The 14 Most Famous Books in the World
Recommended list of most famous books in the world, choose a few most popular books of all time for yourself.
In the US textbooks of our elementary school or middle and high schools, there will always be excerpts from the most popular books of all time.
Reading the most famous book in history has a great influence on our world structure and values. These chicken soups for the soul can show you the way when you are lost.
So what is the world's most famous book? what is the most famous book of all time?
The 14 Greatest Most Popular Books of All Time
Today, the editor recommends the 14 most famous books in the world for everyone. Choose a few good books for yourself, which are worth reading.
Books have the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new ideas and perspectives, and leave a lasting impact on our lives.
But which books are considered the most famous in the world? In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the 14 most popular books of all time.
From classic literature to modern best-sellers, these best-selling books of all time have stood the test of time and continue to be read and loved by millions of people around the world.
Whether you're a book enthusiast or simply looking for some new reading material, this best-selling books of all time list are sure to have something for everyone.
So, let's dive in and explore the 14 most famous books in the world.
1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
"War and Peace" is known as one of the "Greatest Novels in the World". The novel was published in 1865. Once it was published, it caused great repercussions. The issue of "War" and "Peace" was always a problem in society at that time.
Hot topics, Tolstoy, through the description of a large area of characters, psychological activities, real scenes, and storylines, truly showed the atmosphere and life scenes of the entire Russian society at that time. The strong scenes are vast, yet meticulous, with clear thinking and concise.
They are all the most famous books of all time worth reading in terms of literature and influence. War and Peace is the first novel with all-European significance in the history of Russian literature. It is unique. It takes the artistic theme of epic poetry to the extreme, so it can be the most important book in history.
War and Peace are one of Leo Tolstoy’s most famous works. It mainly describes a series of important historical events in Russia from 1805 to 1820. The lives of the four nobles of Bezhuhoff are clues that reflect the life of the people of all classes in Russia at that time.
War and Peace is the first novel with all-European significance in the history of Russian literature. It is unique. It takes the artistic theme of epic poetry to the extreme, so it can be the most famous book of all time in the world.
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
"Jane Eyre" is the representative work of the famous British female writer Charlotte Bronte in the 19th century. It shocked the literary world and became a sensation. It has been a hundred years and has lasted for a long time.
"Jane Eyre" is a literary work with an autobiographical nature, and is a "poetic life portrayal" of the author Charlotte Bronte. It describes the touching story of the heroine Jane Eyre daring to fight against the world and bravely pursues her own dignity and love.
It has deeply affected countless people, especially female friends who pursue independence, equality, and dignity, and regard themselves as themselves, mentors, and helpful friends.
A British woman who has become an orphan since she was a child, constantly pursuing freedom and dignity, persisting in herself, and finally gaining happiness through various trials.
The novel fascinatingly showcases the ups and downs of the hero and heroine's love experience, praises freedom from all old customs and prejudices, and successfully creates an image of a woman who dares to resist and who dares to fight for freedom and equality.
3. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
"Anna Karenina" is the most important book read by the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. The protagonist Anna Karenina in the book is one of the most moving images of women in Russian literature and the most beautiful in the history of world literature. One of the plump female images.
The novel is composed of two parallel lines: one is Anna’s tragedy in pursuit of love and happiness. She doesn’t love her lifeless bureaucratic husband Karenin at all, and she falls in love with the suave young military officer Volensky at first sight he ran away from home, so Despised by the upper class, they had a relationship crisis with Volinsky, and finally committed suicide in complete despair.
This exposes the hypocrisy, coldness, and corruption of the Russian upper-class society in the 19th century; the other is that the landlord of the province, Levin, has gone through various ups and downs and finally established a happy family with his beloved aristocratic lady Ji Di, as well as his economic reforms in the face of rural bankruptcy.
