2025’s Best 20th Century Novels: Top 6 Reviewed
We found the best novels of the 20th century, with unforgettable stories and characters that will captivate any reader.
When it comes to choosing the best novels of the 20th century, we look for stories that leave a lasting impression. We search for characters who leap off the page and plots that challenge how we see the world. We sift through tales that evoke laughter, tears, and occasionally confusion, yet always make us think. Our list includes a selection of novels that redefine storytelling and continue to influence readers across generations. These stories capture the essence of human experience, making them the best novels of the 20th century.
On this list:
6 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
We absolutely love this book for its glamorous portrayal of the Roaring Twenties. The parties are wild, and the characters are unforgettable.
5 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book practically raised us. Its lessons on justice and understanding are timeless. Plus, who doesn’t adore Atticus Finch?
4 1984 by George Orwell
A warning from history itself. We think it explores the dangers of totalitarianism and resonats more today than ever.
3 The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
Teen angst like nowhere else! Holden Caulfield’s cynical narration captured us during those rebellious years. Some love it, others hate it!
2 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
This book made magical realism famous. The Buendías’ family saga is captivating and poetic. It’s a book to get lost in.
1 Ulysses by James Joyce
Ah, Ulysses… The book that has scared many a reader. What makes it the best of the best novels of the 20th century? We reckon it’s the unrivaled stream of consciousness writing, along with the fact it’s like a puzzle. It challenges you, confuses you, and makes you feel incredibly smart if you manage to get through it without a headache. Joyce takes a single day in Dublin and turns it into a complex, beautiful, and downright baffling journey. A real masterpiece that keeps on giving every time you come back to it.
