Best 11 Top Writers of All Time – 2025 Review

We explore timeless works from the top writers of all time, including Shakespeare's plays and Dostoevsky's gripping novels.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare coverThe Divine Comedy coverWar and Peace cover

We love a good read, especially when it comes to the ‘top writers of all time’. When crafting our list of the 11 best books by these iconic authors, we focus on the timeless impact, gripping storytelling, and memorable characters. These works don’t just tell stories but shape literature. We journey through the lives of these brilliant minds, and trust us, it’s one entertaining literary rollercoaster.

On this list:

11 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare cover

  • Genre: Drama, Poetry
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1623
  • Pages: 1200

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Renowned as one of the top writers of all time, Shakespeare’s work shapes the English language. His plays and poetry bring us timeless tales of love, power, and human nature.

10 The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

The Divine Comedy cover

  • Genre: Epic Poetry
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1320
  • Pages: 432

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Dante’s epic poem, a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, showcases his genius and is still admired as one of the top works of literature. It’s like going thru a bad day at work.

9 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

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

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Tolstoy’s novel is a sweeping epic of Russian society during Napoleonic times, filled with fascinating characters and philosophical insights. It’s a fantastic workout for your bookshelf.

8 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

  • Genre: Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1813
  • Pages: 432

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Austen’s wit and story-telling make this romantic novel a classic piece of literature, loved for its humor and keen social observation.

7 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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This magical realism masterpiece transports readers to a fictional town and follows generations of the Buendía family. It’s like a soap opera with a twist.

6 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

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

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Melville’s thrilling tale of obsession and revenge at sea is considered one of the top works in American literature. Talk about fishing trips gone wrong.

5 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

  • Genre: Psychological Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1866
  • Pages: 576

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Dostoevsky’s psychological thriller delves into the mind of a conflicted antihero. It keeps you hooked like a good crime drama on TV.

4 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote cover

  • Genre: Satire, Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1605
  • Pages: 992

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The first modern novel, this comedic tale of a delusional knight has amused readers for centuries. It pokes fun at all those medieval stories.

3 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Fitzgerald’s exploration of the American Dream gone wrong in the Roaring Twenties remains relevant and a top choice in contemporary literature.

2 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray cover

  • Genre: Gothic Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1890
  • Pages: 254

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Wilde’s only novel is a dark tale of vanity and moral corruption, with all the wit you’d expect from one of literature’s most flamboyant figures.

1 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov cover

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

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Widely regarded as Dostoevsky’s greatest work, this novel tackles deep philosophical and ethical questions while weaving a complex story of family and faith. It tops our list as it masterfully blends profound themes with compelling narratives, leaving the reader with much to ponder long after the final page. Dostoevsky’s ability to craft detailed and vivid psychological portraits resonates with readers worldwide, cementing its place among the top writers of all time. It’s got suspense, drama, and more twists than a pretzel.

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!