Sunday Special: The 100 Best Books of the Century (So Far)
In this episode of The Daily, the composition and surprising results of a list of the best books of the 21st century are dissected. Over 500 literary professionals contributed ballots, aiming to capture a snapshot of current preferences. The panelists analyze standout entries, from Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" claiming the top spot to George Saunders' distinctive voice resonating across multiple works.
The discussion also highlights notable trends and omissions, including the prevalence of literary fiction over genre fiction, the absence of acclaimed autobiographical works like "My Struggle," and the impact of novels providing escapism through historical or dystopian settings during turbulent times.
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1-Page Summary
The Composition and Critical Reception of the 100 Book List
Over 500 literary professionals contributed ballots to compile a list of the best books of the 21st century. The selection process aimed to capture a snapshot of literary preferences at a given time, including quirky but impactful choices, according to Scott Heller and Gilbert Cruz.
"My Brilliant Friend" Tops the List
The panelists expressed surprise that Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" claimed the number one spot. Tina Jordan and Joumana Khatib speculate this may be due to the book's rich female friendships, "Ferrante Fever," and serialized format allowing deep character development.
Khatib and Cruz discuss Ferrante's pseudonymous identity fueling intrigue, while Khatib highlights the enduring popularity and complexity of the Neapolitan Quartet over 1,000 pages.
Literary Fiction Favored Over Genre Fiction
The list skewed towards literary fiction over commercial bestsellers and genre fiction. Cruz questions if respondents prioritized "literary value" over pure readability, echoing Jordan's sentiment that personal greatness criteria may have guided selections.
Genre Representation on the List
Nonfiction Diversity
While underrepresented, the nonfiction works showcased a range of styles: biographies (Douglass), histories (Caro's LBJ volume), investigative works ("Say Nothing"), and memoirs ("H is for Hawk," "Random Family").
Historical Fiction Prevalence
Historical fiction novels resonating with modern readers had a strong presence, potentially offering an "escape" from present-day realities while exploring relevant themes.
Dystopian Fiction Presence
The panelists expected more dystopian and bleak fiction on the list, suggesting an audience preference for less emotionally taxing stories during challenging times.
Notable Entries and Omissions
George Saunders' Distinctive Voice
Saunders stood out with three books, praised by Khatib for humorously tackling difficult subjects and making profound experiences feel manageable. Heller notes Saunders' MFA influence.
Acclaimed Early 2000s Works ("The Corrections," "The Known World")
These novels retained cultural resonance, securing their status as influential early 21st century works.
Karl Ove Knausgård's "My Struggle" Absence
Surprisingly, Knausgård's acclaimed autobiographical series was omitted, perhaps due to votes being divided across the six volumes.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- The selection process may not fully represent the diversity of literary preferences, as it is limited to the opinions of literary professionals who may have similar tastes or biases.
- The number one spot for "My Brilliant Friend" could be seen as a trend rather than a testament to its literary merit, as popularity can sometimes overshadow other deserving works.
- The favoring of literary fiction over commercial bestsellers and genre fiction might overlook the quality and impact of works in those categories, which can also offer significant literary value.
- The range of nonfiction styles included may still not be representative of the full diversity within nonfiction literature.
- The strong presence of historical fiction could be interpreted as a preference for escapism over confronting contemporary issues through literature.
- The lack of dystopian and bleak fiction might not accurately reflect the public's interest in these genres, which can offer critical insights into society and the human condition.
- George Saunders' prominence on the list could be seen as favoritism or a reflection of a particular literary circle's influence rather than a broad consensus on his work's value.
- The cultural resonance of early 2000s works like "The Corrections" and "The Known World" might be subject to change as more time passes and new works emerge.
- The omission of Karl Ove Knausgård's "My Struggle" series could be a missed opportunity to acknowledge a work that has had a significant impact on contemporary autobiographical literature.
Actionables
- You can explore the impact of literary trends by starting a book club focused on titles from different years to see how preferences have changed over time. Gather friends or join an online community and select books from various years, then discuss how the themes and styles reflect the era they were published in.
- Create a personal reading challenge to diversify your literary consumption by choosing books from genres you typically overlook. Make a list that includes literary fiction, nonfiction styles like memoirs or investigative works, and historical fiction, aiming to read at least one from each category every few months to broaden your perspective.
- Develop a deeper understanding of narrative success by reading "My Brilliant Friend" and then watching its serialized adaptation. Compare your own reactions to the story in both formats to understand how different storytelling methods can influence the reception and success of a narrative.
