Callil and Toibin The Modern Library 200 Best Novels in English since 1950
Carmen Callil & Colm Toibin 200 best novels from 1950 to 1998. List is in chronological order. Actually 202 novels.
Callil and Tóibín’s determination to ignore the distinction between so-called popular fiction and literary fiction (also so-called) results in a selection featuring novels for readers of every age and taste, for those who have never read a novel before and for experts who want to quarrel with the choice. There are long novels and short novels; novels for surrealists and romantics; for wits and for murder fiends; for Cold War fanatics and for lovers of Dickens and Eliot. The selection is truly international with novels from India, Pakistan, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, Australia, Canada, Africa, the Caribbean, Hong Kong and more.
Although acknowledging that any list such as this is a matter of personal choice, the authors state that they looked for the same quality in every choice – ‘a certain genius in the work, a certain excitement in the reading, and a feeling that you would love to hand this book to someone else to read’. The authors hope that indignation, as well as pleasure, will be among the first reactions to this selection.
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