, an inexplicable event causes everyone within its boundaries to fall unconscious for an entire day. When they awaken, it's discovered that all women of childbearing age are pregnant, and the children born from these pregnancies are eerily identical with golden eyes and telepathic abilities. As these children grow, their collective power increases, causing fear and tension among the villagers. The narrative explores themes of fear of the unknown, societal norms, and the power dynamics between adults and children.

    The 1068th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  9. 9. Misery by Stephen King

    A successful novelist is rescued from a car crash by a deranged fan who is upset with the death of her favorite character from his books. Trapped in her remote home, the writer is subjected to physical and psychological torture as the fan forces him to write a new novel bringing the character back to life. As he writes for his life, he must also plan his escape before his captor's rage becomes deadly.

    The 1084th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  10. 10. Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber

    In this dark fantasy novel, a college professor discovers that his wife, along with other women in his social circle, practices witchcraft, using their powers to manipulate events and protect their loved ones. Initially skeptical, the professor is forced to confront the reality of magic when he becomes the target of a colleague's malevolent spells. As he delves deeper into this hidden world, he must rely on his wife's conjuring abilities to combat the dark forces that threaten to destroy his life and career, leading to a suspenseful exploration of the supernatural's influence on the mundane world.

    The 1194th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  11. 11. Amongst Women by John McGahern

    "Amongst Women" is a novel that tells the story of Michael Moran, a bitter, aging Irish Republican Army (IRA) veteran, and his relationships with his wife and five children. The narrative explores themes of family, power, love, and the struggle between freedom and control. Moran's domineering personality and the effects of his past experiences in the IRA have a profound impact on his family, shaping their lives and relationships in complex and often destructive ways.

    The 1408th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  12. 12. The Collector by John Fowles

    The book revolves around a socially awkward and reclusive young man who wins a substantial amount of money in a lottery, which he uses to execute a long-held, sinister fantasy: to "collect" the object of his obsession, a beautiful and unattainable art student. He kidnaps her and holds her captive in the cellar of his rural farmhouse, convinced that she will grow to love him over time. The narrative delves into the psychological complexities of both captor and captive, exploring themes of power, possession, and the nature of love, ultimately revealing the chilling and tragic consequences of his delusional pursuit.

    The 1634th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  13. 13. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

    The narrative is a first-person account of a woman's descent into madness after being confined to a room with yellow wallpaper by her husband, who prescribes a "rest cure" for her postpartum depression. As she spends her days in forced idleness, she becomes obsessed with the room's ghastly wallpaper. She starts to see patterns and figures within it, particularly a woman trapped behind the paper's chaotic designs. The protagonist's identification with the figure and her growing paranoia culminate in a chilling conclusion, as she succumbs to psychosis, tearing down the wallpaper in a desperate attempt to free the woman she believes is trapped within it. The story is a powerful critique of the 19th-century medical treatment of women and a haunting exploration of the reality of mental illness.

    The 1649th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  14. 14. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

    The novel is a complex and surreal narrative that intertwines the lives of two protagonists: a woman assassin who becomes embroiled in a mysterious and dangerous cult, and a male writer caught in a complicated love triangle. As they navigate their respective challenges, they unknowingly cross into an alternate reality, referred to as 1Q84, where the lines between fact and fiction blur. The novel explores themes of love, fate, and the power of the individual against the constraints of a conformist society.

    The 1722nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  15. 15. The Giver by Lois Lowry

    The book is set in a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, where everything is under control. The protagonist is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world. He discovers the dark secrets behind his fragile community and struggles to handle the burden of the knowledge of pain and the concept of individuality. He must decide whether to accept the status quo or break free, risking everything.

    The 1798th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  16. 16. Kallocain by Karin Boye

    This dystopian novel presents a totalitarian world where the government exercises complete control over its citizens' lives, even their thoughts. The protagonist, a loyal soldier, invents a truth serum named Kallocain, which the government uses to extract citizens' innermost secrets. As the story unfolds, the protagonist begins to question the morality of his invention and the regime he serves, leading to a deep personal crisis. The book explores themes of individual freedom, privacy, and the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism.

