13 Best Writers of All Time Reviewed in 2025

We celebrate the best writers of all time with timeless classics like Shakespeare's plays and Austen's witty novels.
The Great Gatsby coverPride and Prejudice cover1984 cover

Greetings, fellow book lovers! Today, we’re setting sail on a literary adventure, exploring the 13 best books penned by the best writers of all time. Our focus? Finding tales that deliver supreme storytelling, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes. We guarantee each pick comes with a balanced review, showcasing both the highs and the lows. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned bibliophile, this list promises to spark your reading passion. So grab your reading glasses – let’s dive in!

On this list:

13 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1925
  • Pages: 180

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This book shows us the glitz and grit of the Jazz Age, with its tale of wealth, dreams, and the American spirit. It’s a short read, but it packs a punch like a heavyweight boxer. The prose is poetic, making it a favorite among fans of best writers of all time.

12 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

  • Genre: Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1813
  • Pages: 279

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Austen’s skill in capturing societal norms, love, and wit makes her one of the best writers of all time. This book has more charm than a gentleman in a top hat.

11 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

  • Genre: Dystopian
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1949
  • Pages: 328

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Orwell’s dystopian novel remains relevant today, exploring themes of totalitarianism and surveillance. It’s like reading tomorrow’s newspaper today.

10 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1960
  • Pages: 324

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Lee’s exploration of racial injustice through the eyes of a child gives this book its timeless appeal. It’s the literary version of an old, precious photograph.

9 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

  • Genre: Adventure
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1851
  • Pages: 635

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Melville’s deep dive into a man’s obsession with a whale makes this a classic. It’s quite the journey and not just for seafarers.

8 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

  • Genre: Historical
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1869
  • Pages: 1225

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Tolstoy’s epic is a hefty doorstopper but incredibly rewarding. It’s a deep look into Russian society and the human spirit.

7 Ulysses by James Joyce

Ulysses cover

  • Genre: Modernist
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1922
  • Pages: 732

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Joyce’s novel is renowned for its stream of consciousness style. It’s like running a marathon through pages instead of streets.

6 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre cover

  • Genre: Gothic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 532

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Brontë’s work offers a brilliant mix of romance, mystery, and social commentary, proving her place among best writers of all time.

5 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

  • Genre: Philosophical
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1866
  • Pages: 671

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Dostoevsky’s tale of guilt and redemption keeps readers on the edge. If novels were rollercoasters, this would have the wildest drop.

4 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1951
  • Pages: 234

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Salinger’s work remains a definitive story about teenage angst. It’s a must-read, especially if you’re wearing a red hunting hat.

3 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude cover

  • Genre: Magical Realism
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1967
  • Pages: 417

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Márquez weaves magic realism with a flair that makes time feel like sand slipping through your fingers.

2 Middlemarch by George Eliot

Middlemarch cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1871
  • Pages: 904

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Eliot’s novel is a brilliant tapestry of Victorian life, blending humor, sadness, and realism.

1 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1605
  • Pages: 940

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Cervantes’ masterpiece tops our list for its innovative storytelling, blending humor and drama in an unforgettable tale. The quirky knight’s adventures transcend time, making it a timeless read. Combining satire with a deep exploration of themes like reality and madness, it showcases Cervantes’ prowess and influence on literature. In my high-school days, I once tried tilting at windmills—didn’t end well, but the book taught me to laugh at life’s absurdities. Its impact on countless writers further cements Cervantes’ place among the best writers of all time. For readers, it offers a rich tapestry of adventure, love, and hope.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!