In history, women have often been overlooked and underappreciated for their work, and notably for their writing. However, women have been responsibile for some of the most influential books of our time. This list includes many of the classics and should be added to your reading list if you haven’t read them already.
Here are the greatest books – written by women – of all time as ranked by website, The Greatest Books of All Time.
10. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, follows the lives of sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they navigate adolescence in 19th century New England, US. The book deals with themes of poverty, gender roles, love, and personal identity, and each sister faces these in their own unique way. The story stands up to the power of family, sisterhood and female resilience in a time of much societal constraint.
9. Beloved by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s novel tells the story of a former African-American slave woman, who begins to experience being haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. It’s an important investigation of the physical and psychological scars that have been inflicted by the institution of slavery as well as a journey of self-discovery.
8. Frankenstein by Mary Shalley
One of the most overlooked authors in the list, Mary Shelley is responisble for writing the first-ever science fiction story. The iconic work was inspired by debates on life and electricity. It asks questions we still need answers to today. It’s a classic novel that follows a young scientist who creates a grotesque creature in an experiment.
7. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
This book is essentially a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway. She’s a high society woman in post-World War 1 England who happens to be preparing for a party she is hosting that evening. As the narrative jumps back and forth in time, characters from her past come to the surface and some revelations are revealed.
6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë’s novel follows the story of Jane Eyre, who is an orphan suffering from mistreatment by her relatives. As she grows up, she becomes a governess and falls for the mysterious Mr. Rochester. But a dark secret from his past threatens to ruin their future together. It’s a poignant exploration of a woman’s struggle for independence.
5. Middlemarch by George Eliot
Another 19th century novel, Middlemarch details on the complexity of relationships in society. It follows Dorothea Brooke and Tertius Lydgate as they struggle to navigate desire, societal expectations and morality. The novel reflects on themes of marriage, ambition and reform.
4. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
This novel is set on Scotland’s Isle of Skye and is a pioneering work of modernist literature. It follows the Ramsay family and their experiences at their summer home. The book is widely known for its stream of consciousness narrative technique and it delves deep into topics such as time, art and the female experience.
3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This is a classic tale of love and revenge, mixed in with social standing. The main sotryline is centred around the relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by her father. Despite their palpable connection, Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton, who is of higher social standing and wealth, and the fallout of this unravels throughout the book.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Everyone should read this book once in their life, it follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the predjudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man whois falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story’s themes include morality and innocence through a young lens.
1. Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen
This classic novel revolves around the lives of the five unmarried daughters of the Bennet family. It explores themes of coming of age, morality and 19th century society. The novel’s main storyline follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter, who is intelligent and vibrant, and her rocky relationship with the proud and wealthy Mr. Darcy and their romantic entanglements.