Question

What is considered to be the Best Book of All-Time?

I know it is a subjective matter, but many lists online tend to pretty much have the same books listed.

Among these, I always noticed:
"Don Quixote", "Anna Karenina", "Ulysses", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Lolita".

What do you guys think? Which of these five would be the best? Or which one deserves to be included in the top 5?

Answer 1

Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451
Phillip K. wingspan: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
George Orwell: 1984
Vladamir Nabokov: Lolita

Answer 2

Pfft, Catcher in the Rye is bauss.
Gone With the Wind is kind of legedary, too.
Not saying Comp's suggestions aren't great too, though.

Answer 3

Peh. To Kill A Mockingbird crushes them ALL.

Answer 4

I'd go for "The Brothers Karamazov". Definitely the most meaningful novel I've read so far.

Among those that were mentioned, I most agree with Compassionate's suggestion of "1984". It was such a wild futuristic fiction at the time but now we are realizing that Orwell had foreseen the bridling of privacy that technology would eventually imply. Ray Bradbury's story is very smart too, yet I wouldn't name it the "best book ever". Same as "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep". Both are eminently interesting but they just don't have that aura of "sublimity".

I haven't read "Lolita", so I can't comment on that one. It's definitely next on my to-read list.

"Catcher in the Rye" is another classic I haven't checked. However, I feel that only Americans acclaim that novel; I don't know if it's that renowned globally. Comments on it would be appreciated ;)

"To Kill A Mockingbird" was great, but I felt the first part of the novel lacked any relevant storyline. The second half though is fantastic.

Answer 5

I've gotta say that pride and prejudice, sense and sensibility, to kill a mockingbird, and a separate peace are great classics.

since it seems like those are classics that are listed :P

and i still have so many to read.. fahrenheit 451, animal farm (ray bradbury books basically haha), catcher in the rye, etc.. which ones are definitely recommended? i'll definitely have to pick it up

Answer 6

but honestly, there is no best book of all time.. people will say different things, but nobody is the same. so i'd say it's a personal thing. but i guess maybe they could do a poll and whichever book comes out with the most votes worldwide would be the so-called best..

like you said, it's a very subjective matter.

also take note that many websites use other similar websites as reference so that could be connected :)

hehe definitely read jane austen's pride and prejudice and sense and sensibility. amazing books

Answer 7

and like @bulletwithbutterflywings said, gone with the wind... it's a top notch book. i'd recommend it. it's long, but so worth it :)

Answer 8

"Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Tells about a story of a Nigerian man who lost his pride and social status after Christian missionaries settle at Nigeria making change among the people.

Answer 9

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37781.Things_Fall_Apart