The 100 Best Novels Written in English

A curated list of the 100 greatest novels written in English, compiled by Robert McCrum. This list spans centuries and includes iconic works that have shaped literature.

Cover of The Rainbow

The Rainbow

4.6

Explore the intricate tapestry of love, conflict, and the emergence of modern England through the lens of the Brangwen family across three g…

Cover of Ulysses

Ulysses

3.8

Dive into the stream of consciousness of Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's modernist masterpiece, Ulysses, a rich tapestry of a single day in D…

Cover of Babbitt

Babbitt

3.8

George F. Babbitt's life as a middle-class real estate agent in Zenith is a scathing critique of early 20th-century American society, exposi…

Cover of Mrs Dalloway

Mrs Dalloway

4.4

Experience the timeless elegance of Virginia Woolf's masterpiece as Mrs Dalloway's preparations for a party unravel her past and present in …

Cover of Nineteen Nineteen

Nineteen Nineteen

4.2

Dive into the vibrant and chaotic world of 1920s America through the lives of dozens of characters, from the Spanish-American War to the bri…

Cover of Scoop

Scoop

4.2

William Boot, a nature writer, is mistaken for a famous novelist and sent to cover a war in Ishmaelia, where he accidentally becomes a star …

Cover of Party Going

Party Going

3.8

A group of wealthy young people find themselves stranded in a train station, leading to a series of unexpected encounters and revelations.

Cover of At Swim-Two-Birds

At Swim-Two-Birds

4.2

A hilarious and chaotic novel about an undergraduate in Dublin who invents absurd stories, including one where women can give birth to full-…

Cover of Under the Volcano

Under the Volcano

4.4

In the shadow of a Mexican volcano, a British consul's life spirals out of control on the Day of the Dead, as his wife arrives to save him a…

Cover of Voss

Voss

4.1

In 19th-century Australia, an explorer and a young woman share an intense, obsessive love that transcends distance and hardship, blurring th…

Cover of Rabbit Redux

Rabbit Redux

4.2

In 1969 America, Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom's life takes a chaotic turn when his wife leaves and he finds himself entangled with a runaway and …

Cover of A Bend in the River

A Bend in the River

4.0

V.S. Naipaul's vivid exploration of post-colonial Africa at the time of Independence, as seen through the eyes of a man building a new life …

The 100 Best Novels Written in English is a comprehensive list compiled by Robert McCrum, featuring the most influential and celebrated novels in the English language. After two years of careful consideration, McCrum selected these works based on their literary merit, cultural impact, and enduring relevance. The list includes classics from various genres and time periods, from John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim’s Progress' to Peter Carey's 'True History of the Kelly Gang'. Each novel on this list has made a significant contribution to literature, offering unique insights into the human condition and the societies in which they were written. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich tapestry of English literature and its evolution over the centuries.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/17/the-100-best-novels-written-in-english-the-full-list