books
Move over Middlemarch! Readers’ top 100 novels
After critics and authors picked their top 100, we asked readers for their favourite novels. Thousands of votes came in from around the world ... which overlooked masterpieces made the cut – and what has pushed George Eliot off the top spot?
TL;DR
- The Lord of the Rings is the readers' top choice for the greatest English novel, unseating George Eliot's Middlemarch.
- Reader selections span various genres and eras, including fantasy, Victorian literature, and modern classics.
- The list reflects the personal impact of books, with many readers citing profound meanings and childhood connections.
- Notable omissions include several prominent American and British authors, while other works have seen a resurgence in popularity.
- Humor and "lightness" in literature were also highlighted as important factors, with critiques of the perceived overemphasis on misery in some "best" novel lists.
- The sheer volume and variety of literature mean any list is incomplete, but such polls reveal the dynamic nature of literary appreciation and reader engagement.