Writers of classics of foreign literature. Foreign classics: the best works
Tested by time and more than one generation of readers. Most of the novels from the selection below are included in the “top 100” world bestsellers. So choose the book you like based on the description and enjoy.
"Jane Eyre", Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë's novel is well known to many: it has been republished and filmed more than once. This book is a classic foreign literature at its best.
The world appears before the readers through the eyes of Jane Eyre - the modest English girl, who lost her parents early and was forced to live in her aunt’s house and endure beatings and injustice. Enrolling in Lowood School for Girls only seems to be at first glance. the best option: living conditions are even worse than in the house of the “benefactress,” but here Jane makes friends for the first time, and subsequently a job, thanks to which she meets the love of her life. However, on the way to the desired happiness, Jane will have to shed a lot of tears, learn to say goodbye and forgive.
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
A story of love, passion and hatred - this is how you can briefly describe it famous book Emily Bronte, who still excites the hearts of readers. What is so attractive about her? Foreign classics They know how to cleverly twist the plot and keep the reader in suspense until the very end of the story.
One day a new guest arrives at Wuthering Heights. Instead of a hospitable host and a cozy home, something else awaits Mr. Lockwood: a rude landlord, his sullen relatives and a general feeling of gloom and neglect of the estate. After befriending an old maid, Lockwood discovers the story of Wuthering Heights - a story of destructive love, passion and hatred that spans decades.
"Notre-Dame de Paris", Victor Hugo
Do you like the way French (foreign) classics are written? Then be sure to read one of the best novels by Victor Hugo.
The author tells a tragic and wonderful story the love of several young people for one girl. The heroes experience not a timid, tender feeling, but a love that leads to sin and overshadows common sense. But who will the beautiful Esmeralda choose? The one who is ugly in appearance, but beautiful in soul and ready to protect his beloved, no matter what? Or will he give preference to a sweet-tongued handsome man who sees only a toy in a girl?
"Sister Carrie" by Theodore Dreiser
Why are foreign classics still interesting? Probably because the stories that live on the pages of written books are no less relevant than at the time the works were published.
Eighteen-year-old Kerry Meeber is hoping for better life moves from a small town to Chicago. But the girl’s hopes are not justified: neither her relatives nor the city are happy about her arrival. Only a casual acquaintance of Drouet shows interest in her, and he introduces the pretty Kerry to the bar manager, George Hurstwood. The ensuing relationship with George, which at first seemed like luck, brings the girl to New York, where she finally finds her calling on the theater stage.
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell
This novel is deservedly included in the selection of “foreign classics, the best.” The plot may not be new, but it is interesting to read, and many situations seem real.
Molly Gibson has been in love with Roger Hamley since childhood. But she is only the daughter of a simple doctor, and he is the heir of a noble and rich family, so there can be no talk of any feelings. Moreover, it turns out that Roger is not indifferent to the girl - the temperamental Cynthia, and she seems to reciprocate his feelings. However, it soon becomes clear that Cynthia has her own secrets, and she only needs Roger to gain freedom from her past. However, despite love triangle, everyone eventually finds their happiness.
The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens
If you like foreign classics and prefer books with a happy ending, then pay attention to this story.
The plot centers on the life of Oliver Twist, a boy who finds himself in an orphanage after the death of his mother. Due to a minor offense, the child is given as an apprentice to an undertaker, but, unable to withstand the mistreatment, Oliver escapes from the office and heads to London. The boy's misadventures do not end there: he manages to get into a gang of pickpockets. And only a meeting with Mr. Brownlow promises to put an end to the dark streak in the life of the unlucky thief.
"Red and Black", Stendhal
The book is considered the pearl of the work of Stendhal - the master psychological novel. The basis for writing the work was real events.
Julien Sorel is ambitious, reasonable, and ready to go over his head to achieve his goals. When the vacancy of a tutor in the mayor's house became available, the young man did not think long and easily got the vacant position. Just as easily, Julien won the heart of Madame de Renal, the wife of his employer. But due to rumors spreading throughout the city, the young man has to leave. However, fate is favorable to him, and Sorel receives the position of secretary of the Marquis de La Mole in Paris. Smart and ambitious, he attracts the attention of the marquis’s daughter and, although he does not have reciprocal feelings for the girl, begins a relationship with her and makes plans for the future. However, everything is spoiled by an unexpected letter from his former mistress: the young man is deprived of his position and bright prospects and, inspired by a thirst for revenge, decides to kill Madame de Renal.
"Tender is the Night" Fitzgerald
The works of foreign classics, and not only foreign ones, often evoke mixed impressions after reading. “Tender is the Night” was no exception: a bright premise, interesting development plot and an ending that leaves a bitter aftertaste. What is this: a love story or moral degradation, a happy ending or a meaningful ellipsis? Everyone decides for themselves after reading.
