This list has been put together by the editors of Random House’s Modern Library, and represents the best 100 novels of the 20th century.
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ggchickapee
Portland
The reason I started adding comments like a hyped-up fiend this morning is because I have finished reading every one of the 121 books on this list. Finished. Done. Over. Accomplished.
I had read about 20 of the books on the list prior to when the list came out in 1999. I started then trying to read them all, in no particular order. Now that I finished Augie March, I have read every one of them.
Some I liked, some I didn’t. Finnegan’s Wake almost sent me to the bughouse. I became reacquainted with some favorite authors, and learned to appreciate new ones. All in all, I am glad I undertook this goal and glad to have accomplished it.
ggchickapee
Portland
If you count each book, there are more than 100, because of trilogies, sets, etc. Each of the following books were published separately, so I count them as individual books, even though they are lumped together on the list:
U.S.A = a trilogy.
The Studs Lonigan Triology = same
The Alexandria Quartet = four separate novels.
A Dance to the Music of Time = 12 separate novels, originally published separately, now published in four volumes of three each.
Parade’s End = four novels, originally published separately.
So even though they call it the Top 100 list, there are really 121 books on it.
ggchickapee
Portland
It is a list of the Top 100 “Modern Library” Novels of the 20th Century—as in, novels published by Modern Library. They picked their own books. It’s their list, so their rules, so their books. That’s why there are great books that didn’t make THIS list.
There are a zillion other “best books” lists, including lists by other publishing companies (Radcliffe, Easton, etc.).
klagregory
Nashville
tinkering with the list. Agree with it or not but the list is a set list and adding your own personal favorites to it is not the way to handle things.
I started reading these books in 2001.I was 46 years old and had decided that I hadn’t read to much lit since high school.The biggest problem for me was what books to read and this list,well gave me a list.I was out of lit for so long it was not my intention to analyise or question it.All I wanted was a list.6 years later and still not quite through them,I might mention that I read mostly on my 25 min journey to and from work,I can say that I don’t regret undertaking the task but can admit there were some books that made me question the project.All in all it is enjoyable and I believe gives me an insight to Eng Lit that I didn’t have before.When I get done I start on Ayn Rand.
southernbohemian
Austin
I switched #43 – it was listed as the First Movement of the Dance to the Music of Time series, but the entire series (all 4 movements, 12 books in all) is what is included on the Modern Library’s list. Hope it didn’t mess anyone up too much. If you count all of the series, the list is actually 118 books, not 100.
dandv
Sunnyvale
...this list is crap! Where’s Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”, the second most influential book after the Bible (http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2002-09-23-ayn-rand_x.htm)?
And where are Dune, Asimov’s Foundation, or Nobel Prize winner “The Glass Bead Game”?
iwishiwas
Cleveland
I am surprised to see there are quite a few books and authors here I have never even heard of! Like all lists though, we all have our own idea of what should, or should not, be on them. It has inspired me to try something new!
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