The Greatest American, Japanese "Fiction, Surrealism" Books Since 1990

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 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.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Fiction

Surrealism

Surrealism is a genre of literature that explores the subconscious mind and the irrational aspects of human experience. It often features dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and a sense of the uncanny. Surrealist literature seeks to challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries of reality, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. It is a genre that celebrates the power of the imagination and encourages readers to question their perceptions of the world around them.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

American

Japanese

Add additional country filters

Date Range

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
  1. 1. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

    A man's search for his wife's missing cat evolves into a surreal journey through Tokyo's underbelly, where he encounters a bizarre collection of characters with strange stories and peculiar obsessions. As he delves deeper, he finds himself entangled in a web of dreamlike scenarios, historical digressions, and metaphysical investigations. His reality becomes increasingly intertwined with the dream world as he grapples with themes of fate, identity, and the dark side of the human psyche.

    The 277th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami

    "Kafka On The Shore" is a surreal and philosophical novel by Haruki Murakami that follows two parallel storylines. The first is that of Kafka Tamura, a 15-year-old boy who runs away from home to escape an Oedipal prophecy and searches for his missing mother and sister. The second storyline follows Nakata, an elderly man who has lost his memory but possesses the ability to communicate with cats. As their paths converge, they encounter strange and mystical events that challenge their perceptions of reality and identity. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the human psyche, and is a captivating and thought-provoking read.

    The 1969th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. 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 2624th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado

    "Her Body and Other Parties: Stories" is a collection of short stories that weave elements of psychological realism and science fiction to explore the realities of women's lives and the violence inflicted upon their bodies. The narratives range from a woman refusing to let her husband remove a green ribbon from around her neck, to a salesclerk in a mall making a horrifying discovery within the seams of the store's prom dresses. The book centers on women's experiences in their bodies, touching on themes of sexuality, gender, and the dynamics of power.

    The 3354th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Event Factory by Renee Gladman

    "Event Factory" is a novel that transports the reader to the fictional city of Ravicka, a place where language and landscape are disorientingly intertwined. The narrator, a foreign visitor, navigates through this enigmatic city, attempting to understand its complex linguistic and cultural cues while grappling with the gradual disappearance of the city itself. The narrative explores themes of communication, perception, and the feeling of otherness in a foreign land, all set against the backdrop of a city that seems to be vanishing before her eyes. The book challenges the boundaries of language and narrative structure, creating a surreal and immersive experience.

    The 6643rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. The Fountains of Neptune by Rikki Ducornet

    The novel centers around a character named Nicky, who wakes up from a coma after a shipwreck with no memory of his past. As the story unfolds, he starts to recall fragments of his life, his obsessions, and his encounters with strange and eccentric characters. The book is filled with surreal and dreamlike sequences, exploring themes of memory, obsession, and the power of the imagination. It is set in a coastal town filled with quirky inhabitants and is rich in maritime and nautical imagery.

    The 6841st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Jade Cabinet by Rikki Ducornet

    "The Jade Cabinet" is a surreal, historical novel set in 19th century England. The story follows Etheria, a girl born with the ability to communicate with the inanimate, who is raised by her eccentric uncle and aunt after her parents' death. The narrative explores themes of obsession, madness, and the blurred line between reality and imagination, as Etheria's life intertwines with a taxidermist and a mad scientist. The novel is renowned for its rich, poetic language and vivid, dream-like imagery.

    The 6890th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Age of Wire and String by Ben Marcus

    This book is a collection of short, interconnected stories that challenges the conventions of narrative and language. The stories are set in an alternative America and are filled with surreal and bizarre elements, often defying logic and meaning. The author uses a unique, poetic language to describe this world, creating a strange and disorienting effect. The book is divided into different sections, each dealing with a different aspect of this world, such as food, sleep, or animals. It's a challenging and thought-provoking read that pushes the boundaries of fiction.

    The 7080th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. We Others: New & Selected Stories by Steven Millhauser

    "We Others: New & Selected Stories" is a collection that brings together a range of captivating short stories, blending the magical with the mundane. The anthology showcases the author's talent for infusing ordinary settings with a sense of wonder, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Readers are treated to a diverse array of narratives, from tales of small-town enchantments to introspective explorations of human nature. The stories, both new and previously published, highlight the author's skill in creating rich, immersive worlds and characters that resonate with a deep understanding of the complexities of life and the human psyche.

    The 8230th 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