1 of 116

Write now Article Tools

To narrow down the history of literature to five must-read books is an ambitious challenge. There are certainly more than five books that must be read, for many reasons: its influence in literature, its influence on people, its influence in politics, history, etc. But when asked to pick five books that everyone must read it didn't take me more than three second to come up with a list, which now I gladly will share:

1. Miguel de Cervates's "Don Quixote": If you know Spanish, read it in Spanish. If you are not, then it wouldn't be a waste of time to learn Spanish in order to read this book in its original language. Don Quixote's greatness comes from its ability to transcend generations, language and content wise. Cervantes is the founder of the anti-hero. Don Quixote is the image of the worn-out "caballero andante", the middle ages knight, chasing blindly his damsel in distress, ramming windmills, fighting lions, serving kings and sirs all in this widely metaphorical trip taken in the head of a man living in his books. It beautifully flows in sarcasm and mockery, its cunning, witty, comical. It revolutionized Spanish language, world literature, introducing such modern concepts as the book inside the book, Don Quixote entering the bookstore and seeing the first part of his adventures published. It was a "best-seller" in his time, 500 years ago, yet i have no doubt that it would have been one too, had it been published today. First in my list, a must for any anti-romantic lover of fine literature.

2. Gabriel Garca Mrquez's "Cien aos de soledad" ("One-hundred years of solitude"): Another masterpiece. Revolutionized an era in South American literature. The Nobel-prize winner Garca Mrquez takes the reader to a dreamed-up village, yet so naturally tangible and real as every other village in that part of South America. He takes the concept of the "real mgico", the magically real, and elevates it to a place where the language is so delightful the reader immerses him/herself and wishes to stay. The books is able to transform what is marvelous and amazing into one more aspect of everyday life. The book serves as a bible of "Macondo", the village to become town which flourishes and perishes through a matriarchy, a patriarchy, a general and a despot. In-depth descriptions of characters using the finest language and the most witty phrases, the book will seduce its reader and make of itself a sure favorite.

3. James Joyce's "Ulysses": For starters, a book must be good if it has

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Top five books everyone must read and why?
We want to hear your view. Write now!