A young psychiatrist, Dick Diver, falls in love with a patient and marries her. The couple lives in own home on the banks of the Riviera, leading a rather secluded lifestyle, occasionally having get-togethers with friends. Everything changes when Rosemary arrives on the coast. The eighteen-year-old actress is strikingly different from Nicole, and Dick falls in love with her. However, the romance did not last long - the beauty leaves and appears in the psychiatrist’s life only four years later, still just as beautiful and brilliant. The romance flares up again and fades away just as quickly, and after it Dick’s career begins to fade. However, the hero meets his beloved again after a while. What awaits Dick now, and will he finally be able to decide on his desires and find happiness?
"Dangerous Liaisons" by Choderlos de Laclos
If you are interested in foreign novels (classics), then pay attention to this book. This is a novel in letters, but although it is easy to read, the language and style are beyond praise. A special intrigue lies in the fact that the author assures of the authenticity of all correspondence, only slightly corrected by the editor.
The plot is simple and predictable in places, but events develop rapidly, passions heat up, and even though the reader does not know what the characters look like, this does not in the least interfere with the perception of the picture as a whole.
Madame de Volanges takes her daughter Cecile from the convent and plans to marry the girl to the Comte de Jarcourt. The Marquise de Merteuil learns about the upcoming wedding and, wanting revenge ex-lover, persuades his friend Viscount de Valmont to seduce an innocent girl.
"The Catcher in the Rye", Jerome Salinger
Considered a cult novel by Jerome Salinger, it still evokes conflicting emotions among readers: some consider it a masterpiece and cannot imagine the best books of foreign classics without this work, others sincerely try to understand what is special about the author and why everyone likes it so much.
The main character is sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield, who is being treated in a clinic. Him difficult relationship he doesn’t get along well with his peers, with girls, and the only person he can trust is younger sister Phoebe. Everyone else seems too overacting or off-putting to him. Holden is trying to find his place in life, but there comes a time when the teenager's only desire is to escape from everything.
The book is quite interesting psychologically, if you don’t expect adventures or the hero’s attempt to change the world or at least himself.
When a person hears the term “foreign classics,” pictures of balls, duels, etc. appear in his head. Often, famous British writers are remembered, who contributed to the creation of such a romantic image. By at least, similar associations arise in girls’ heads.
First, you need to understand what is meant by the concept of “foreign classics”. We are talking about those works, mainly European literature, which are considered the standard literary creativity for a particular era. In turn, the authors who created such masterpieces are perceived as classics, masters of words. Every historical period famous for its writers, who were the best at that time, so even modern generation There are exemplary authors who clearly demonstrate the features of a certain historical period.
Whether a book is a representative of a foreign classic is influenced by many factors, including the level of popularity, information load, emotional content, compliance with a particular genre, and so on. Such books, as a rule, do not go unnoticed, so many connoisseurs of quality literature pay attention to them, and the author who gave the world such an incredible work goes down in history and acquires the status of one of the most talented writers.
The first creations of this kind appeared back in ancient times, and many have probably heard about them. Some remember it from their school days, while others decided as adults to get acquainted with the masterpieces of foreign classics and enjoy their depth. In any case, today it is difficult to find at least one person who was left indifferent by such works. This is the secret of the “durability” of literary creations, because they are not only interesting, but also leave a certain mark on the soul of every reader.
It is worth noting that there are entire series worthy of attention, and you can familiarize yourself with them on the website portal, which allows all connoisseurs of quality literature to read online for free and without registration or download famous books in epub formats, fb2, pdf, rtf, txt. Thanks to the existence of the site, there is no need to run to the bookstore and buy foreign classics; you can quickly and easily download or open the file and enjoy amazing stories, created by the masters of the literary world.
The section contains 715 audiobooks
"Romeo and Juliet" is classic story tragic love, which is one of the central dramatic works European culture. This play came from the pen of Shakespeare in late XVI century, and soon became one of the most widely circulated works. The plot of two star-crossed lovers who are not destined to be together has served as a source of inspiration for books, operas, ballets, musicals and...
It is impossible to imagine drama without Shakespeare, the English writer who brought so much to this direction of literature. In turn, Shakespeare’s work is unimaginable without the tragedy “Hamlet,” perhaps his most famous work. "The Tragic History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" was written in early XVII centuries and has not left the stage since then. Greatest Actors tried to play...
"One for all and all for one!" Each of us is familiar with this motto. And it’s hard to imagine a person who hasn’t at least once watched the film “The Three Musketeers” with Mikhail Boyarsky in the title role (in fact, in the world on this moment More than 100 film adaptations of the novel have been released). However, not everyone read the original book, written by Alexandre Dumas in the mid-19th century, but now you have the opportunity to listen...