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The composition and critical reception of the 100 book list
In discussing the creation of the list of the best books of the 21st century, panelists reveal insights into the selection process and public reaction to the surprising choices.
The panel extensively discussed how the list was compiled, with over 500 novelists, poets, critics, editors, and readers providing their ballots.
The list's compilation process was thorough and included opinions from a wide range of literary professionals. Scott Heller emphasized that many contributors were open about their selections, even if they were quirky or not widely voted for by others. Gilbert Cruz likened the list to a snapshot of preferences at a specific time, without focusing only on bestsellers or award winners. Scott Tureaud, for instance, included all four books of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet on his ballot, highlighting how individual choices could reflect personal impact and the expected longevity of works.
The panelists expressed some surprise at the number one book, Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend," which launched the Neapolitan Quartet series.
Both Tina Jordan and Joumana Khatib were surprised to find "My Brilliant Friend" at the top of the list. They considered various reasons why Ferrante's work resonated so deeply with readers, from the intricacy of the female friendships it portrayed to the "Ferrante Fever" that surrounded the books and their HBO adaptations. The series' long, serialized format and thorough character development were speculated as factors that might have enabled it to make a more impactful and enduring impression than other popular works like "Gone Girl."
Ferrante's pseudonymous identity and the enduring popularity of the Neapolitan books contributed to their top placement on the list.
The panel also discussed Elena Ferrante's pseudonymous identity and the enduring appeal of her books. Gilbert Cruz and Joumana Khatib touched on the intrigue surrounding Ferrante's real identity, while Khatib pointed out the sustained popularity and complexity of Ferrante's storytelling, especially as experienced over a thousand pages across the Neapolitan Quartet.
The ...
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The composition and critical reception of the 100 book list
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Counterarguments
- The selection process may have been biased due to the overrepresentation of certain types of literary professionals, such as literary fiction writers over genre fiction writers.
- The list may not accurately reflect the broader reading public's preferences, as it was compiled by a specific group of literary professionals.
- The surprise at "My Brilliant Friend" topping the list could suggest a disconnect between the panelists' expectations and the actual impact of the book on the contributors.
- The emphasis on literary fiction might overlook the cultural significance and craftsmanship of genre fiction and commercial bestsellers.
- The panelists' concern about the absence of books like "Gone Girl" raises questions about the criteria used for judging "greatness" in literature.
- The focus on individual choices and personal impact could lead to a list that is less about the collective cultural impact and more about niche personal experiences.
- The discussion about Elena Ferrante's pseudonymous identity might imply an undue focus on author mystique over the content and quality of the w ...
Actionables
- You can explore diverse literary genres by setting a monthly reading challenge to pick a book from a genre you typically overlook, such as science fiction, romance, or fantasy, to broaden your understanding of different storytelling methods and themes.
- By intentionally selecting books outside of your comfort zone, you'll gain exposure to the narrative techniques and character developments that are unique to these genres. For example, if you usually read literary fiction, try a month where you read a classic science fiction novel like "Dune" by Frank Herbert, followed by a contemporary one like "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers to compare the evolution of the genre.
- You can create a personal literary time capsule by writing down your top five favorite books of the year, along with a brief note on why each made an impact on you, and revisit this list annually to see how your tastes and perspectives evolve over time.
- This activity not only serves as a personal reflection but also as a way to track the influence of different life stages on your literary preferences. For instance, a book that resonated with you due to its depiction of friendship or adventure might shift to one that offers insight into family dynamics or personal growth as your circumstances change.
- You can initiate a 'Hidden Gems' book club with friends ...
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The representation of different literary genres and styles on the list
The podcast panel explores the diversity of genres represented on a noteworthy list of books, noting an array of both nonfiction and fiction works.
The list featured a diverse array of nonfiction, including biographies, histories, memoirs, and investigative reporting.
Despite nonfiction being underrepresented compared to fiction, the books on the list spanned a wide range of subjects and styles. For instance, the podcast mentions well-regarded nonfiction works like the Frederick Douglass biography, Robert Caro's monumental fourth volume in his series on Lyndon B. Johnson, and "Say Nothing," a work characterized as investigative true crime. Additionally, they discuss memoirs such as "H is for Hawk" and "Random Family" by Adrienne Nicole LeBlanc, showcasing the variety within the nonfiction genre.
