About this list

Book, 102 Books

The 100 Best Novels in Translation by Boyd Tonkin is a curated guide to world literature, presenting a personal selection of 100 outstanding novels originally written in languages other than English and published between 1600 and 2000. Drawing on his deep experience as a literary critic and former judge of major international fiction prizes, Tonkin aims not to establish a rigid canon but to inspire curiosity, debate, and discovery. Each entry offers a thoughtful summary and analysis, along with praise for the translators who bring these works to English-speaking audiences. While the book has faced some criticism for its Eurocentric focus and gender imbalance, it remains a passionate, well-informed celebration of global fiction and the art of translation.

This list was originally published in 2019 and was added to this site about 1 year ago.