The most filmed novel by the English writer Jane Austen can now be listened to online. “Pride and Prejudice” immerses us in the world of the English village at the end of the century before last. Manners and traditions rule the show here, and the only path to self-realization for a woman is a successful marriage. For the Bennett family, marriage is more than actual topic, because they have five daughters growing up. At the center of the story...
You can listen to the classic adventure novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas online on our website. This novel is one of the most popular books in French literature, besides, it inspired many movies and even several musicals. The universal love for this work is quite understandable. The plot of the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” is so tightly twisted that it doesn’t let go until the last...
It is impossible to imagine French drama without famous comedies the great Moliere. He wrote his plays during the Great Age French culture during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The monarch even honored with his presence some of the premieres of Moliere, for example, the comedy-ballet “The Bourgeois in the Nobility.” Note that in that premiere show the playwright performed it himself main role, Mr. Jourdain. God...
\"Life on Loans\" is one of the most poignant novels German writer Erich Maria Remarque. It was published in 1959 and deeply impressed readers with its frankness and swiftness. At the center of the story is a strange pair of desperate people. She is dying of tuberculosis and counting her remaining days. He recklessly races in a racing car along the most dangerous tracks, with no hope of steering to a sharp turn...
If you think that ancient literature- this is something dull and uninteresting, then we suggest you listen online to one of ancient monuments literature, the Iliad. The creation of the Iliad is attributed to Homer; it is believed that it was created on the basis of tales and legends of an even earlier time. The plot of The Iliad contains all the elements of a popular story: love, kidnapping, battles, revenge and despair. Kr...
One of the greatest works of the Middle Ages can be listened to online in a convenient audio format - “ The Divine Comedy» is now on our website. This monumental poem was written in the 14th century by the incomparable Dante Alighieri and is considered one of the most significant works in the Italian language. Don’t let the word “comedy” confuse you, because according to the medieval classification, that’s what all literary works were called...
English literature mid-19th century gave the world a number of brilliant women writers, and Charlotte Bronte is rightfully considered one of the brightest. Her most famous novel is Jane Eyre, a book about a strong and determined woman. The fate of Jane Eyre, which is described in the work, is complex and tragic in many ways, but the strength of character of the main character allows her to overcome everything on the way to her...
The well-known story about a man who was shipwrecked and stuck alone on an island far from the continents is now on our website! This wonderful book by Daniel Dafoe is the diary of a young man with a penchant for long-distance travel. Contrary to the words of his parents, who have prepared a successful career for their son in York, Robinson goes to sea and ends up...
What is the meaning of life when the world around you is collapsing? Is there any reason to continue to exist when it brings only pain, loss and misfortune? What does it mean to be a good man in a world that has gone bad? Writers of the lost generation are trying to find answers to these questions, one of the most prominent representatives which is the German novelist Erich Maria Remarque. These questions are extremely pressing...
The story of Faust, a man who sells his soul to the devil, is traditional in European art. But, despite the abundance of versions, the tragedy written by Johann Wolfgang Goethe is a true masterpiece of world literature. Faust is a doctor, his medicines save lives, but he himself is dissatisfied with life. He despises everything and everyone, he is filled with pride and anger. One day a certain Mephistoph appears to him...
“Where are you going, Odysseus, from your wife, from your children?” Many people know this line from the song, but not many know where Odysseus really went and how he returned to his wife. You can find out by starting to listen online poem"Odyssey". It is believed that it was written by the ancient Greek poet Homer, although it is not known for certain who its author is or even whether it was created in writing or orally. The plot of the epic...
In the center American dream stands a self-made man who, through hard work and self-belief, achieves success, regardless of the circumstances. The novel “Martin Eden,” which Jack London published in 1909, tells the story of just such a man. The title character comes from a poor family, with youth he worked as a sailor on a ship and managed to be in various troubles, he is strong and...
It is unlikely that one can find a more sparkling writer in world literature than Oscar Wilde. This English prose writer of the early twentieth century became famous not only for his brilliant works, but also for his ability to subtly look through the vices of society and notice them in the most amusing form. Many of his works were scattered into aphorisms, for example, “We cannot stand people with the same shortcomings as ours.” This is a quote...
\"Three Comrades\" - one of the most readable novels German writer Erich Maria Remarque and one of the most striking works about the "lost generation". The main characters of the book are three friends who, as young men, went through the horrors of the First World War. Now they are about thirty years old, they lead a peaceful life and work in a car repair shop, but their military past haunts them in nightmares. The central plot...
Some may not like feminists, but it is difficult to disagree with the fact that thanks to their movement, most women now have the opportunity to realize themselves in life not only in a successful marriage. At the beginning of the 19th century, if you were the orphaned daughter of a drunken artist and dancer, you had virtually no chance of a normal position in society. However, Rebecca Sharp, main character novel "Fair...
