The Greatest "Postmodern, Surrealism, Fictional Location" 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 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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Postmodern

Postmodernism is a literary movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a rejection of traditional narrative structures and a focus on self-reflexivity and intertextuality. Postmodern literature often features fragmented narratives, unreliable narrators, and a blurring of the lines between reality and fiction. It is a genre that challenges the notion of a single, objective truth and instead embraces the idea of multiple perspectives and interpretations. Postmodern literature is often seen as a response to the modernist movement that preceded it, and it continues to be a popular and influential category for contemporary writers.

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.

Fictional Location

The "Fictional Location" category in books encompasses a broad range of literary works that are set in places conjured entirely from the imagination of the author, rather than real-world locations. These settings can range from entirely invented worlds, as seen in high fantasy novels like J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth in "The Lord of the Rings," to smaller, made-up towns and cities situated within the familiar confines of our own planet, such as Gabriel García Márquez's Macondo in "One Hundred Years of Solitude." The allure of this category lies in the author's ability to craft unique environments that operate under their own set of rules, cultures, and histories, providing a rich backdrop for storytelling that can explore themes and narratives unconstrained by the limitations of reality. Whether these locations offer an escape to magical realms, dystopian futures, or alternate histories, books in the "Fictional Location" category invite readers to embark on journeys to places that exist only in the far reaches of the writer's creativity and the reader's imagination.

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  1. 1. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien

    "The Third Policeman" is a darkly comedic and surreal novel about a nameless narrator who, after committing a murder to raise funds for his scholarly obsession with a bizarre pseudo-scientific theory, finds himself wandering in an eerie, nightmarish landscape. He encounters strange characters, including a pair of eccentric policemen who are obsessed with bicycles, and becomes embroiled in a series of increasingly absurd and ludicrous situations. The novel explores themes of existence, reality, and the nature of hell, with a twist ending that forces the reader to question everything they've read.

    The 463rd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett

    "The Unnamable" is a complex, stream-of-consciousness narrative that explores themes of existence, identity, and the nature of reality. The protagonist, who lacks a clear identity, is trapped in a void and continually questions his existence and reality. As he grapples with his own consciousness, he attempts to tell his story, but constantly doubts and revises it, creating a cyclical, fragmented narrative. The novel is known for its challenging, abstract prose and its exploration of existentialist themes.

    The 470th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Lanark by Alasdair Gray

    "Lanark" is an unconventional narrative that combines elements of fantasy, dystopia, and realism. The protagonist, a man named Lanark, moves through two parallel existences. In one, he's a young man named Duncan Thaw in post-war Glasgow, struggling with his artistic ambitions and personal relationships. In the other, he's Lanark in the grim, bureaucratic city of Unthank, suffering from a mysterious skin condition and grappling with his identity and purpose. The novel explores themes of love, alienation, creativity, and the human condition, presenting a complex and thought-provoking portrait of life and society.

    The 748th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

    The book follows a renowned pianist who arrives in a Central European city to give a concert. However, his time there becomes increasingly surreal and disjointed as he is pulled in different directions by the demands of the locals, his own past, and his responsibilities. The narrative explores themes of memory, time, and self-delusion, creating a dream-like atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.

    The 1340th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Pricksongs and Descants by Robert Coover

    This book is a collection of short stories that blend elements of American folklore, historical realities, and contemporary life into a unique, surreal, and often disturbing narrative. The author uses a mix of traditional and experimental storytelling techniques to explore themes such as love, death, and the nature of reality. The stories often feature bizarre, dreamlike scenarios and characters, challenging readers to question their assumptions and perceptions.

    The 1420th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Watt by Samuel Beckett

    The novel is a darkly comedic and absurdist exploration of the human condition. It follows the eponymous character, Watt, as he serves as a domestic servant in a bizarre, isolated household. Throughout the narrative, Watt struggles to make sense of his surroundings, the odd behavior of his master, and his own existence. The book is filled with philosophical musings, wordplay, and surreal humor, offering a unique and challenging reading experience.

    The 1431st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Sixty Stories by Donald Barthelme

    "Sixty Stories" is a collection of short narratives that use unconventional, experimental structures to explore a range of themes. The book is known for its absurdist and postmodern style, and the stories often feature elements of parody, surrealism, and satire. The tales cover a wide array of topics, including art, literature, philosophy, and the human condition, all presented with a unique blend of humor, wit, and intellectual depth.

