On Fridays the Daily Feature spotlight turns to recommended reading lists in the feature called RobAroundBookLists, and this week is the turn of the 100 Best Novels list from the Modern Library, a Division of Random House Publishing.
What makes this list interesting, aside from the wealth of excellent titles it contains (although be warned the list is 10 years old now so no titles from the last decade), is that there is not just one list here but two; one compiled by the Modern Library Board, and one voted for by the visiting readers via poll. Both lists are presented side-by-side so one can see at a glance how different the opinions are between the Board and the readers. The Top 10 in both lists contain entirely different titles and it is not until No. 11 on the reader’s list that we see a title from the Board’s Top 10 (which interestingly is their No. 1, the hugely profound Ulysses by James Joyce).
I’m not overly taken with the reader list if I have to be quite honest (as far as the Top 10 goes at least). The readers seemed quite enamoured by Ayn Rand with four titles filling slots in the Top 10 (Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 positions respectively), and they also show an affinity for sci-fi writer and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard with 3 titles in the Top 10 – Battlefield Earth, Mission Earth and Fear. Thankfully the list does improve after that and becomes much more useful and well-rounded, with many of the titles you’d expect to see on the list being there. I much rather prefer the Board’s version of the Best Novel list. It’s well-rounded from the outset, with an eclectic mix of authors and titles in the Top 10, and this a trend that repeats itself throughout the list.
I can’t remember now just how many titles for my ’50 Novels’ reading list came directly from this Modern Library’s Best Novel list(s) but I know it was influential. Overall it’s a great starting point for seeking out solid reads and I highly recommend you check it out. While you’re there you may also wish to check the Modern Library’s alternative best non-fiction list, which follows the same side-by-side Board/Reader list pair. Be warned though, the readers affinity with Ayn Rand and L. Ron Hubbard transpires here too with related titles filling the top two spots.
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robert, are you trying to sabotage me LOL – don’t you know i’m easily side-tracked?
i have to catch up on your new site and book challenge progress! thomas pynchon has me in such a funk right now…not that he isn’t exceptionally talented – i just crave a clear beginning, middle and end…although i suppose diversifying is a big part of undertaking a book challenge, isn’t it?
I agree – the Board’s list is much better in my opinion. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Scoop by Evelyn Waugh made it. (In case you haven’t read it, it is a fantastic read.)
I think this would make a good perpetual challenge
I can’t believe that To Kill a Mockingbird isn’t on the Board’s list. That was one the readers definitely got right.
I’ve only read four on the Board’s list, but I have about 20 more of them waiting on my to-be-read stacks. I’ve read 12 from the Reader’s list.
says:
@Krista – Methinks you’re trying to sabotage me too, what with all of this Pynchon evangelising. I think diversifying is an important part of any book challenge. Not only are you keeping things fresh, you’re opening yourself up to new stuff, and that to me is the most important part of a book challenge.
@Sharon – Oh my goodness Sharon! Here’s me thinking I’ve got a problem with jumping on to book challenges, but you and your perpetual book challenges – sheesh! [whispers:you're right though it would make a good reading challenge]
@Carrie – Well spotted on the marked absence of ‘Mockingbird’ from the Board’s list – hadn’t spotted that, and you’re right it is a bit strange not to be there.