Best Novels of the 20th Century?

“Best” is such a subjective word. A theme may resonant firmly with Mrs. X, while not at all with Mr. Z. If a theme leaves us feeling listless or without spark, we may rely on a character to pull us through. Yet, we must be able to connect to a character in order to feel invested in them. Without investment our interest often wanes and dies. Our only hope to enjoying a book without a character or plot connection is if an author’s writing is so strong, unique, or pointedly beautiful that we can forgo all else.

We’ve all been burned by and had DNF (Did Not Finish) experiences with books. I can think of more books than I have fingers and toes that I struggled to get through. But what of those books that we flew through and knew we would read again and again? The ones who writing made us sit and think for days? Whose writing left us feeling as if we were in a spell? The ones we keep on our physical book shelves, because they are too precious to donate to the local thrift store or little library? These well loved favorites that we treasure like the air we breathe? The ones where we felt the writer nailed something on the head like no-one before or after ever will?

Instead of listing what I feel may be the “best” novels of the 20th century, I will share my favorites. They are, not in any order:

• The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
• Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
• The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White

All four have one similarity that weave in and out of their work. The obvious theme of being young and discontent. This feeling of wanting more in life than what we have at present is what makes us want to lie down and quit, but also drives us to achieve more. Haven’t we all felt like this at some point in our lives?

I plan to revisit each novel, in turn between now and September of 2025. I urge you to join me. Join the journey. Join the discussion. None are lengthy, and most are quick reads. I’ll start with The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. It has so many passages that will make you sit up and think or lose sleep. People marvel at Plath’s turn of phrase in her poetry, which was without a doubt unparalleled, but what she accomplished with The Bell Jar is absolutely amazing in its own right.

I welcome comments from you as we read these together. What hits home? Have you ever felt like the Esther? Is there anything you feel detracts from the flow of Plath’s novel? Feel free to post your favorite quotes or passages from the book as we read The Bell Jar.

I encourage you to share your favorite books of the 20th century. Your list and comments are appreciated below. Let’s have a free, open and respectful discussion about our favorite books.