Anna was beautiful and full of life before she met her love. After meeting Volensky, she abandoned her son and lost herself. She was worried about love, and finally lost, and finally gave up her life. If love is to make oneself better, then it is beautiful to love, if it is to make oneself ugly, it is evil fate, it is better to give up. At all times, you must remain independent and be a complete yourself.
4. The Red and the Black by Stendhal
The novel "Red and Black" was hailed as critical literature of European realism, and when it was published, it caused a great sensation in the capitalist society at that time. The book’s words are sharp, profound, and thought-provoking, and the plot is ups and downs.
Although it uses the two love stories of the protagonist Julian as the main clue, it is actually a "political novel". In 1986, the French "Reading" magazine recommended him as one of his ideal collections.
This literary image of Julien, on the one hand, describes the panic of the nobility and the middle and small bourgeoisie under the impact of the people’s revolution on the eve of the July Revolution in France; on the other hand, it also portrays a personal careerist who appeared in the drastic social changes
The artistic image beautifies the view of life and happiness of the bourgeoisie. The structure of the novel is rigorous and well-proportioned, the language is concise and fluent, and the character image and character are closely connected with the environment.
It is good at revealing the inner conflicts and momentary changes in the character's thoughts and feelings, so as to highlight the personality characteristics of the people. This is the biggest artistic feature of the book.
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
"Wuthering Heights" is the most famous book by Emily Bronte, one of the most famous "Bronte Three Sisters" in the history of English literature. The book tells a romantic and tangled love and revenge story.
Through such a complicated and thrilling love tragedy, "Wuthering Heights" shows the world a picture of life in a deformed society, and outlines the horror of human nature that has been distorted in this deformed society.
"Wuthering Heights" is a great literary work, known as "the most peculiar novel".
A man who loved to the extreme made crazy behavior. He killed people with "love", but also committed suicide with love. After Catherine's life and death, he lived in pain. When Catherine was dead, he used words to stab her.
However, Heathcliff suffered two injuries, his own and Catherine's. I admire the man who is so affectionate. Although he was a bit perverted and cruel, he couldn't hate him. Full of sympathy for him. Even very moved by his crazy love. Relatively speaking, Catherine is too selfish. She loves Heathcliff and married a wealthy London.
It can be said that a large part of the tragedies of Wuthering Heights and Thrush Grange was caused by her own hands. Heathcliff is crazy. But very charming. Of course, London is also a good husband. It's just a bit stupid. Catherine: She is bad, she is selfish, but her obsession with love makes her exude the mixed charm of good women and bad women.
6. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
The author "David Copperfield" is the most famous novel by Charles Dickens, a very famous British writer. The life's joys and sorrows of the protagonist David, reveal the true face of society at that time on multiple levels and highlight the corrosive effect of money on marriage, family, and society.
The formation of the series of tragedies in the novel is all caused by money. Modesto lied to marry David's mother to covet her property; Emily's elopement was the temptation of not being able to withstand money; the pain of the Wakefield family and the despair of Haimu were all the consequences of money.
The despicable man Shipp also fell into the next step under the temptation of money and ended up shamelessly in life imprisonment. Dickens exposed the evil of money from humanitarian thoughts, thus unveiling the beautiful curtain of "Victoria's Flourishing Age" and revealing the hidden social truth behind it.
This is the favorite of the three Dickens novels I've read. Each character is very full and completely different, and the ending is in line with the identity. Of course, this book is so thick! The heroine is no longer just a kind and beautiful porcelain doll, she is more intelligent, wise, and courageous, and loves Ennis so much.
I didn't pay attention when I was reading. After reading the preface, I felt my aunt's teaching "Never be humble, never hypocritical, never cruel". It can really be a motto for standing up and acting alone!
7. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
"Madame Bovary" is the representative work of Flaubert, a French critical realist novelist. It tells the story of Emma, a peasant girl who has received aristocratic education. She despised her husband Bovary, who was a township doctor and dreamed of legendary love.
