Arts: The Critics' Century 1900-2000
This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.
About this list
The Observer (Newspaper), 39 Books
The original article, "Arts: The Critics' Century 1900-2000," posed the question, "What would you take with you from this millennium to the next?" to a group of notable individuals in the arts, inviting them to choose significant works that they couldn't imagine leaving behind. The full feature includes a diverse array of art forms, not limited to literature, covering pieces across mediums like visual art, music, and film. Here, however, only books and plays are listed from the original compilation. This list is ranked. The books mentioned the most are ranked the highest.
The selection represents contributions from well-known figures in literature, journalism, music, politics, and criticism, chosen for their prominent roles and influence in British arts and media. This distinguished group of voters includes: Dani Behr, David Lodge, Tracey Emin, David Bailey, Bobby Baker, Lynn Barber, Julie Burchill, Brenda Maddox, Fergal Keane, Joseph Corré, Margaret Forster, Will Self, Philip French, Deborah Moggach, Julie Myerson, Fiona Maddocks, Michael Arditti, Andrew Motion, Carol Shields, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Neil Spencer, Barbara Trapido, Malcolm Bradbury, Teresa Gorman, and Susannah Clapp.
This unique selection of critics and artists provides an eclectic view of the books and plays deemed essential for future generations. The list captures not only literary classics but also the perspectives of influential voices from the past century.
This list was originally published in 1999 and was added to this site over 1 year ago.