Stephen King has listed his favourite books of all time (Image: Getty)
Stephen King, the undisputed master of horror and suspense, has a literary appetite that reaches far beyond the confines of his own spine-chilling genre. In a rare glimpse into his personal tastes, King shared his top 10 favourite books during Goodreads’ 10th-anniversary celebrations in 2017, showcasing an eclectic mix of timeless classics and hidden gems that have fuelled his creative fires.
However, King was quick to highlight the subjective nature of such lists, admitting the challenge with a candid disclaimer: “On another day, ten different titles might come to mind, like The Exorcist, or All the Pretty Horses in place of Blood Meridian.”
He further mused about the variability of his preferences, saying, “On another day I’d be sure to include Light in August or Scott Smith’s superb A Simple Plan. The Sea, the Sea, by Iris Murdoch. But what the hell, I stand by these”, showing his commitment to his choices despite acknowledging their fluidity.
Delving into Stephen King’s (then) favourites, we find J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings at the forefront.
This epic fantasy trilogy is a colossal feat of imagination, expertly blending myth, history, and adventure to create a world that has captivated readers for decades. Initially overlooked by major literary awards, its profound impact on the fantasy genre is undeniable, earning it widespread acclaim and serving as a source of inspiration for countless readers and filmmakers around the world.
Philip Roth’s American Pastoral, crowned with the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, masterfully narrates the unraveling of Seymour “Swede” Levov’s seemingly perfect life as his daughter gets entangled in extremist politics. The novel stands as a profound exploration of family dynamics, identity crises, and the illusionary nature of the American dream, solidifying Roth’s status as a preeminent novelist in American literature.
George Orwell’s 1984 presents a haunting vision of a society suffocated by totalitarianism and pervasive surveillance, despite having been published back in 1949. While it didn’t scoop accolades upon its release, the novel’s prescient portrayal of a liberty-bereft world grants it an enduring place as one of the 20th century’s most pivotal works.
Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian offers a harrowing journey through the American West, steeped in unapologetic violence. The work went unnoticed in terms of major literary awards at its inception but has since risen to prominence as a modern classic.
With an uncanny blend of haunting prose and philosophical depth, McCarthy’s book garners universal praise for its raw examination of human barbarity.
Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man broke new ground with its compelling insight into the African American quest for identity and acknowledgment, earning the National Book Award in 1953. Ellison’s incisive commentary on race relations, authority, and the feeling of invisibility retains its poignancy and relevance, continuing to resonate within the canon of American literature.
The semi-autobiographical novel, The Hair of Harold Roux, which bagged the National Book Award in 1975, is a profound contemplation on the art of writing and the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality. It narrates the tale of an author delving into his past while penning a novel, and is acclaimed for its exploration of memory, creativity, and the intricacies of storytelling.
The Orphan Master’s Son, the gripping novel that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, takes readers into the clandestine world of North Korea. It follows Pak Jun Do, a man navigating the harshness of the regime whilst grappling with his own identity.
Combining elements of political thriller and dark satire, Adam Johnson’s novel is both distressing and deeply moving, providing a rare insight into life under dictatorship.
In third place, King lists Watership Down, a tale of survival and adventure following a group of rabbits as they escape their warren in search of a safe new home. Despite being about rabbits, the novel is an epic exploration of leadership, freedom, and resilience.
It won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and continues to enthrall readers of all ages with its blend of mythology and political allegory.
Ship of Fools, set on a German-bound passenger ship in the late 1930s, is a biting social critique of the political tensions and prejudices of the era. In her second-place novel, Porter skilfully intertwines the narratives of her characters, creating a microcosm of societal flaws.
Despite not winning major literary awards, the book was a commercial hit and continues to be a significant piece in American literature.
The top spot goes to this iconic novel, which narrates the tale of a group of British boys marooned on an uninhabited island who try to establish their own society, only to descend into savagery and disorder. Lord of the Flies is a grim examination of human nature and the fragile facade of civilisation.
Widely studied in schools, the novel earned William Golding the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1983 for his body of work, with this book being his most renowned and lasting accomplishment.