However, her two cheating did not bring her happiness but made her a target of exploitation by loan sharks. In the end, she accumulated debts and desperately had no choice but to take poison and commit suicide. With a seemingly indifferent attitude, Flaubert very "objectively" revealed the causes and consequences that led to this tragedy, and stated the responsibilities that society cannot shirk.
Sure enough, it is a master classic, which pales in comparison to what I have read in the past few months. This English translation is quite good. The language is exquisite, the characters are vivid and lifelike, the poor and pathetic Bovary couple, the ruthless and greedy people of all kinds of hypocrisy!
I was like holding my breath and watching Emma step by step towards the abyss, full of the powerless feeling that I wanted to reach out and hold on to. I suddenly felt that most of us ordinary people actually live with a Bovary couple in our hearts. They are at ease in their mediocrity and in the dunny world that is not reconciled to boredom. Isn't it the way we are cautiously moving forward in our lives?
8. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
"Hamlet," tells the story of Danish Prince Hamlet's revenge for his father. Although the tragedy is based on Danish history, it deeply exposes the sharp struggle of corruption and degeneration within the court of feudal society. Hamlet avenged his father and killed his uncle. He himself was assassinated by his uncle. He was poisoned by a sword in a duel with Leottis.
This conflict in the palace is not only a tragedy for the family but also a tragedy for the palace and the country. Hamlet ultimately failed to realize his desire to reorganize the world and handed over the kingdom to the Norwegian Prince Fording Blas before his death.
Although it is a classic in the classics, from high school to university, from the old English version to the later modern intensive reading version to the western literature class to turn this version of hamlet. And I wrote an essay that took A...
I think it is worth marking it myself. (And many Americans take B so I can feel that I should be proud of myself) Now that I think about it, an advanced writing class is required in the general study of the university. I didn’t follow the trend to take those legendary and easy courses.
Fixing this section is really one of the most correct decisions ever made in my life. I really learned a lot of interesting things in this class. Without it, I wouldn't have the opportunity to force myself to write a ten-page essay to analyze Hamlet and read Hamlet thoroughly.
9. Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo
"Notre Dame de Paris" by French romantic writer Hugo is a must-read romantic genre work. The plot of the novel is bizarre, intense, lively, unpredictable, dramatic, and legendary. It is very representative most famous books in the history of French literature. It is very artistic.
Based on the history of the reign of King Louis XI more than 400 years ago, it truly shows the dark activities of the court and the church and the formation of novels and reality. The strong contrast stimulates the senses of every reader. It deserves to be on the throne of the most important books in history.
The ugly and deaf Quasimodo was adopted by the priest of Notre Dame de Paris as a bell striker. Since he met the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, the decent-looking Father Croud was seduced by her beauty. Confused and instructed by Quasimodo to forcibly take Esmeralda away, and was rescued by the captain of the Forbes cavalry on the way, Esmeralda fell in love with Forbes.
But Forbes was born with a romantic nature and was assassinated by the grudge Krode, but he did not die. He put the blame on Esmeralda so that she was sentenced to death. During the execution, Quasimodo rescued Esmeralda.
Walking and hiding in Notre Dame, the crowd of beggars rushed into the church to save Esmeralda and fought with Quasimodo by mistake. Esmeralda was strangled on the square by the army led by Kröder. Modo angrily threw Krode down from the top floor of the church and then stroked Esmeralda's body to death.
10. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
"Crime and Punishment" states that Raskolnikov, a poor law student, killed an old woman who used loan sharks. At first, he felt that "killing this useless, lice-like old woman" was not a crime. Later, he was "conscientious." "Condemned, in semi-crazy pain.
He meets Sonia, the daughter of the drunk Mameradov, and learns that she has gone into prostitution on the streets in order to maintain a family life. Her thought of saving human suffering through self-sacrifice felt Raskolnikov. So he went to the government to surrender and went to "rebirth".
The advent of "Crime and Punishment" has brought the author an unprecedented reputation, because it is the author's most social and historical connotation of a social philosophical novel.
