Nobel Prize for Literature - a selection of key works

If we begin to include multiple items per author, it only seems fair to include ALL work available (in print) by each author. This seems rather cumbersome (some authors have nearly 100 books) if not undesirable (some of these books are pretty bad).

Many people may not find this adequate, but I would like to limit the list to one item (be it a single work or a collection) per author. I will try to select the best regarded work (or at least most representative) by each writer.

While not an entirely subjective decision (I read the essays associated with each author as to why they were chosen, and make an effort to determine the critical consensus about each writer’s ouvre whenever possible), I realize that in some cases it will come down to picking a favorite among multiple masterworks.

If you would prefer to see a certain book or item replace one that is here, please leave a comment making a case for it before you amend the list.

For those who would like to tick off their reading accomplishments, the name-based list may be a better choice.

I suggest this list be used when you have no idea where to begin with an author, or when you are trying to identify the “keys” to understanding a certain writers body of work. I will be culling the additions others have made with this in mind…