The Greatest "Domestic, Drama, Fiction" Books Since 1970

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 '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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Domestic

The "Domestic" category of books typically refers to stories that focus on the everyday lives and experiences of individuals and families within their homes and communities. These books often explore themes such as relationships, family dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges and joys of daily life. Domestic fiction can include a range of sub-genres, from heartwarming family dramas to suspenseful psychological thrillers, but all share a focus on the intimate and personal aspects of human experience.

Drama

Drama is a genre of literature that typically deals with serious and emotional themes, often exploring the complexities of human relationships and the struggles individuals face in their lives. These books often feature intense character development and intricate plotlines, delving into the depths of human experience and the challenges of navigating the world around us. From family dramas to political intrigue, the drama genre encompasses a wide range of stories that aim to captivate readers with their raw and powerful storytelling.

Fiction

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  1. 26. Home by Marilynne Robinson

    "Home" is a deeply emotional narrative that explores the themes of faith, redemption, and the complexity of family relationships. The story revolves around the Boughton family, particularly the prodigal son, Jack, who returns home after twenty years. His struggle to fit into the family and society, and his sister Glory's attempts to help him, form the crux of the story. The book delves into their past, revealing secrets and regrets, and provides a profound reflection on love, loss, and forgiveness.

    The 2425th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

    The novel tells the story of a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey, in the 1950s who, unable to find work at home, is sent to Brooklyn by a helpful priest where she builds a new life. She finds work, studies to become a bookkeeper, and falls in love with an Italian plumber named Tony. However, a family tragedy forces her to return to Ireland, where she must choose between her new life in America and her old life at home.

    The 2618th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson

    The novel is a unique blend of family saga and historical fiction, told from the perspective of Ruby Lennox, whose narrative begins before her birth and spans over three generations of women in her family. Ruby's story is interwoven with "footnotes" that delve into the lives of her ancestors, revealing secrets, tragedies, and the complexity of their relationships. The book explores themes of motherhood, loss, and identity, while providing a humorous and poignant look at life in the 20th century England.

    The 3021st Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

    The novel is a vibrant portrayal of the lives of twelve different characters, primarily black British women, spanning over a century. Each character has their own unique story, tackling issues such as feminism, politics, sexuality, and identity. The narrative is a blend of poetry and prose, exploring the interconnected lives of these women and their personal struggles and triumphs. It is a powerful exploration of race, gender, and the changing face of Britain.

    The 3047th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante

    "The Neapolitan Novels" is a four-part series that explores the intricate and lifelong friendship between two women from Naples, Italy. The series spans several decades, beginning in the 1950s, and provides a detailed examination of the women's lives, struggles, and the societal pressures they face. The narrative delves into themes of identity, friendship, love, violence, and socio-political changes in post-war Italy. The series is known for its rich character development and vivid portrayal of female friendship.

    The 3088th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Empire Falls by Richard Russo

    "Empire Falls" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the life of Miles Roby, a man who has spent his entire life in a decaying, blue-collar town in Maine. Miles, a kind-hearted man, runs the Empire Grill, a local diner, and dreams of escaping the town and his manipulative, wealthy boss. The novel delves into the complex relationships and social dynamics of the town, examining themes of love, loss, and the economic decline of small-town America.

    The 3646th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner

    The novel follows the story of a literary agent, now retired, who lives a quiet life with his wife in California. Their peace is disrupted when an old postcard from a Danish aristocrat arrives, prompting them to revisit their past. The protagonist begins reading from his old journal, recounting their trip to Denmark years ago, where they became entangled in a mysterious and unsettling affair. The novel explores themes of memory, aging, and the choices that shape one's life.

    The 3694th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Netherland by Joseph O'Neill

    "Netherland" is a post-9/11 novel set in New York City, which explores the life of a Dutch banker named Hans. After his wife and son move back to London, Hans becomes immersed in the world of cricket, where he befriends a charismatic Trinidadian named Chuck Ramkissoon who dreams of building a cricket stadium in the city. The novel is a meditation on the American Dream, identity, and the immigrant experience, all set against the backdrop of a city and a country grappling with a new reality.