    The 1534th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Infernal Desire Machines Of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter

    The novel is a phantasmagorical journey through a world where reality is under siege by the diabolical machinations of a mad scientist who has unleashed desire machines that warp perception and desire. The protagonist, Desiderio, an employee of the Ministry of Determination, embarks on a quest to stop Doctor Hoffman, confronting a series of bizarre and surreal challenges that blend eroticism, philosophy, and violence. As Desiderio travels through cities and landscapes transformed by the machines, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters and experiences dreamlike adventures that challenge the boundaries of reality, identity, and sanity, culminating in a confrontation with the enigmatic Doctor and the resolution of his own complex relationship with Hoffman's daughter.

    The 1711th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. 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
  10. 10. The Melancholy of Resistance by László Krasznahorkai

    "The Melancholy of Resistance" is a surreal and philosophical novel set in a small Hungarian town that becomes isolated by a massive snowstorm. The arrival of a mysterious circus, featuring a stuffed whale and a silent, enigmatic leader, brings with it a wave of change and unrest. The narrative explores themes of chaos, resistance, and the struggle for power through the perspectives of various townsfolk, including a reclusive music theorist and a former political dissident. The novel is known for its complex, long-winded sentences and its bleak yet profound examination of human nature and society.

    The 2102nd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Cities of the Red Night: A Novel by William S. Burroughs

    "Cities of the Red Night: A Novel" is a surreal, hallucinatory narrative that intertwines three storylines: an 18th-century pirate crew seeking utopia, a detective investigating a series of grotesque murders, and a pandemic causing spontaneous orgasms. The novel explores themes of homosexuality, anarchism, and the occult, using its disjointed narrative structure to challenge traditional understandings of time, space, and reality.

    The 2352nd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Castle of Crossed Destinies by Italo Calvino

    "The Castle of Crossed Destinies" is a unique narrative where the characters, unable to speak, tell their stories through the use of tarot cards. The book is divided into two parts, each set in a different castle, and features a variety of characters, including knights, kings, and queens, who each use the cards to weave their own tales. The stories are interconnected, creating a complex web of tales that explore themes of fate, destiny, and the interconnectedness of human experiences.

    The 2443rd Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. VALIS by Philip K. Dick

    The novel follows a mentally unstable man who begins to experience visions after being hit by a mysterious pink light. Convinced the light is a divine entity named VALIS, he and his friends embark on a quest to understand and communicate with it. As they delve into philosophy, religion, and science, the boundaries between reality and delusion begin to blur, leaving both the characters and the reader questioning the nature of existence.

    The 2821st Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Atrocity Exhibition by J. G. Ballard

    This book is a collection of interconnected stories that explore the effects of media and technology on modern psychology and human behavior. The narrative centers around a psychiatrist who, after a mental breakdown, becomes fixated on the idea that there is a deeper, more abstract reality beneath the surface of everyday life. He obsessively analyzes cultural events, car crashes, and sexual encounters as he attempts to deconstruct the world into a series of conceptual, almost fetishized images. The work challenges the boundaries between sanity and madness, reality and simulation, in a fragmented, non-linear style that mirrors the disjointed nature of the protagonist's psyche and the chaotic society he is attempting to dissect.

    The 3093rd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. A School For Fools by Sasha Sokolov

    The novel presents a fragmented and surreal narrative that delves into the mind of a young boy with a learning disability, attending a special school in the Soviet Union. Through a stream-of-consciousness style, the book explores the boy's experiences and perceptions, blending reality with fantasy, and time with memory. The protagonist's inner world is rich with poetic language and vivid imagery, reflecting his struggle to find his place in a society that marginalizes those who are different. The narrative structure defies conventional storytelling, offering a unique and challenging perspective on the nature of sanity, the power of institutions, and the complexity of the human psyche.

    The 4014th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. Nova Express by William S. Burroughs

    In this experimental novel, the protagonist, a detective, navigates a dystopian world where control systems manipulate human behavior. The narrative is a complex interweaving of hallucinatory landscapes and seedy characters, punctuated by the author's unique 'cut-up' technique. The book is a critique of societal control mechanisms, exploring themes of addiction, sexuality, and the human condition. It is part of a larger series that uses science fiction and satire to challenge conventional narrative structures and societal norms.