In the novel, the author organically combines the tense and thrilling plot with broad scenes of real-life and social-ethical issues, reflecting the development of capitalism in all aspects of Russian social life after the serfdom reform, especially thoughts. The drastic changes are caused by morality.
I liked this book so much because the focus of “marriage” or “relationship” is not the Eurocentric indoctrination of “one and only true love” which is only a way to entrench monogamy that makes no sense logically; instead, Dostoyevsky focused on the idea of “responsibility” and “loyalty” that just makes more sense to me.
11. Les Miserables by Hugo Victor
The book spans nearly half a century. The combination of personal destiny and historical themes, majestic and magnificent, fully reflects Hugo's narrative talents. In terms of richness, depth, and complexity in content, it undoubtedly ranks first among Hugo's numerous works.
Reading "Les Miserables" seriously for the third time, the book is often read and new. The first time I read it is still small, it mainly depends on the plot. I like to imagine myself as a character in the story.
I imagine myself holding Cosette through the streets like Jean Valjean to avoid Javert’s pursuit, or hiding in the dark corner of Luxembourg Garden like Marius to catch my sweetheart. Light.
In the second reading, I mainly want to read the part of the book about revolution—from the turmoil of 1793 to the Paris riots of 1832—for historical review. Although history is still poorly understood, Jean Valjean has become the image of a saint in my heart alongside Xiao Feng.
I read it this time because I wanted to watch a movie, so I read it again. This time I tried my best to use my own heart to get close to the characters in the book, close to their hearts, to experience Jean Valjean’s anger, and to perceive Javert’s struggle.
There is a classic that makes people entangled because no one is guilty but suffers all the hardships, who is to blame? No one is blamed, but everyone is blamed.
12. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
This book can be said to be a well-known world-most famous book. This book mainly tells the story of a person who survived a shipwreck on an uninhabited island and how to spend a long time. This book tells us Don't give up hope at any time, and reasonably allocate and use the resources we have. What are world-famous books? This book was well-collected at that time.
No matter from which point of view, this book has the greatest impact on me. I finished reading this book when I was very young. The kind described in the book was a poor man who was once young but was manipulated by fate under the background of the sailing era.
Not only did he not die in a strange shipwreck. Or the barbaric natives attacked, instead of relying only on their own hands to build a small kingdom. He is struggling desperately! He didn't want to easily surrender to God's arrangement without a fight.
He worked hard every day to write a diary, teach the parrots to speak, and worked tirelessly to make his own farm. . . Is it just to survive? He can't forget to read the Bible every day, nor can he forget that he is a Christian.
13. The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas fils
La Traviata is of course one of the world’s masterpieces. “La Traviata” is a novel created by the French writer Alexandre Dumas, and it is also his masterpiece. The story tells a tortuous and sad love story between a young man and a socialist in Parisian high society.
Through the love tragedy of a prostitute, the work exposes the corrupt life of the upper class of the French July dynasty. A bloody and tearful complaint was made against the hypocritical morality of the aristocratic bourgeoisie. This is the first time in the history of French literature that a prostitute is a protagonist.
The novel can be summed up in one sentence, "A prostitute fell in love with a person and left him for his happiness, and finally died of illness and loneliness", but in the process of reading, I can really feel the heartache of La Traviata!
14. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The novel describes the daughter of Bennet, the young squire, who is among the five boudoirs. The protagonist is the second daughter Elizabeth. She met Darcy at the ball, but she heard that he was arrogant and always rejected him. After some setbacks, Elizabeth lifted her prejudice against Darcy, Darcy also let go of her arrogance, and the lover finally married.
This work uses daily life as the material and uses the content of the sentimental novels popular in society at that time and the pretentious writing method. It vividly reflects the conservative and occlusive life in the English villages and towns from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century. It has been adapted into movies and TV series many times.
