The Greatest Experimental and History Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 394 '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.

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Experimental

The "Experimental" category of books is characterized by works that challenge traditional literary conventions and push the boundaries of form and content. These books often incorporate unconventional narrative structures, language, and themes, and may experiment with different mediums such as poetry, visual art, or multimedia. The goal of experimental literature is to create new and innovative ways of storytelling that challenge readers' expectations and expand the possibilities of what literature can be.

History

The category of "History" in books refers to the study and interpretation of past events, societies, and cultures. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including political, social, economic, and cultural developments, as well as the lives of individuals and groups who have shaped the course of history. History books can be written from various perspectives and may focus on specific time periods, regions, or themes. They aim to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the past and its impact on the present.

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  1. 1. Orlando by Virginia Woolf

    A Biography

    The novel follows the life of a young nobleman in Elizabethan England who inexplicably transforms into a woman at the age of 30 and lives on for three centuries without aging. Throughout the centuries, the protagonist experiences various historical events, engages in relationships with both men and women, and explores the complexities of gender identity and sexuality. The book is an exploration of the fluidity of gender and time, as well as a critique of societal norms and expectations.

    The 90th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Finnegans Wake by James Joyce

    This complex and challenging novel is renowned for its experimental style and intricate, dreamlike narrative. It explores the story of a publican in Dublin, his wife, and their three children, but the plot is not linear and often veers into surreal and abstract territory. The book is dense with linguistic games, puns, and allusions to a myriad of cultural, historical, and mythological sources. The narrative is circular, ending in the middle of a sentence that is completed at the start of the book, embodying the cyclical nature of life and history.

    The 301st Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Life, a User's Manual by Georges Perec

    Fictions

    The novel explores the lives of the inhabitants of a Parisian apartment block through a complex, multi-layered narrative. It delves into the interconnected stories of the building's residents, revealing their secrets, desires, and disappointments. The narrative is structured like a puzzle, with the author employing a variety of literary styles and devices, making it a complex and intriguing exploration of human life.

    The 389th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. V by Thomas Pynchon

    "V" is a complex novel that intertwines two parallel narratives. One follows Benny Profane, a discharged U.S. Navy sailor involved in a group of bohemian artists and hooligans called the Whole Sick Crew, while the other narrative is a series of historical accounts researched by Herbert Stencil, who is on a quest to uncover the identity of an entity known only as V. The narrative oscillates between various global locations and time periods, including Egypt in 1898, Southwest Africa in 1922, and Malta in 1919, among others. The book explores themes of entropy, human connection, and the nature of identity.

    The 625th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Rings of Saturn by W. G. Sebald

    "The Rings of Saturn" is a richly detailed travelogue that follows the narrator's journey along the coast of Suffolk, England. The narrative weaves together history, literature, and personal anecdotes, exploring topics as diverse as the decline of the herring industry, the horrors of colonialism in the Congo, and the life of philosopher Sir Thomas Browne. The book is characterized by its melancholic tone, its digressive style, and its meditative reflections on memory, time, and decay.

    The 836th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes

    The novel centers around a retired doctor's obsession with the life and works of Gustave Flaubert, a 19th-century French writer. The doctor's fascination leads him on a quest to find a stuffed parrot that once belonged to the writer. The novel is a blend of biography, literary criticism, and personal memoir, and it explores themes such as the nature of art and the difficulties of interpreting the past.

    The 969th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. A Glastonbury Romance by John Cowper Powys

    The novel is an expansive tale set in the English town of Glastonbury, known for its mythical associations with the Holy Grail and King Arthur. It weaves together the lives of a vast array of characters, from industrialists to mystics, as they search for meaning and transcendence in the post-World War I era. The narrative delves into themes of spirituality, nature, and industrialization, contrasting the mystical allure of ancient legends with the stark realities of modern life. At its heart, the story is a quest for deeper understanding and connection, set against the backdrop of the town's legendary landscape and the annual pageant that reenacts its storied past.

    The 1369th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. G. by John Berger

    "G." is a historical novel set in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, tracing the life of its eponymous and mysterious protagonist 'G.' The narrative explores his relationships with women and his experiences during significant historical events such as World War I and the Italian Risorgimento. The book also delves into themes such as sexual and political identity, and the personal impact of broad social changes.