    The 4502nd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. Heartsnatcher by Boris Vian

    The novel is a surreal and satirical tale set in a bizarre town where the eccentric inhabitants live under the oppressive rule of a despotic and whimsical figure. The narrative follows the lives of the townspeople, who are subjected to absurd and often cruel whims that challenge their sanity and morality. As the story unfolds, the characters confront the absurdity of existence, the nature of love and desire, and the struggle for individual freedom against authoritarian control. The book combines elements of fantasy, dark humor, and existential philosophy, creating a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human nature and society.

    The 5210th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Red Grass by Boris Vian

    "The Red Grass" is a surreal and philosophical novel that delves into the life of a man obsessed with creating a machine that can record and alter human memories. Set in a bizarre and shifting world that defies the constraints of time and space, the protagonist navigates through a series of existential crises and encounters with eccentric characters, all while grappling with the implications of his invention. The narrative explores themes of reality, identity, and the nature of existence, challenging the reader to question the very fabric of their perceptions and the consequences of tampering with the human mind.

    The 5220th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The Ticket That Exploded by William S. Burroughs

    This novel explores the concept of language as a virus and the use of sound and visual editing techniques to create nonlinear narratives. It follows a secret agent who is part of an organization that manipulates and controls human behavior through the use of language and media. The agent becomes disillusioned with the organization's methods and seeks to undermine them. The book is known for its experimental style, including the use of the "cut-up" technique, which involves rearranging words and phrases to create new meanings.

    The 5636th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs

    "The Soft Machine" is a surreal and experimental novel that employs a non-linear narrative and the cut-up technique, a method of rearranging or juxtaposing text to create new meaning. The book explores themes of control, conformity, and corruption in society, using a variety of characters and settings, including a junkie, a time traveler, and various dystopian societies. The narrative is marked by its explicit content and its critique of traditional societal structures, making it a notable work of the Beat Generation.

    The 5636th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. Three by Georges Perec

    This book is a unique exploration of human experience and memory, weaving together three distinct narratives that delve into the intricacies of loss, identity, and the passage of time. Through a meticulous and innovative use of language, the author crafts a multifaceted examination of life's fleeting moments and the ways in which they are remembered and forgotten. The narratives, though seemingly disparate, converge in their shared themes of absence and the search for meaning within the mundane, challenging readers to reflect on the nature of existence and the connections that bind the past to the present.

    The 5699th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. 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
  23. 23. The Baphomet by Pierre Klossowski

    "The Baphomet" is a philosophical novel that delves into the esoteric and mystical aspects of the Knights Templar, exploring themes of transgression, heresy, and the nature of divine presence. The narrative is structured around a series of ritualistic encounters and dialogues among the Templars, who have achieved a form of immortality. The characters engage in complex discussions on the dissolution of individual identity, the fluidity of gender, and the quest for spiritual transcendence. The book blends historical elements with surreal and symbolic imagery, challenging the reader to consider the boundaries of desire, knowledge, and the sacred.

    The 7168th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. T Zero by Italo Calvino

    "T Zero" is a collection of complex, imaginative stories that blend scientific concepts, mathematical structures, and literary experimentation. The work challenges the boundaries of time, space, and narrative convention, weaving together a tapestry of tales that explore the nature of reality, causality, and human perception. Through a series of thought-provoking vignettes, the book delves into the paradoxes of existence, employing a playful yet profound use of language to question the very framework of storytelling and the universe it attempts to describe.

    The 7168th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. Mount Analogue by René Daumal

    The book is a novel that combines surreal adventure with philosophical inquiry, telling the story of an expedition to a mysterious, inaccessible mountain that represents a spiritual quest. The mountain, which connects Earth to Heaven, can only be perceived by those who have refined their inner vision. The narrative follows the explorers as they embark on their journey, facing various challenges and revelations that mirror the inner landscapes of human consciousness and the pursuit of enlightenment. As the climbers ascend, the novel delves into themes of reality, symbolism, and the pursuit of the absolute, ultimately leaving the reader with a contemplation of the unattainable peak of human knowledge and experience.

    The 7168th 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