The novel “The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha” was written by Cervantes back in 1605, but is still one of the most popular works in the world. It has been translated into many languages, and in 2002 it was even recognized best novel in history. Indeed, many are familiar with such names as Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Dulcinea and Rocinante and, for example, the episode with the mills, but few can boast...
After reading the novel "Notre Dame de Paris", it becomes clear that no one can compare with Victor Hugo in the skill of describing medieval France. He managed not only to captivate readers with his fascinating style and dramatic, vibrant plot, but also to realize a noble intention: the preservation of Gothic culture in its original form. Victor Hugo was inspired to create the novel...
If you want to listen online English literature , then our site is ready to offer you huge selection. First of all, it is necessary to name such a master of British literature as Charles Dickens. Listen to novels like A Tale of Two Cities or Great Expectations to enjoy the monumentality and emotion of a true classic. If you are interested in unraveling the secret of the famous English humor, then we suggest you pay attention to “” by Jerome K. Jerome.
Listen online French books They will prefer sensual and romantic natures. Tragic stories love, for example, "" by Stendhal or "Manon Lescaut" by Antoine-François Prevost will definitely stir your blood. If you prefer adventures of a different kind, then at your disposal are the magnificent classic books “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”.
Getting to know American literature you can start with the stories of the famous representative of the Gothic and the creator of the detective genre. His audiobooks in good quality will make your blood freeze in your veins. An equally dramatic, but much more realistic direction is represented by Theodore Dreiser and his “The Financier,” which shows the underside of a prosperous American society.
The literature of whatever country or whatever era appeals to you, in our library you can listen to classical foreign literature online for free and without registration, when it is convenient for you. This section is constantly updated with pearls of foreign prose, so we encourage you to stay tuned for updates.
Books are one of the greatest legacies humanity. And if before the invention of printing, books were available only to a select caste of people, then books began to spread everywhere. Each new generation gave birth to talented writers who created world masterpieces of literature.
Great works have reached us, but we are reading the classics less and less. The literary portal Buklya presents to your attention 100 best books of all times and peoples, which is a must read. In this list you will find not only classical works, but also modern books that have left their mark on history quite recently.
1 Mikhail Bulgakov
A novel that does not fit into the usual literary framework. This story mixes philosophy and everyday life, theology and fantasy, mysticism and realism, mysticism and lyricism. And all these components are intertwined with skillful hands into a solid and bright story, which can turn your world upside down. And yes, this is Bookly’s favorite book!
2
Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
Book from school curriculum, which is difficult to understand in the tender teenage years. The writer showed duality human soul when black intertwines with white. The story is about Raskolnikov, who is going through an internal struggle.
3
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A small story that contains a huge life meaning. A story that makes you look at familiar things differently.
4
Michael Bulgakov
A surprisingly subtle and sarcastic story about people and their vices. The story is about an experiment that proved that you can make a human out of an animal, but you cannot take an “animal” out of a human.
5
Erich Maria Remarque
It is impossible to tell what this novel is about. You need to read the novel, and then you will understand that this is not just a story, but a confession. Confession about love, friendship, pain. A story of despair and struggle.
6
Jerome Salinger
The story of a teenager who shows with his own eyes his perception of the world, his point of view, his renunciation of the usual principles and principles of morality of society that do not fit into his individual framework.
7
Mikhail Lermontov
A lyrical and psychological novel that tells the story of a man with a complex character. The author shows it with different sides. And the disrupted chronology of events makes you completely immerse yourself in the narrative.
8
Arthur Conan Doyle
The legendary investigations of the great detective Sherlock, which reveal the meanness of the human soul. Stories told by friend and assistant detective Dr. Watson.
9
Oscar Wilde
A story about pride, selfishness and a strong soul. A story that clearly shows what can happen to a person’s soul tormented by vices.
10
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
A fantastic trilogy about people and non-humans who fell under the power of the One Ring and its lord Sauron. The story is about those who are ready to sacrifice the most precious things and even their lives for the sake of friendship and saving the world.
11
Mario Puzo
A novel about one of the most powerful mafia families in America of the last century - the Corleone family. Many people know the film, so it’s time to start reading.
12
Erich Maria Remarque
After the First World War, many emigrants ended up in France. Among them is the talented German surgeon Ravik. This is the story of his life and love against the backdrop of the war he experienced.
13
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
The story of the Russian soul and stupidity. And the author’s amazing style and language makes the sentences sparkle with colors and shades that fully reveal the history of our people.
14
Colin McCullough
A stunning novel that tells not only about the love of a man and a woman and complex relationships, but also about feelings for family, native places and nature.
15
Emily Brontë
A family lives on a secluded estate and there is a tense atmosphere in their home. Difficult relationships have deep roots that are hidden in the past. The story of Heathcliff and Catherine will not leave any reader indifferent.
16
Erich Maria Remarque
A book about the war from the perspective of a simple soldier. The book is about how war breaks and cripples the souls of innocent people.