It turned out to be such arrogance and prejudice. There is always a sense of familiarity when reading books, ah, Elizabeth’s mother has existed in my life, and so did Lydia. People like them only look in front of them and only look at themselves. They don’t care about ethics and morals.
There are also gentle people like the eldest sister, Bentley's sister-in-law, and Bentley's brother-in-law, snobbery, who all existed. Because of the beauty of the mother, the father had a fantasy of marrying, and he knew his nature for a year, but he could not change the marriage, so he had no choice but to treat him with cynicism.
This kind of thing is also very common nowadays. As for Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy, which leads to bias in seeing people, this should also be true. But because of their love, they corrected the fallacies caused by prejudice and arrogance, but I didn't have the chance to get the experience of correction.
A most famous book in the world
The most famous book in the world is a topic that has been widely debated and discussed. Many literary experts and book enthusiasts have their own opinions on what constitutes the most famous book in the world. However, one book that consistently appears at the top of most lists is the Bible.
The Bible is considered the most famous book in the world for several reasons. First and foremost, it is the most widely distributed book in history. The Bible has been translated into over 2,000 languages and dialects, making it accessible to billions of people around the world.
Secondly, the Bible has had a profound impact on the world. It has served as a spiritual guide for millions of people, providing comfort, wisdom, and inspiration. It has also played a significant role in shaping Western culture and civilization. Many of the values and principles that underpin Western society, such as the concept of justice, the importance of family and community, and the belief in a higher power, can be traced back to the Bible.
Additionally, the Bible has also been the subject of countless scholarly and literary works. It has been studied, analyzed, and interpreted by scholars, theologians, and literary experts for centuries.
However, it's worth noting that "the most famous book in the world" can be interpreted in many ways, and others may argue that books such as "The Quran" or "The Bhagavad Gita" can also be considered one of the most famous books in the world.
Overall, the Bible is widely recognized as the most famous book in the world due to its wide distribution, profound impact on society, and enduring legacy. It is a book that has stood the test of time and will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.
Honorable Mentions: Most popular books of all time
When it comes to the most popular books of all time, there are a few titles that immediately come to mind. These books have stood the test of time and continue to be read, loved, and studied by people of all ages and backgrounds.
Some of the most popular books of all time include:
The Quran: Considered the most sacred text in Islam, the Quran has been widely read and studied by Muslims around the world. It is the central religious text of Islam and is considered the literal word of God by Muslims.
The Bible: The Bible is considered the most popular book of all time. It is the most widely distributed book in history and has been translated into over 2,000 languages and dialects. It has played a significant role in shaping Western culture and civilization and continues to be a spiritual guide for millions of people around the world.
The Bhagavad Gita: One of the most popular books in Hinduism, The Bhagavad Gita is considered a sacred text in Hinduism. It is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: This is the personal diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who was forced to go into hiding during the Holocaust. The book was published posthumously in 1947 and has been translated into over 60 languages and is considered a powerful documentation of the Holocaust.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: This novel was published in 1951 and tells the story of teenage Holden Caulfield, who is expelled from his prep school and wanders around New York City before returning home. The book is considered a classic of modern literature and has been translated into numerous languages.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: This novel is a fable about a shepherd boy named Santiago who embarks on a journey to the pyramids of Egypt after having a recurring dream about a hidden treasure. The book has been translated into over 80 languages and has sold over 150 million copies worldwide.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: This comedic science fiction series is a popular cult classic. It's a satirical look at humanity, technology, and the universe.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: This novel is a story of seven generations of the Buendía family living in the fictional town of Macondo. The novel is considered a masterpiece of magical realism and has been translated into numerous languages.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: This thriller novel is a murder mystery set in the world of secret societies and symbology. The book has sold over 80 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into a film and video game.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: This novella is a philosophical children's story that has been translated into over 250 languages. The book tells the story of a young prince who leaves his home planet to explore the galaxy.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: This novel is a classic of gothic literature, it tells the story of a scientist who creates a monster from dead body parts. It has been adapted into numerous film and stage productions and is considered one of the most important works of science fiction in history.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: The Harry Potter series is one of the most popular book series of all time. It has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 80 languages. The series has become a cultural phenomenon and has spawned a successful film franchise, video games, and theme parks.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a classic fantasy novel that has gained a cult following. The series has been adapted into a film, video games, and stage productions, and is widely considered a masterpiece of fantasy literature.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic American novel that has been widely read and studied. It explores themes of racism, prejudice, and injustice, and has been adapted into a film, stage productions, and an opera.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit is a prequel to Lord of the Rings, it was written by J.R.R. Tolkien as a children's book. However, its popularity is such that it's read by all ages, it's a classic fantasy novel that has gained a cult following.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another classic novel that has stood the test of time. Published in 1925, the novel is considered a masterpiece of American literature. It explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties. The novel has been adapted into multiple film and stage productions and continues to be widely read and studied today.
