With books, you’ve got a vast history to go over, more so than with other mediums, and that can lead to more controversy when you try to single out what some of the greatest of all time are. So, there is some caution needed for an undertaking like this, and some need to explain what “most universally acclaimed” means.
Older books are at an advantage, because they’ve had more time to build in acclaim, or if they weren’t loved upon release, then they’ve also had time to find acclaim. If something’s older, you can see its influence, and if something holds up many years later, then it’s also more worthy of acclaim. If books have won awards, that helps, and if books are often taught in school or university courses, that can also be a factor. There are other factors involved in picking the most universally acclaimed books of all time, but please rest assured there was at least some method to the following madness.
20
‘Little Women’ (1868–1869)
Image via Simon & Schuster
A coming-of-age novel, for the most part, but also something of a family drama, since Little Women does focus on a family, but mostly on four sisters. They’re all growing up and everything, in the 1860s, and so there you’ve got all the coming-of-age stuff, obviously. Good, bad, and other things happen, and all in ways that have clearly struck a chord for a great many people for more than a century and a half, at this point.
With particularly old books, it can be a little harder to assess the extent to which something was critically acclaimed in its time, but if there is even some evidence of it being well-received back in the day, and then it continues to get read and adapted/reimagined time and again, that’s probably a sign it’s universally loved. So, on those notes, it feels right to put Little Women here for sure.
19
‘The Great Gatsby’ (1925)
Image via Scribner
The Great Gatsby is another older novel with the sort of reputation that makes it an obligatory pick, pretty much, for present purposes. It’s the definite novel about the 1920s in America, written and published during the decade in question, and though this might sound like a bit of a weird comparison, it does for that decade what Scarface did for the 1980s: being of the decade, but then in hindsight, kind of what people picture when they think about said decade.
Also, for what it’s worth, both that 1983 movie and The Great Gatsby are in-your-face tragedies, and not all that hard to interpret. One is read in high school quite often, as a result, and the other… well, probably isn’t appropriate for high school viewing, even though teenagers typically love it. Anyway, The Great Gatsby. It is a classic, and one of a bunch of books here that are being highlighted partly because they’re Great American Novel candidates.
18
‘The Catcher in the Rye’ (1951)
Image via Little, Brown and Company
Things will move away from American authors in a bit, but for now, here’s another Great American Novel contender: The Catcher in the Rye. This one came out in the middle of the 20th century and very much explored issues specifically of that time, but then The Catcher in the Rye kept enduring, and it turned out much of what it had to say about alienation, internal struggles, and youthful rebellion kept feeling relevant.
There are enough worms in the small can that’s already been opened, but if you want to talk about the negative effects (or influences) of The Catcher in the Rye, that’s indeed another can, and a bigger one with a lot more worms. It’s got some notoriety to it, but it is also a great book regardless, and if you want to argue its merits are reduced because of the bad influence it’s had, then sure, you can make that argument. You’ll have a lot of worms all over you while you’re doing that since you’ll have to open that massive can of them but knock yourself out.
17
‘Dune’ (1965)
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A coming-of-age novel focused on four sisters growing up during the Civil War era. The novel’s enduring themes resonate with readers across generations. Its critical acclaim is evidenced by its continued relevance today.
This classic work remains significant due to its exploration of family dynamics amidst societal changes. It has earned its place among universally acclaimed literature.
19 ‘The Great Gatsby’ (1925)
A defining novel about America in the Roaring Twenties. Its exploration of wealth and social dynamics remains relevant today.
18 ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ (1951)
This novel explores themes of alienation and rebellion among youth. Its impact on literature is profound.
17 ‘Dune’ (1965)
A landmark science fiction novel addressing themes of power and ecology. Its influence on modern sci-fi is undeniable.
16 ‘Beloved’ (1987)
This powerful narrative addresses themes of trauma and memory post-Civil War America. Its critical acclaim highlights its importance in American literature.
15 ‘Infinite Jest'(1996)
This complex narrative tackles addiction and entertainment culture through innovative storytelling techniques. Its impact on contemporary literature is significant.
14 ‘Moby-Dick'(1851)
This epic tale explores revenge against nature through rich symbolism. Its status as a classic has endured through generations.
13 ‘‘Watchmen'(1986–1987)
This graphic novel redefined superhero narratives through mature themes. Its literary merit has garnered widespread recognition.
12 ‘‘Frankenstein'(1818)
This foundational work explores creation and responsibility within humanity’s reach. Its influence on horror literature is profound.
11 ‘‘The Grapes of Wrath'(1939)
This poignant narrative captures the struggles during the Great Depression through a family’s journey. Its social commentary remains relevant today.
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