The panel highlighted the strong presence of historical fiction on the list, with many novels set in the past exploring themes relevant to the 21st century.
The prevalence of historical fiction on the list was seen as potentially reflecting a desire to escape the realities of the contemporary world. These narratives, while set against the canvas of the past, often offer commentary and insight into issues and challenge ...
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The representation of different literary genres and styles on the list
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The diversity of nonfiction genres does not necessarily equate to a balanced representation of all nonfiction areas; some topics may still be underrepresented.
- The range of subjects and styles within nonfiction on the list might not fully capture the breadth of contemporary nonfiction writing.
- The inclusion of well-regarded works like the Frederick Douglass biography and others may overshadow lesser-known but equally valuable nonfiction works.
- The discussion of memoirs such as "H is for Hawk" and "Random Family" might not reflect the full diversity of the memoir genre, which includes a wide array of personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.
- The strong presence of historical fiction could be seen as a trend rather than a balanced representation of readers' interests, potentially neglecting other fiction genres.
- While historical fiction offers insight into modern issues, it may also romanticize or ...
Actionables
- You can create a personal reading challenge that focuses on nonfiction genres you're less familiar with to broaden your perspective. Start by identifying the genres you typically avoid, such as biographies or investigative reporting, and set a goal to read at least one book from each of these categories over the next few months. This will not only diversify your knowledge base but also give you a taste of different writing styles and subjects.
- Develop a book club with friends or community members that centers around historical fiction with contemporary relevance. Each month, select a historical fiction book that provides commentary on modern issues, and hold discussions on how the themes relate to current events. This can enhance your understanding of how history informs present-day challenges and discus ...
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Notable books and authors that appeared on the list
The hosts discuss notable inclusions and surprising omissions in a recent list that highlighted significant literary contributions, shedding light on the diverse tastes within the reading and critical communities.
George Saunders had three books included, showcasing his distinctive voice in short stories and novels.
George Saunders, an author renowned for his unique voice in both short stories and novels, stood out on the list with three entries, including "Lincoln in the Bardo" and two of his story collections.
Saunders' ability to tackle difficult emotional and social themes with humor and empathy was praised by the panelists.
Joumana Khatib praises Saunders for his ability to touch on significant subjects in a style that is both bizarre and humorously poignant, thereby making substantial human experiences seem manageable. Scott Heller adds that Saunders' work notably influences taste within MFA programs, possibly shaping the current generation of writers.
The inclusion of several landmark works, such as "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen and "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones, demonstrated the list's recognition of influential early 21st century fiction.
On the list, works like "The Corrections" (2001) and "The Known World" (2003) firmly retain their resonance among readers and critics, marking their significance as landmark fiction of the early 21st century.
The panelists were pleased to see these acclaimed novels from the early 2000s still resonating with readers and critics.
The absence of any books from Karl Ove Knausgård's acclaimed "My Struggle" series was not ...
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Notable books and authors that appeared on the list
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Counterarguments
- While George Saunders' inclusion is notable, some may argue that other authors also deserve to be recognized for their contributions to literature and that featuring three books by one author could overshadow equally deserving works.
- Saunders' style, while unique, might not resonate with all readers or critics, and some may find his approach to difficult themes through humor and empathy less effective or too unconventional.
- "The Corrections" and "The Known World," despite their acclaim, might not be as universally regarded as landmark fiction by all critics or within all reading communities, with some arguing that other works have been more influential or representative of the early 21st century.
- The pleasure expressed by the panelists over the continued resonance of novels from the early 2000s might not be shared by all readers or cr ...
Actionables
- Explore the craft of storytelling by writing a short story that incorporates humor and empathy to address a challenging social issue, inspired by Saunders' approach.
- Start by choosing a current social issue that resonates with you. Then, brainstorm ways to infuse humor into the narrative without diminishing the seriousness of the topic. This could be through quirky characters, ironic situations, or witty dialogue. As you write, focus on creating empathetic characters whose experiences offer insight into the issue. Share your story with friends or a writing group to see if your blend of humor and empathy effectively conveys the theme.
- Create a personal reading challenge to explore influential fiction from the early 2000s, similar to "The Corrections" and "The Known World."
- Make a list of acclaimed novels from that era, excluding the ones mentioned in the podcast. Set a goal to read one book per month, and after each book, write a brief reflection on how the themes and characters resonate with today's world. This will deepen your understanding of why these works are considered influential and how they remain relevant.
- Start a book club focused on overlooked series ...
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