17
Hermann Hesse
The book simply turns all ideas about life upside down. After reading it, it is no longer possible to get rid of the feeling that you are one step closer to something incredible. This book has answers to many questions.
18
Stephen King
Paul Edgecombe former employee prison, which served in the block for death row prisoners. It tells the life story of suicide bombers who were destined to walk the Green Mile.
20
Victor Hugo
Paris 15th century. On one side it is full of grandeur, and on the other it looks like a sewer. On the background historical events A love story unfolds between Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
21
Daniel Defoe
The diary of a sailor who was shipwrecked and lived alone on an island for 28 years. He had to go through too many trials.
22
Lewis Carroll
Strange and misterious story about a girl who, in pursuit of a white rabbit, finds herself in a different and wonderful world.
23
Ernest Hemingway
There is war on the pages of the book, but even in a world full of pain and fear, there is a place for beauty. To a wonderful feeling called love, which makes us stronger.
24
Jack London
What can love do? Martin's love for the beautiful Ruth made him struggle. He overcame many obstacles to become something great. A story about spiritual development and personality development.
25
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic and fascinating fairy tale in which magic intertwines with reality.
26
We are Evgeny Zamyatin
The novel is a dystopia, which describes an ideal society where there is no personal opinion, and everything happens according to schedule. But even in such a society there is a place for freethinkers.
27
Ernest Hemingway
Frederick volunteered to go to war, where he became a doctor. In the sanitary unit, where even the air is saturated with death, love is born.
28
Boris Pasternak
Beginning of the twentieth century. Russian empire has already embarked on the path of revolution. The story is about the life of the intelligentsia of that time, as well as the book raises questions of religion and touches on the mystery of life and death.
29
Vladimir Nabokov
A cautionary tale about people who betrayed their ideals. The book is about how bright and beautiful feelings evolve into something dark and disgusting.
30
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
The greatest work that draws you into the story of Faust, who sold his soul to the Devil. By reading this book you can walk the path of learning about life.
31
Dante Alighieri
The work consists of three parts. First we go to Hell to complete all 9 circles. Then Purgatory awaits us, through which we can atone for our sins. And only by reaching the top can you enter Paradise.
32
Anthony Burgess
Not the most pleasant story, but it shows human nature. A story about how you can make an obedient and silent doll out of any person.
33
Victor Pelevin
A complex story that is difficult to understand the first time. A story about the life of a decadent poet who is looking for his own path, and Chapaev leads Peter to enlightenment.
34
William Golding
What will happen to the children if they find themselves completely alone? Children have a delicate nature, which is quite susceptible to vices. And sweet, kind children turn into real monsters.
35
Albert Camus
36
James Clavell
The story of an English sailor who, by the will of fate, ended up in Japan. An epic novel with historical realities, intrigue, adventures and secrets.
37
Ray Bradbury
Collection fantasy stories, which tells about the life of people on Mars. They almost destroyed the Earth, but what awaits the other planet?
38
Stanislav Lem
There is an Ocean on this planet. He is alive and he has a mind. Researchers face the difficult task of transferring knowledge to the ocean. And he will help make their dreams come true...
39
Hermann Hesse
The book is about an internal crisis that can happen to anyone. Inner devastation can destroy a person if one day you don’t meet a person along the way who will give you just one book…
40
Milan Kundera
Plunge into the world of sensations and feelings of the libertine Tomas, who is used to changing women, so that no one dares to take away his freedom.
41
Boris Vian
Each of the group of friends has their own destiny. Everything goes easy and simple. Friendship. Love. Conversations. But one event can change everything and destroy your usual life.
42
Iain Banks
Frank tells the story of his childhood and describes the present. He has his own world, which can collapse at any moment. Unexpected turning points in the plot add a special flavor to the whole story.
43
John Irving
This book raises themes of family, childhood, friendship, love, betrayal and betrayal. This is the world we live in with all the problems and shortcomings.
44
Michael Ondaatje
This book contains many themes - war, death, love, betrayal. But the main leitmotif is loneliness, which can take on a variety of forms.
46
Ray Bradbury
Books are our future, but what will happen if they are replaced by TV and one opinion? The answer to this question is given by a writer who was ahead of his time.
47
Patrick Suskind
Story mad genius. His whole life is wrapped in smells. He will go to any lengths to create the perfect scent.
48
1984 George Orwell
Three totalitarian states, where even thoughts are controlled. The world is hateful, but there are people who can still resist the system.
49
Jack London
Alaska at the end of the 19th century. The era of the gold rush. And among human greed lives a wolf named White Fang.
50
Jane Austen
The Bennett family has only daughters, and the heir is distant relative. And once the head of the family dies, the young girls will be left with nothing.
51
Evgeny Petrov and Ilya Ilf
Who doesn’t know Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov and their eternal failures, which are associated with the search for ill-fated diamonds.
