Best Fiction Books of All Time: Timeless Classics & Modern Masterpieces
Which books, according to you, are the best ones? I know it’s a difficult question and every reader has their own preference. But there are a few genres that bring the same benefits to all. And that is, of course, fiction.
You may not resonate with this idea, but here’s my stance on this.
When you immerse yourself into these books, specifically any of the best fiction books of all time, you unlock the doorway to unimaginable benefits.
Improves brain function
Fosters empathetic behavior
Reduces stress and anxiety
Elevates the quality of sleep
Strengthens relationships
Boosts creativity
Encourages happiness and joy
Enhances problem-solving capabilities
What’s better than doing what you love while enjoying these amazing effects?
So, let’s dive in and explore the best fiction books of all time and enjoy the perfect escape from our chaotic lives.
Image Title: Classic fiction books
Image Description: Classic fiction books in a bookshelf
ALT Text: Best fiction books of all time
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The first on our list is this book which is a translation of a classic, which in some places, is referred to as the best novel ever written. Centered on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, this book brings forth elite-ness of character development. It brings together three of the most prominent characters of literature: Napoleon himself, Pierre Bezukhov, and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. It is a modern epic that has acquired a nomination in the category of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.
“Excellent…. An extraordinary achievement…Wonderfully fresh and readable… The English-speaking world is indebted to these two magnificent translators for revealing more of its hidden riches than any who have tried to translate the book before.”
—Orlando Figes, The New York Review of Books
The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Compiling a list of best fiction books of all time without an entry of a masterpiece by one of the greatest authors in the history of literature, Hemingway is impossible. This is why our next pick is one of the most renowned classics in the world of fiction. A wonderfully written story of a Cuban fisherman and his battle with a giant marlin, this book has been categorized as the best piece of fiction out there.
“A beautiful tale, awash in the sea salt and sweat, bait and beer of the Havana coast. It tells a fundamental human truth: in a volatile world, from our first breath to our last wish, through triumphs and pitfalls both trivial and profound, what sustains us, ultimately, is hope.”
—The Guardian
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Moving forward, we have to mention William Faulkner’s greatest novel which he has known to put his all heart and soul into. This book is, undoubtedly a must-read, as it is rightly referred to as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. It is a story about a family that is just at the edge of ruin, not just financially but also personally. Intense emotions and drama line the entire read, putting you through a roller coaster of events, and making it difficult for you to put it down.
“No man ever put more of his heart and soul into the written word than did William Faulkner. If you want to know all you can about that heart and soul, the fiction where he put it is still right there.”
—Eudora Welty
While these are the top three, there are plenty of other classics that are timeless and modern masterpieces in the world of fiction, some of these include;
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Iliad by Homer
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen –
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
And many others!
There are some up-and-coming fiction writers but these on our list will always be the best fiction books of all time.