1984 by George Orwell. This dystopian novel, published in 1949, is set in a totalitarian society where the government exerts total control over its citizens. The novel explores themes of government surveillance, censorship, and the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel's popularity has not waned over time and its themes continue to be relevant today.
These books have captured the imaginations of readers around the world and have left a lasting impact on literature and culture. They are considered classics that continue to be read and enjoyed by people of all ages.
It's worth noting that this is not a comprehensive list and there are many other books that can be considered the most popular books of all time, depending on personal preferences, cultural significance, and other factors.
FAQs for "Most Famous Books in the World"
Q: What are the most famous books in the world?
A: The most famous books in the world can vary depending on the criteria used to define "fame." Some commonly cited examples include the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, the works of William Shakespeare, and the Harry Potter series.
Q: What are the most popular books of all time?
A: The most popular books of all time can vary depending on factors such as cultural significance, critical acclaim, and sales. Some examples of popular books include the Bible, the Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Q: Why are these books considered to be famous?
A: These books are considered famous for a variety of reasons. Some are famous for their literary merit, while others have become cultural phenomena. The Bible, for example, is considered the most widely distributed book in history and has had a profound impact on society. The Harry Potter series, on the other hand, has become a cultural phenomenon and has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
Q: Are there any other books that could be considered famous?
A: Absolutely! The list of famous books is constantly evolving and can depend on personal preferences. Other books that could be considered famous include To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and 1984.
Q: Are these books only famous in certain countries or cultures?
A: Some of the books on this list have global fame, such as the Bible and the Harry Potter series. Others may be more famous in certain countries or cultures. For example, the Bhagavad Gita is considered one of the most famous books in India.
Q: How can I read these famous books?
A: Many of these books are available in libraries, bookstores, and online retailers. Some of them may be available in digital formats or as audiobooks. Some libraries also offer e-book and audiobook lending services.
Q: How can these books be used in education?
A: Many of these books are considered classic literature and are often studied in schools and universities. They can be used to teach students about different time periods, cultures, and literary techniques. Additionally, these books can also be used to spark discussions about important social and political issues.
Q: What are the best-selling books of all time?
A: The best-selling books of all time are often measured by the number of copies sold. Some examples of best-selling books include the Bible, the Harry Potter series, the Quran, and the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.
Q: Is the Bible the best-selling book of all time?
A: Yes, the Bible is widely considered the best-selling book of all time. It has been translated into over 2,000 languages and dialects and has sold billions of copies worldwide.
Q: What is the best-selling book series of all time?
A: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is widely considered the best-selling book series of all time. It has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 80 languages.
Q: What is the most-read book in the world?
A: The Bible is considered the most-read book in the world. It is estimated that over 3.9 billion copies of the Bible have been sold worldwide, and it is the most translated book in history.
Q: What is the most famous book in the world?
A: The most famous book in the world can be interpreted in different ways. However, the Bible is considered the most famous book in the world due to its wide distribution, profound impact on society, and enduring legacy.