52
Fedor Dostoevsky
53
Charlotte Bronte
Jane became an orphan early, and life in her aunt's house was far from happy. And love for a strict and gloomy man is far from a romantic story.
54
Ernest Hemingway
A short story from my own life ordinary person. But reading this work, you penetrate into amazing world, which is full of emotions.
55
Francis Scott Fitzgerald
A magnificent novel that is filled with feelings. On the pages of the book awaits the beginning of the 20th century, when people were full of illusions and hopes. This story is about life values and true love.
56
Alexandr Duma
We are all familiar with the adventures of d'Artagnan and his closest friends. A book about friendship, honor, devotion, fidelity and love. And of course, like other works of the author, it was not without intrigue.
57
Ken Kesey
This story is told to the reader by a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Patrick McMurphy ends up in prison, in a psychiatric ward. But some people think that he is simply faking his illness.
59
Victor Hugo
The novel describes the life of an escaped convict who is hiding from the authorities. After escaping, he had to endure a lot of hardships, but he was able to change his life. But police inspector Javert is ready to do anything to catch the criminal.
60
Victor Hugo
The actor-philosopher met on his way a disfigured boy and a blind girl. He takes them under his wing. Against the background of physical defects, the perfection and purity of souls is clearly visible. It’s also a great contrast to the life of the aristocracy.
61
Vladimir Nabokov
The novel tightens its unhealthy web of passions and unhealthy love. The main characters gradually go crazy, controlled by their base desires, like all of them. the world. This book definitely won't have a happy ending.
62
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A fantastic story that describes the life of stalker Redrick Shewhart, who anomalous zones on Earth extracts extraterrestrial artifacts.
63
Richard Bach
Even a simple seagull can get tired of the drab life, and become bored with everyday life. And then Chaika devotes her life to her dream. The seagull gives his whole soul on the way to his cherished goal.
64
Bernard Werber
Michel ended up at the court of the archangels, where he will have to undergo the weighing of his soul. After the trial, he faces a choice - to go to earth in a new incarnation or become an angel. The path of an angel is not simple, just like the life of mere mortals.
65
Ethel Lilian Voynich
A story about freedom, duty and honor. And also about different types love. In the first case, it is the love of a father for his son, which has survived many trials and will pass through generations. In the second case, it is love between a man and a woman, which is like a fire, then goes out, then flares up again.
66
John Fowles
He is a simple town hall servant, lonely and lost. He has a passion - collecting butterflies. But one day he wanted to add to his collection a girl who captivated his soul.
67
Walter Scott
The narrative of the novel will take readers into the distant past. During the time of Richard the Lionheart and the first crusades. This is one of the first historical novels that everyone must read.
68
Bernhard Schlink
There are a lot of questions in the book that remain unanswered. The book makes you think and analyze not only what is happening on the pages, but also your life. This is a story about love and betrayal that will not leave anyone indifferent.
69
Ayn Rand
Socialists come to power and set a course for equal opportunities. The authorities believe that the talented and rich should improve the well-being of others. But instead of a happy future, the familiar world is plunging into chaos.
The story of an actress who has worked in the theater all her life. And what is reality for her: acting on stage or acting in life? How many roles do you have to play every day?
72
Aldous Huxley
Dystopian novel. Satire novel. A world where Henry Ford became a god, and the creation of the first Ford T car is considered the beginning of time. People are simply raised, but they don’t know anything about feelings.
75
Albert Camus
Meursault lives a detached life. It seems that his life does not belong to him at all. He is indifferent to everything and even his actions are saturated with loneliness and renunciation of life.
76
Somerset Maugham
Philip's life story. He is an orphan and throughout his life he not only searches for the meaning of life, but also for himself. And the main thing is to understand the world and people around us.
77
Irvine Welsh
The story of friends who one day discovered drugs and euphoria. Each character is unusual and quite smart. They valued life and friendship, but only until the moment when heroin came first.
78
Herman Melville
Ahab, the captain of a whaling ship, set the goal of his life to take revenge on a whale named Moby Dick. Wit ruin too many lives to let him live. But as soon as the captain starts hunting, mysterious and sometimes terrible events begin to happen on his ship.
79
Joseph Heller
One of the best books about World War II. In it, the author was able to show the senselessness of war and the monstrous absurdity of the state machine.
80
William Faulkner
Four characters, each telling their own version of events. And to understand what we are talking about, you need to read to the end, where the puzzles will fit into a single picture of life and secret desires.
82
Joanne Rowling
83
Roger Zelazny
A classic of the fantasy genre. The chronicles are divided into two volumes of 5 books. In this cycle you can find travel in space and time, wars, intrigue, betrayal, as well as loyalty and courage.
