When it comes to the world of literature, everyone has their own tastes, ranging from immersive fantasy and edge-of-the-seat thrillers to relaxing mysteries or heartfelt romances. Nonetheless, the charm of classic novels remains unparalleled for many.
Considered the crème de la crème within their literary categories, these canonical works have stood the test of time, captivating readers from one era to the next. Yet, ploughing through their dense prose and lengthy chapters can be a little daunting. Whether you are dipping your toes into the ocean of ageless narratives or searching for another gem to add to your bookshelf, this ranking of the most acclaimed classics might lead you to your next favourite read.
This list, compiled by The Greatest Books, amalgamates 609 ‘best of’ lists into a singular, ultimate ranking.
At the top of the list is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Set amid the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, specifically in the heated summer of 1922, it delves into the mysterious existence of the affluent young Jay Gatsby and his obsession with a woman who chose another.
Praised as a “masterpiece” and one of the greatest novels ever written, this 1925 novel acts as a solemn commentary on the American Dream. Its most recent big screen adaptation, directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan, was released to much acclaim in 2013.
Ulysses by James Joyce, which is set against the backdrop of Dublin, clinches the second position on the list of all-time greatest classics. The narrative unfolds over a single day in the life of an advertisement salesman as he traverses the city.
Its complex structure and stream-of-consciousness technique render it a demanding yet gratifying read.
Other noteworthy entries include The Catcher in the Rye and Nineteen Eighty Four, as well as Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel, Lolita.
The Lord of the Rings, a 1954 high-fantasy epic centred around a hobbit entrusted with the mission to destroy a powerful ring, also secures a spot on the list.
The best classic novels of all time
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Ulysses by James Joyce
- In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
- The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkein
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Just shy of making it into the top 10 are Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights also feature on the list.
The complete list can be found on The Greatest Books. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, you can also click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.