14 Best Writers of All Time Reviewed 2025

Discover classics by the best writers of all time, from 'Don Quixote' to the magic of 'Moby Dick'.

The Great Gatsby coverTo Kill a Mockingbird cover1984 cover

In our quest to identify the best writers of all time, we crafted a list of 14 outstanding books that showcase the brilliance of literary giants. Our focus? We sought captivating tales that tug at your heartstrings, stories that explore the depths of humanity, and narratives that leave an indelible mark on all who read them. From timeless classics to groundbreaking novels, these books represent the very essence of the best writers of all time, making them a must-read collection for anyone eager to explore the literary wonders created by history’s finest minds.

On this list:

14 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Set in the Roaring Twenties, it’s a classic tale of love, wealth, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

13 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

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

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A powerful novel about racial injustice in the Deep South, told through the eyes of young Scout Finch.

12 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

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

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A dystopian masterpiece where Big Brother watches everyone. It’s a gripping tale on the dangers of totalitarianism.

11 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

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

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A romantic comedy where Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with the haughty Mr. Darcy in 19th-century England.

10 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

  • Genre: Adventure, Fiction
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1851
  • Pages: 585

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A thrilling tale of obsession and revenge on the high seas, following Captain Ahab’s quest for the white whale.

9 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

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

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An epic novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, it explores the lives of five aristocratic families.

8 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov cover

  • Genre: Philosophical Fiction
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1880
  • Pages: 824

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A deep philosophical novel exploring faith, doubt, and the nature of good and evil through the Karamazov brothers.

7 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude cover

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

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A beautiful saga of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo, blending magic with realism.

6 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

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

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A gripping psychological thriller, following Raskolnikov as he wrestles with guilt after committing murder.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

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

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An iconic tale of teenage rebellion as Holden Caulfield navigates life in post-WWII New York.

4 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World cover

  • Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1932
  • Pages: 268

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A futuristic novel that critiques a chemically-controlled, hedonistic society.

3 Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights cover

  • Genre: Gothic Fiction
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 416

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A dark gothic romance exploring the tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff on the Yorkshire Moors.

2 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre cover

  • Genre: Gothic Fiction
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 500

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A love story mixed with gothic elements, following Jane’s journey from orphan to independent woman.

1 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote cover

  • Genre: Adventure, Fiction
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
  • Year released: 1605
  • Pages: 1072

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Considered the first modern novel, it humorously chronicles the adventures of the delusional knight, Don Quixote.

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!