    The 1801st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  17. 17. Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

    The Birth of the Prison

    This book delves into the historical evolution of the penal system, examining how Western societies have transitioned from a regime of violent, public physical punishment to a more subtle form of surveillance and control. It introduces the concept of the "panopticon," a metaphor for modern disciplinary societies that exercise power through observation and normalization rather than through overt physical coercion. The work explores the relationship between power, knowledge, and social control, arguing that disciplinary mechanisms are embedded in various institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and prisons, shaping individuals and maintaining order in society.

    The 1954th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  18. 18. Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

    "Hedda Gabler" is a dramatic play that centers on the life of its titular character, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage with a dull, reliable husband. She is bored with her life and longs for freedom and excitement. Her desire for control and power leads her to manipulate those around her, resulting in tragic consequences. The play explores themes of societal expectations, personal freedom, and the destructive power of boredom.

    The 2265th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  19. 19. Milkman by Anna Burns

    Set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, this novel follows an unnamed 18-year-old protagonist who is pursued by a powerful, older man known only as the Milkman. Despite her attempts to avoid him and maintain a low profile in her community, rumors spread about their supposed affair, leading to increased scrutiny and isolation. The book explores the protagonist's struggle to maintain her individuality amidst political and social turmoil, while also dealing with the pervasive threat of violence and the power of gossip in a close-knit community.

    The 2311th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  20. 20. A Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor

    This novel tells the story of a New York editor who is called back to his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, by his two manipulative older sisters to help them prevent their elderly father from remarrying. As he becomes embroiled in their family drama, he reflects on his upbringing in the South, his father's tyrannical rule over the family, and the impact it had on his life. The narrative explores themes of family, memory, and the passage of time.

    The 2340th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  21. 21. Alamut by Vladimir Bartol

    The Eagle's Nest

    The novel takes place in the 11th Century Middle East, where the charismatic leader of a radical Islamic sect, known as the Ismailis, manipulates and controls his followers through a combination of religious indoctrination, drugs, and the promise of paradise. The leader creates a literal paradise within the walls of his fortress, Alamut, in order to convince his followers that they are experiencing the afterlife. The story explores themes of power, manipulation, and the nature of faith.

    The 2554th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  22. 22. The Power by Naomi Alderman

    "The Power" by Naomi Alderman is a speculative fiction novel that imagines a world where women develop the ability to produce electrical shocks from their bodies, giving them a newfound physical power over men. The novel follows the lives of four characters as they navigate this new reality and the societal and political upheaval that comes with it. Through their experiences, the book explores themes of gender, power, and the corrupting nature of authority.

    The 2666th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  23. 23. Manservant And Maidservant by Ivy Compton-Burnett

    In this incisive novel, readers are introduced to the tyrannical Horace Lamb, who rules over his household and children with an iron fist, reveling in the power he wields and the misery he inflicts. However, the dynamics within the Lamb household begin to shift with the arrival of new servants and the evolving attitudes of his children, leading to unexpected alliances and revelations. Through sharp dialogue and keen observations, the narrative delves into themes of power, rebellion, and the complexities of human relationships, set against the backdrop of a traditional British household. The story masterfully explores the subtle forms of resistance against oppressive authority, and the possibility of change in even the most rigid structures.

    The 3032nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  24. 24. The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark

    This novel follows the story of Lise, a woman who, disillusioned with her mundane office job, embarks on a journey to an unnamed Southern European city in search of adventure and ultimately, her own demise. Throughout her meticulously planned trip, she engages in erratic behavior, interacts with various eccentric characters, and deliberately places herself in dangerous situations, all while searching for the "right" man to fulfill her dark desire. The narrative, marked by its unconventional structure and a foreboding sense of inevitability, explores themes of alienation, the search for identity, and the human fascination with death, culminating in a shocking and tragic conclusion.

    The 3219th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  25. 25. Fifty Shades of Grey: by E. L. James

    A young, innocent college student interviews a handsome, enigmatic billionaire for her campus newspaper and soon finds herself drawn into his world of dominance and submission. As she navigates the unfamiliar territory of BDSM, she must also grapple with her own desires and the emotional complexities of their unconventional relationship. This erotic romance novel explores themes of power, control, and the nature of love and desire.

    The 3401st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download