    The 1622nd Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Clay Machine-gun by Victor Pelevin

    "The Clay Machine-gun" is a surreal and complex novel that explores the nature of reality and illusion. The story is set in post-Soviet Russia and follows a protagonist who has multiple identities, including a poet in 19th-century Russia, a 20th-century psychiatric patient, and a 21st-century advertising executive. The narrative moves between these identities and realities, blurring the lines between them and creating a layered and philosophical exploration of Russian society, identity, and the human psyche.

    The 2090th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Marks of Identity by Juan Goytisolo

    This novel follows the life of Alvaro Mendiola, a Spanish man returning to his homeland after a long period of self-imposed exile in France. Through his experiences and memories, the narrative paints a vivid picture of the socio-political climate in Spain under Franco's dictatorship. As Alvaro grapples with his identity, the book explores themes of personal and national identity, exile, and the struggle for freedom.

    The 2191st Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Pushkin House by Andrey Bitov

    The novel in question is a complex and multi-layered exploration of Soviet intellectual life, following the story of a literary scholar who becomes deeply entangled in his research on the life of a fictional 19th-century Russian poet. As the protagonist delves into the poet's work and biography, his own life begins to mirror the subject of his study, leading to a blurring of past and present, reality and fiction. The narrative weaves together themes of identity, history, and the power of literature, all set against the backdrop of the oppressive atmosphere of the Soviet Union, where the quest for personal and artistic freedom is fraught with peril and contradiction.

    The 2711th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Helping Verbs Of The Heart by Peter Esterhazy

    "Helping Verbs Of The Heart" by Peter Esterhazy is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that delves into the complexities of love and relationships. Through a series of interconnected stories and characters, the book explores the various ways in which love can shape and define our lives. With lyrical prose and deep emotional insight, Esterhazy examines the power of love to both heal and wound, and ultimately leaves readers pondering the profound impact that love can have on the human heart.

    The 2717th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Count Julian by Juan Goytisolo

    "Count Julian" is a novel that explores the themes of betrayal, revenge, and cultural identity. The protagonist, an exiled Spaniard, reflects on the history of his homeland, Spain, and its past conquests and losses. He identifies with Count Julian, a historical figure who invited the Moors to invade Spain as an act of revenge against the Visigothic King Roderic. The narrative is a critique of Spanish nationalism and cultural identity, as the protagonist dreams of a new invasion to cleanse Spain of its past and present sins. The book's complex narrative structure, nonlinear timeline, and poetic language make it a challenging but rewarding read.

    The 3260th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Wittgenstein's Mistress by David Markson

    The novel is a stream-of-consciousness narrative from the perspective of a woman who believes she is the last human on earth. She shares her thoughts, memories, and experiences in a non-linear and often confusing manner. The narrative is filled with cultural and historical references, creating a haunting and profound exploration of loneliness, memory, and the human condition.

    The 3357th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. Dictee by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

    "Dictee" is a groundbreaking work that defies traditional genre classification, blending poetry, prose, and visual elements to explore themes of identity, displacement, and history. The book is structured around the lives of several women connected by their struggles with cultural and personal identity, including the Greek muse Clio, Joan of Arc, and the author's own mother. Through a fragmented and nonlinear narrative, the work delves into the complexities of language and memory, particularly focusing on the experiences of Korean immigrants and the impact of colonialism. The innovative use of multiple languages and formats challenges the reader to engage with the text on multiple levels, making it a profound meditation on voice, empowerment, and reclaiming one's history.

    The 3703rd Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. A Dictionary Of Maqiao by Han Shaogong

    The book is a unique narrative that explores the cultural and social dynamics of a rural Chinese village through the lens of its local dialect. By presenting a series of definitions and anecdotes, it delves into the lives, beliefs, and histories of the villagers, revealing the complexities and richness of their world. The work blends fiction and ethnography, offering a profound commentary on language, memory, and the ways in which they shape human experience and identity.

    The 3790th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Vertigo by W. G. Sebald

    "Vertigo" is a complex narrative that combines elements of fiction, travelogue, biography, and autobiography. The novel is divided into four sections, each exploring the life and works of different historical figures such as Stendhal, Kafka, and Casanova, as well as the author's own experiences. The narrative is characterized by its exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and the past, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction. The book is also notable for its distinctive style, featuring long, meandering sentences and a lack of traditional plot structure.

