Definitely not my list (neither is the Guardian 100) but still some bangers on there! I feel like Native Son and East of Eden are both incredibly underrated. The fact that they left Steinbeck off the Guardian list is criminal.
The Master and Margarita would be on my list, and the Brothers Karamazov. I love the Russians. Hard agree on Steinbeck, though Grapes of Wrath is my East of Eden. As for the Grauniad? 🙄
The God of Small Things - the themes! The structure! The way it changed how I think about what a story is and can do! But most of all, the writing! It’s been more than 20 years since I first read it and there are still passages and turns of phrase that live in my brain and inform how I see the world
so many good ones!! and congrats on 20k, can’t think of anyone who deserves it more 🫶🏼 (also my toxic trait is that i can’t help but like mr rochester, even though he is awful)
Jesmyn Ward would have to be on my list, probably for Sing, Unburied, Sing. Pachinko is another great one I saw mentioned! And I whole-heartedly agree with the amount of Toni Morrison on this list. Congrats on 20k!!
The Guardian list has been entertaining me because everyone is mad, literally everyone! But I did like that in the bottom half we see some novels that aren’t usually on these lists. It wasn’t boring that’s for sure!
i totally agree! i pride myself on not being as susceptible to ragebait / resisting being mad at the thing everyone is mad about…but i get it with this one. still, it was a surprising list, which they rarely are!
Great list, thank you! I went to add a few to my tbr on Goodreads and saw that you gave some of them 4 stars. I’m curious if that’s because you liked them more in retrospect or because you think they’re flawed but still exceptional?
thank you! and thanks for letting me know — all of the 20 best should be five stars (the honorable mentions no) so let me make sure they’re all rated correctly. goodreads stays giving me issues
i also feel like pachinko could make my list along with others i’m sure im not thinking of. i’m sure if i look at guardians list it’ll make me mad lol congrats on 20k!
Definitely not my list (neither is the Guardian 100) but still some bangers on there! I feel like Native Son and East of Eden are both incredibly underrated. The fact that they left Steinbeck off the Guardian list is criminal.
is he off it entirely? unacceptable!!!
Yes!! Unbelievable snub, even for a British publication.
easily the worst and most unforgivable snub on the whole clickbaity list.
The Master and Margarita would be on my list, and the Brothers Karamazov. I love the Russians. Hard agree on Steinbeck, though Grapes of Wrath is my East of Eden. As for the Grauniad? 🙄
Yes, came her to mention Grape of Wrath, too! That ending will stay with me forever.
i just finished that one last month — i still haven’t recovered
i read what i later heard to be a bad translation of master and margarita, so i need to try it again!
Pevear and Volokhonsky by any chance? The Burgin / O'Connor is good, as is the Hugh Aplin. I just did a slow read on my channel and had a great time!
pevear and volokhonsky indeed! thank you - i need a take two with one of these translations!
I want to mention a book I cannot forget “The Idiot” by Elif Batuman. Her writing just connects with me.
NOOOO i cannot believe i didn’t include it! it’s on my list in spirit — what an oversight on my part
Homegoing was absolutely stunning to read!
Oh I'd also mention Stoner, I think!
stoner is a GREAT add to this list
conversations with friends remains Sally Rooney’s best book for a reason + i really wanna read east of eden after i read the pearl
yessss agreed! and i think you will love it
The God of Small Things - the themes! The structure! The way it changed how I think about what a story is and can do! But most of all, the writing! It’s been more than 20 years since I first read it and there are still passages and turns of phrase that live in my brain and inform how I see the world
this one is so high on my to read list! i’m so happy to hear that
Saving this!
woo!
Great list 🙌🏽
thank you!
My brilliant friend would be among the chosen for me!
great choice!!
so many good ones!! and congrats on 20k, can’t think of anyone who deserves it more 🫶🏼 (also my toxic trait is that i can’t help but like mr rochester, even though he is awful)
thank you!!! aw even our toxic traits are shared
Jesmyn Ward would have to be on my list, probably for Sing, Unburied, Sing. Pachinko is another great one I saw mentioned! And I whole-heartedly agree with the amount of Toni Morrison on this list. Congrats on 20k!!
thank you!!! pachinko and jesmyn ward would be great additions
The Guardian list has been entertaining me because everyone is mad, literally everyone! But I did like that in the bottom half we see some novels that aren’t usually on these lists. It wasn’t boring that’s for sure!
i totally agree! i pride myself on not being as susceptible to ragebait / resisting being mad at the thing everyone is mad about…but i get it with this one. still, it was a surprising list, which they rarely are!
Great list, thank you! I went to add a few to my tbr on Goodreads and saw that you gave some of them 4 stars. I’m curious if that’s because you liked them more in retrospect or because you think they’re flawed but still exceptional?
thank you! and thanks for letting me know — all of the 20 best should be five stars (the honorable mentions no) so let me make sure they’re all rated correctly. goodreads stays giving me issues
It was Giovanni’s Room and one other but I forget which!
let me fact check myself!
I’m in the middle of East of Eden right now and loving it.
it’s unreal. happy reading!
i also feel like pachinko could make my list along with others i’m sure im not thinking of. i’m sure if i look at guardians list it’ll make me mad lol congrats on 20k!
it’s infuriating. thank you! pachinko is a good one
I really do think Conversations with Friends could stand the test of time.
i couldn’t agree more