    The 3765th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Brick Lane by Monica Ali

    This novel tells the story of a Bangladeshi woman named Nazneen who moves to London at the age of 18 for an arranged marriage to a man 20 years her senior. The narrative explores her life in the city, her struggles with her unhappy marriage, her affair with a young radical, and her attempts to reconcile her traditional upbringing with her new surroundings. The book also explores the lives of immigrants in the UK, the clash of cultures, and the struggle for identity.

    The 4081st Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

    The book is a profound exploration of love, loyalty, and justice, centered on a young African American couple whose lives are shattered when the husband is wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn't commit. The narrative delves into the emotional turmoil that ensues, as the wife struggles with her obligations to her husband and her own desires for happiness. Through a series of letters exchanged between the couple during the husband's incarceration, and the perspectives of those entangled in their plight, the story examines the complexities of marriage, the impact of racial injustice on personal relationships, and the resilience required to overcome profound adversity.

    The 4148th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

    A man's life is dramatically altered when his young daughter is kidnapped during a routine shopping trip. As he grapples with the loss, he also deals with a failing marriage, a best friend who becomes a government official, and a strange time-warp phenomenon. The narrative delves into themes of parenthood, loss, and the fluidity of time, while exploring the protagonist's struggle to maintain his sanity amidst the chaos.

    The 5090th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Purple America by Rick Moody

    In this emotionally charged novel, we delve into the complexities of family dynamics and personal despair. The protagonist returns to his childhood home to care for his mother, who is afflicted with a debilitating illness. As he confronts the challenges of his mother's care, he also grapples with the dissolution of his own marriage and the haunting legacy of his absent father. Set against the backdrop of a decaying suburban America, the narrative weaves together themes of love, loss, and the search for identity, painting a portrait of a man struggling to make sense of his responsibilities and his place in a world that seems to be falling apart around him.

    The 5145th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Union Street by Pat Barker

    Set in the industrial north of England, the novel delves into the lives of seven women, each living on the same street, as they navigate the gritty realities of working-class existence. Through their interconnected stories, the narrative explores themes of poverty, domestic violence, friendship, and survival. The women, ranging from young girls to elderly matriarchs, confront their individual struggles and societal challenges, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their tales, though often harrowing, are imbued with a sense of community and the unspoken bonds that tie them together.

    The 5217th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

    "Fates and Furies" is a novel split into two parts, providing two perspectives on a single marriage. The first half of the book, "Fates," is told from the point of view of the husband, Lotto, a charismatic but failed actor turned successful playwright, who views his marriage as happy and his wife as supportive. The second half, "Furies," is told from the perspective of his wife, Mathilde, revealing her hidden past and the sacrifices and manipulations she has performed to maintain their life together. The novel explores themes of love, secrets, and the different narratives created within a relationship.

    The 5418th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

    A nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell embarks on a quest to solve the mystery behind a key he discovered in his deceased father's closet. His father died in the 9/11 attacks, and Oskar believes the key is a clue to a message his father left behind. As he explores all five boroughs of New York City, he encounters a diverse group of people, each with their own stories and struggles. The narrative is a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the search for closure.

    The 5826th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Plainsong by Kent Haruf

    This novel is set in the small town of Holt, Colorado, and explores the intertwining lives of its residents. The narrative focuses on a high school teacher raising two sons after his wife leaves him, a pair of bachelor brothers who have lived together on their family farm for decades, and a pregnant teenager kicked out of her home. The characters' lives intersect in unexpected ways, offering a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the human capacity for connection and kindness.