84
Andrzej Sapkowski
One of the best fantasy series. The series includes 8 books, with the last one being “Season of Thunderstorms”, which is best read after the first or second book. This is a story about the Witcher and his adventures, his life and love, and also about the girl Ciri, who can change the world.
85
Honore de Balzac
An amazing story about the boundless and sacrificial love of a father for his children. About love that was never mutual. About the love that destroyed Father Goriot.
86
Gunther Grass
The story is about a boy named Oskar Matzerath, who, when the National Socialists came to power in Germany, refuses to grow up in protest. Thus, he expresses his protest to the changes in German society.
87
Boris Vasiliev
A poignant story of war. About true love for parents, friends, and the Motherland. This story must be read to feel the entire emotional component of this story.
88
Stendhal
The story is about Julien Sorel and the soul, in which there is a confrontation between two feelings: passion and ambition. These two feelings are so intertwined that it is often impossible to distinguish between them.
89
Lev Tolstoy
An epic novel that describes an entire era, delving into historical realities and art world that time. War will be replaced by peace, and the peaceful life of the characters depends on the war. Many heroes with unique personalities.
90
Gustave Flaubert
This story is recognized greatest work world literature. Emma Bovary dreams of being beautiful social life, but her husband, a provincial doctor, cannot satisfy her requests. She finds lovers, but will they be able to fulfill Madame Bovary's dream?
91
Chuck Palahniuk
No matter how much the work of this author is criticized, it cannot be denied that his book “Fight Club” is one of the symbols of our generation. This is a story about people who decided to change this dirty world. The story is about a man who was able to resist the system.
92
Markus Zusak
Winter Germany in 1939, when Death has too much work, and after six months the work will increase significantly. A story about Liesel, about fanatical Germans, about a Jewish fighter, about thefts and about the power of words.
93
Alexander Pushkin
The novel in verse tells the story of the fate of the noble intelligentsia with their vices and selfishness. And at the center of history love story no happy ending.
94
George Martin
A fantastic story about another world ruled by kings and dragons. Love, betrayal, intrigue, war and death, all for the sake of power.
95
David Mitchell
History of past, present and future. Stories of people from different times. But these stories make up a single picture of our entire world.
96
Stephen King
A fantastic series of novels by the master of horrors. This series interweaves genres. The books closely coexist with horror, western, Science fiction and other genres. This is the story of the gunslinger Roland, who is searching for the Dark Tower.
97
Haruki Murakami
A story about human destinies in Japan in the 60s of the twentieth century. A story about human loss. Memoirs of Tooru, which will introduce the reader to different people and their stories.
98
Andy Weir
By chance, an astronaut is left alone at a space base on Mars. He has a limited amount of resources, but no connection with people. But he doesn’t give up, he believes that they will come back for him.
100
Samuel Beckett
An amazing play where everyone determines for themselves the mysterious personality of Godot. The author gives you the opportunity to find the answer to the question “who is he?” A specific person? Strong personality? Collective image? Or God?
I would like to include many more books in this top. Therefore, dear readers, write in the comments about those books that you consider the best. We will add books to the top and, with your help, expand it to the 1000 best books of all times.
Homer. Iliad, Odyssey (Gnedich, Zhukovsky).
Giovanni Boccaccio - “The Decameron” - Renaissance, frivolous short stories.
Lion Feichtwanger – “Goya” - historical novel about the great Spanish artist, times of the Inquisition.
Miguel de Cervantes - “Don Quixote” is a philosophical parody of chivalric romances.
Jonathan Swift - “Gulliver's Adventures” - a classic of adventure literature + satire.
Daniel Defoe - "Robinson Crusoe" - a classic of adventure literature.
Fenimore Cooper - “The Last of the Mohicans”, “Deerslayer”, “Pathfinder” - classics of adventure literature.
Louis Boussenard - “Captain Rip-Off” is a classic of adventure literature.
Anatole France - “Thais”, “Balthasar” - classics of historical adventure literature.
Haggard - King Solomon's Mines, The Brothers, Cleopatra - classics of adventure literature.
Rafael Sabatini - "Captain Blood's Odyssey" is a classic of adventure literature.
William Shakespeare - Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Beaumarchais - “A Crazy Day, or The Marriage of Figaro.”
Johann Wolfgang Goethe - "Faust".
THIS. Hoffman - " Worldly views Kota Murra", "Golden Pot", "Little Tsakhes"
Victor Hugo - "Notre Dame Cathedral"
Washington Irving - "Rip Van Winkle", stories.
Charles De Coster - The Legend of Ulenspiegel is a masterpiece.
Ethel Voynich - "The Gadfly".
Raspe - “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” is a classic of adventure humorous literature.
Mark Twain - "Life on the Mississippi"
Edgar Allan Poe's stories are the very first detective stories, classics of the genre, unexpected fruits of romanticism.
