10 most influential novels of the 20th century
The 20th century was a time of immense cultural, political, and social change that was reflected in the literature of the era. Some novels from this period have had a profound and lasting impact on society. Here are 10 of the most influential novels of the 20th century:
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
Widely considered Fitzgerald's magnum opus, The Great Gatsby explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Roaring Twenties that has come to define the era. Through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby and his quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan, Fitzgerald crafts a sweeping criticism of the American Dream and the classism, materialism, and social prejudices that pervaded society. The novel's elegiac tone and striking use of metaphor make it one of the most stylistically and thematically significant works of 20th century fiction.
2. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)
With its chilling depiction of totalitarianism in the futuristic nation of Oceania, Orwell's dystopian novel introduced concepts like Big Brother and the Thought Police that became hallmarks of authoritarianism. Its messages about propaganda, surveillance, censorship, and the distortion of truth remain relevant decades after publication, with the novel's ideas and imagery still frequently used to reference and describe oppressive social and political dynamics. 1984 altered discourse around totalitarianism and provided a vocabulary to discuss invasive and abusive uses of power.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about racism and injustice in the American South was groundbreaking for its empathetic yet honest portrayal of racial tensions and moral courage in deeply segregated communities. Told from the perspective of a young girl nicknamed Scout, the novel's compassionate depiction of her father Atticus Finch's defense of a Black man falsely accused of rape challenged prejudice and exemplified moral leadership through some of the most morally complex situations in literature. The novel's lessons about tolerance, justice, and confronting systemic racism gave it an enduring legacy.
4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967)
This seminal work by the Colombian author pioneered the literary style known as magical realism, weaving fantastical elements into a realistic setting. García Márquez's opus spans a century in the life of the fictional town Macondo, using magical occurrences as metaphors to explore the town's progress and emerging modernity while also critiquing the influence of imperialism. Blending myth and history, the novel resonated throughout Latin America and beyond as both a beautifully innovative work and powerful political commentary. Its legacy solidified magical realism as a major movement in 20th century literature.
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)
A groundbreaking work that addressed intersectional themes of racism, sexism, violence, and queer identity in the early 20th century South, The Color Purple garnered praise and controversy for its unflinching portrayal of systemic oppression. Told through letters written by Celie, a young Black woman, the novel examines her traumas and abuse as well as bonds between women that help Celie reclaim agency over her life. The novel radically contributed to Black feminist fiction and LGBTQ+ literature, while also spotlighting legacy of violence that shaped the lives of Black women in America.
6. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)
This searing novel about a formerly enslaved woman confronting the horrors of her past demonstrated Morrison’s skills for interweaving the poetic and grotesque. Set after the American Civil War, the novel portrays the lasting scars of slavery through the lens of magical realism, exploring trauma, memory, and the search for inner peace when faced with unthinkable violence and loss. Praised for its lyrical writing, the novel helped cement Morrison’s reputation for starkly poetic renderings of Black life that illuminate enduring stains on America’s social fabric.
7. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie (1988)
Rushdie's magical realist novel sparked international controversy in 1988 due to its purported blasphemous depiction of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, resulting in threats and violent protests against the author. Beyond threats to Rushdie, the reaction illuminated cultural and religious tensions, underlining just how impactful literature could still be in a modern era. While the controversy remains controversial itself, the event demonstrated the novel's cultural significance while raising timeless questions about free speech, blasphemy, and religious offense.
8. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (1996)
This massive, complex novel of nearly 1100 pages tackled themes ranging from addiction and recovery to entertainment's role in placating society, with Wallace's layered postmodern writing style adding cerebral recursions on popular culture and American excess. In its non-linear sprawl, the novel came to represent both achievement in technologically accelerating times and the overstimulating, fragmented nature of modern life. Both deeply philosophical and darkly comical, Wallace's opus made virtuosic use of endnotes and digressions, cementing his reputation as a singular voice of late 20th century literature.
9. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)
The first novel in Rowling's globally beloved fantasy series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sparked a worldwide phenomenon. As the book introduced readers to the wizarding world of Harry, Hermione, and Ron and their adventures at Hogwarts, Rowling built immersive fantasy realm that felt both fantastical and intimately real for millions of children. The novel touched on timeless themes about friendship, courage, and morality, earning devotion across generations and cultural bounds. The series' unprecedented popularity demonstrated fiction's enduring ability to enchant and inspire.
10. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003)
Hosseini's debut novel highlighted the far-reaching impact of geopolitics and war through the intimate friendship of two Afghan boys torn apart by class differences and the Soviet-Afghan War. The bestselling book confronted topics like betrayal, guilt, redemption, and the search for belonging against a backdrop of decades of conflict in Afghanistan. As the first major English language novel authored by an Afghan writer, the book's cross-cultural resonance underlined fiction's ability to powerfully traverse boundaries and bring diverse human experiences to light.
The most influential books hold up mirrors to society and provide lenses through which to understand our world and ourselves. These 10 20th century novels offer invaluable perspectives on history, culture, and the human condition, demonstrating literature's power to influence societies, spark dialogues, shape collective memory, and inspire positive change. Their ideas and insights have reverberated across countries, generations, and disciplines, cementing them among the most captivating and consequential works of their era.