    The 5874th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. Death In Summer by William Trevor

    This novel delves into the life of a widower grappling with the sudden loss of his wife in an accident, leaving him to care for their infant daughter alone. Amidst his grief, he encounters a series of potential nannies, each bringing their own complexities and the past into his meticulously ordered world. The narrative weaves through themes of loneliness, the search for connection, and the shadows cast by past actions, as the protagonist navigates the challenges of new fatherhood and the intrusion of an obsessed stranger. Set against a backdrop of everyday English life, the story unfolds with subtlety and depth, exploring the nuances of human relationships and the quiet moments that define and disrupt our lives.

    The 6418th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Three Junes by Julia Glass

    "Three Junes" is a novel that explores the complexities of family relationships, love, and loss across three generations over the course of three Junes spanning a decade. The narrative primarily focuses on the life of a Scottish man and his two sons, one gay and living in New York, the other in a failing marriage. The novel is divided into three parts, each set in a different June and each from a different character's perspective, providing a rich and nuanced portrait of the characters' interconnected lives.

    The 6545th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

    "Shuggie Bain" is a heart-wrenching tale set in 1980s Glasgow, Scotland, centered on a young boy, Shuggie, who is struggling with his mother's deteriorating mental health and alcoholism. As he tries to navigate his own burgeoning sexuality in a harsh, unforgiving environment, he also strives to care for his mother, who is trapped in a cycle of addiction and abusive relationships. The book gives a stark portrayal of poverty, addiction, love, and the human spirit's resilience.

    The 6662nd Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews

    All My Puny Sorrows is a poignant exploration of the complex relationship between two sisters, one a successful concert pianist battling severe depression and the other a struggling writer trying to support her. The narrative delves into themes of mental illness, suicide, love, and the power of familial bonds. It grapples with the moral and ethical questions surrounding assisted suicide, the struggle to understand a loved one's pain, and the lengths to which one might go to help them find peace.

    The 6668th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

    This novel follows the lives of three friends in their thirties living in New York City in the months leading up to and following the September 11 attacks. All children of privilege, they struggle with their careers, love lives, and identities against the backdrop of a changing world. The narrative explores themes of entitlement, disillusionment, and the often complicated nature of adult friendships.

    The 6732nd Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

    The novel follows the story of Codi Noline, a woman who returns to her hometown of Grace, Arizona to help her aging father. As she reconnects with her community and navigates her complicated relationship with her sister Hallie, who has disappeared in Nicaragua, Codi grapples with feelings of displacement and a lack of identity. The story explores themes of memory, heritage, love, and environmental conservation as Codi learns to find her place in the world and protect the land she calls home.

    The 6864th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. Dirt Music by Tim Winton

    The novel explores the entangled lives of a small, tight-knit community in Western Australia, where the past and personal grief weigh heavily on the present. It centers on the illicit romance between Georgie Jutland, a woman feeling trapped in her relationship with a local fisherman, and Lu Fox, a poacher with a troubled history. Their connection sets off a chain of events that disrupts the community and sends Lu on a transformative journey into the remote Australian wilderness. As the narrative unfolds, the characters grapple with their inner demons, the harsh realities of love and survival, and the redemptive power of nature and music.

    The 6879th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. The Lay Of The Land by Richard Ford

    "The Lay of the Land" by Richard Ford follows the life of Frank Bascombe, a middle-aged man living in New Jersey. The novel takes place over the course of Thanksgiving weekend in 2000 and explores Frank's relationships with his ex-wife, his girlfriend, and his children. As Frank navigates through his personal struggles, he also grapples with the changing landscape of America and the impact it has on his identity. The novel is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in a constantly evolving world.

    The 7041st Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

    "The Slap" is a thought-provoking novel that explores the repercussions of a single incident at a suburban barbecue. When a man slaps a misbehaving child who is not his own, it sets off a chain of events that unravels the lives of the characters involved. Told from multiple perspectives, the book delves into themes of family, morality, and the complexities of modern society, challenging readers to question their own beliefs and values.

    The 7066th 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