Gilbert Keith Chesteron - stories, "The Man Who Was Thursday" - a classic of a smart detective story.
Stefan Zweig - short stories.
Honore de Balzac - “Shagreen skin” - you yourself will understand.
Gustave Flaubert - “Salammbô” is a classic of historical adventure literature.
Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray, " Ideal husband", fairy tales are refined philosophical.
George Bernard Shaw - “Pygmalion”, “Heartbreak House” - classics of English drama.
George Orwell - " Barnyard", "1984" is one of the first dystopias.
Aldous Huxley - "O wondrous one, new world" - the most famous dystopia.
Franz Kafka – “The Trial”, “Metamorphosis”, “Castle” - a genius of surrealism and absurdity; more than one author’s imagination was so boundless.
Jack London - "Martin Eden", "White Fang", stories - classics of world literature
Erich Maria Remarque – “On western front no change", "Three Comrades", " Triumphal Arch", "Night in Lisbon" - pre-war, post-war, second World War.
Richard Aldington - "Death of a Hero", "All Men Are Enemies" - World War I.
Anne Frank - "Diary", "Diary of a Girl" - World War II.
Ernest Hemingway - A Farewell to Arms, The Old Man and the Sea - 1960s classics.
Gabriel García Márquez – “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, stories – classics of Latin American prose, world classics.
Jorge Luis Borges is a classic of Latin American mystical, fantastic, and philosophical prose.
Julio Cortazar - “The Hopscotch Game” is a classic of Latin American literature, one of the most the most unusual novels XX century.
Herman Melville - "Moby Dick" - a classic of adventure literature.
Ken Kesey - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 60's classic.
Richard Bach - “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”, “Illusions” - a philosophical view from heaven.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery - " A little prince"- another masterpiece from a professional pilot.
William Somerset Maugham - "Theatre"
Akutagawa Ryunosuke – novels – Japanese modern prose, classic.
Knut Hamsun is a strong psychological Danish prose.
Jaroslav Hasek - “The Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk” is a classic of satire and humor.
Karel Capek - “War with the Newts”, “Factory of the Absolute” - classics of science fiction. It was Capek who coined the word “robot.”
Jerome Klapka Jerome – “Three in a Boat, Not Counting the Dog”, stories – classics of satire and humor
Rudyard Kipling - stories, poems, The Jungle Book.
Ephraim Sevela - “Monya Tsatske is the standard bearer”, “Stop the plane - I’ll get off”, “Why is there no heaven on Earth”, etc. - modern satirical and humorous literature.
Umberto Eco – “The Name of the Rose”.
Jean-Paul Sartre – “Nausea”, “Sloa” - classics of existentialism
Albert Camus – “The Stranger”, “The Myth of Sisyphus”, “The Plague”, “First Man” - existentialism, philosophy. During his lifetime, Camus received the common name “Conscience of the West.”
Erland Lu – “Naive. Super.”, “Doppler” - modern Norwegian classic, humor.
Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange is a stunning 20th-century novel and a modern classic.
Patrick Suskind - "Perfume" - a modern classic.
Golding - Lord of the Flies - classic
Ray Bradbury – “Dandelion Wine” - a world classic
Selinger - “The Catcher in the Rye” - a world classic
John Fowles - "The Collector" - a modern classic
After the first course, I read a lot more, but I didn’t make lists. From the artistic side I can also recommend (it doesn’t seem to be on the list)
Daniel Wallace - "Big Fish", based on which Timothy Burton made the film, is read in one sitting
Lou, although it’s on the list, I highly recommend the novel “Doppler” - very funny in my opinion
Erich's remark to Maria - (he really is a man) I recommend all the books, but the literature is heavy and leaves a residue. There was a time, after reading all his books, I could not read other literature, everything seemed somehow empty.
I will not recommend Chuck Palahniuk, H. Thompson, Burroughs and other orange covers. Once at school, I was crazy about “Fight Club”, I liked all this literature in the ninth and tenth grade, but then I realized that with books like “One Hundred Years of Solitude” they would never stand anywhere near. Therefore, I stopped getting carried away with alt-Ernative literature, which most often is chernukha and nothing more, without any deep meanings. Well, maybe only if the author is wildly high, then sometimes something comes out.
Julio Cortazar "Game in the classics" - for all those who love unusual literature. There you can read in order, without order, the book is killer.
Grishkovets also writes books, his stories are good: “Rivers”, “Shirt” can of course be read for reference, “Traces on Me” is interesting. What happened next was crap, in my opinion.
For lovers of surrealism - books by Salvador Dali (yes, he wrote books too). Only for fans and to broaden your horizons. He writes, for example, that he went to the toilet very well today and feces came out correct shape... he was a strange man and a genius.
I recommend London's entire collection; he has extremely insightful and powerful stories. One 20-page story can give you more than a dozen books by Akunin or Coelho (or whatever his name is).