    The 3844th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Museum of Unconditional Surrender by Dubravka Ugrešić

    "The Museum of Unconditional Surrender" is a poignant and surreal narrative that explores the dislocation and fragmentation experienced by an unnamed narrator who has been exiled from her homeland, former Yugoslavia. The novel is presented as a collection of fragments, including letters, diary entries, and observations, which together portray a deep longing for a lost homeland and an exploration of memory, identity, and the power of art. The story is centered around a photograph of a walrus in a Berlin zoo, which serves as a metaphor for the narrator's own feelings of displacement and alienation.

    The 4705th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. L'acacia by Claude Simon

    The novel is a complex and fragmented exploration of memory and war, weaving together the personal and historical experiences of a soldier who, after surviving the battlefields of World War I, embarks on a journey to reclaim the body of his brother killed in action. As the narrative shifts across time and space, it delves into the soldier's recollections of his childhood, his experiences during the war, and the broader impacts of conflict on individuals and society. The book's non-linear structure and rich, descriptive language challenge the reader to piece together the story, reflecting the disorienting and enduring effects of war on the human psyche.

    The 4949th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue

    "Sudden Death" is a historical fiction novel that revolves around a fictional tennis match between the Italian painter, Caravaggio, and the Spanish poet, Francisco de Quevedo. The narrative jumps through time and space, touching on the conquest of the Americas, the political machinations of the Vatican, and the personal lives and rivalries of historical figures. The book uses this surreal and humorous setup to explore themes of art, power, and the chaotic, violent nature of the world.

    The 5788th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. White Girls by Hilton Als

    "White Girls" is a collection of essays that explore the concept of "white girls" as the author sees it - a cultural and racial construct, rather than a literal description. The book delves into the author's personal experiences, pop culture, history, and his own identity as a gay black man. It examines figures from pop culture, literature, and the author's personal life, including Truman Capote, Michael Jackson, and the author's own sister, to explore themes of race, gender, identity, and the love and loss that comes with friendship.

    The 6371st Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. Herrumbrosas Lanzas by Juan Benet

    El aire de un crimen

    Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, the novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the ravages of conflict through a tapestry of interconnected stories and characters. The narrative is rich with introspective monologues and intricate descriptions, exploring themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The characters, each grappling with their own personal battles and moral dilemmas, navigate a world marked by decay and disillusionment. The novel's dense, evocative prose captures the haunting atmosphere of a war-torn landscape, reflecting on the enduring impact of history and the elusive nature of truth.

    The 6566th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. The Blue Flowers by Raymond Queneau

    The novel is a playful and complex narrative that intertwines the stories of two characters living centuries apart: the medieval Duke of Auge as he goes on various adventures, and a modern-day Frenchman named Cidrolin who spends his days idly lounging on a barge moored on the Seine. The narrative switches back and forth between the two timelines with each chapter, employing a variety of literary styles and linguistic puns. The book is known for its experimental use of language, its humorous take on historical and contemporary life, and its exploration of themes such as time, identity, and the cyclical nature of existence.

    The 6568th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. Memory Rose Into Threshold Speech by Paul Celan

    The Collected Earlier Poetry

    "Memory Rose Into Threshold Speech: The Collected Earlier Poetry" is a compilation of the early poetry works of Paul Celan. The book delves into themes of memory, language, and the human experience, showcasing Celan's unique style and exploration of complex emotions. Through his powerful and evocative language, Celan invites readers to reflect on the profound impact of memory and the transformative power of words.

    The 6652nd Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. The Arcades Project by Walter Benjamin

    "The Arcades Project" is a comprehensive and intricate examination of 19th-century Parisian life, focusing on the iron-and-glass shopping arcades that emerged as early forms of the shopping mall. Compiled from a vast array of notes and writings, the work delves into the city's architectural and urban transformations, exploring how these spaces influenced aspects of culture, politics, and everyday life. Through a montage of quotations, reflections, and critical commentary, the book presents a fragmented yet profound analysis of modernity, capturing the intersection of history, philosophy, and social theory.

    The 6927th Greatest Book of All Time

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