This article was first published on December 15, 2024

The landscape of celebrated 20th-century literature is dominated by themes of murder, despair, and totalitarianism, with occasional whimsical elements like hobbits. Leading the pack as the most popular title is George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, which has sold over 400,000 copies since 2019. This novel serves as a haunting critique of a totalitarian regime and is emblematic of a broader trend in literature that has appealed to readers amid social and political turmoil.

Orwell’s work is not alone in the ranks of bestselling 20th-century novels; it is followed closely by Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic Dune, Margaret Atwood’s chilling The Handmaid’s Tale, and Orwell’s own Animal Farm. This trend towards dystopian narratives reflects a collective consciousness grappling with uncertainty and societal collapse, perhaps fueled by recent events, including Brexit, political upheaval, and a global pandemic.

Utilizing data from Nielsen BookScan, which tracks the Sunday Times Bestseller list, we compiled a ranking of the top 50 bestselling fiction titles from the 20th century purchased in the UK over the last five years. The resulting list showcases an array of works steeped in fear and paranoia, including classics like Lord of the Flies, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451, along with two notable novels by Philip K. Dick, The Man in the High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the latter being the inspiration for the film Blade Runner.

Another noteworthy entry at number five is Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, a captivating novel from 1992 that commences with a murder. Set among Classics students at a secluded New England university, this story has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to its appeal on platforms like TikTok, where its aesthetic of ‘dark academia’ has captivated a new generation.

Modern trends in literature, influenced by social media, television adaptations, and education curricula, play a significant role in shaping reading preferences. For instance, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar has gained traction, surpassing JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye in popularity. This phenomenon extends to other poignant works that resonate with the tumultuous experience of adolescence, raising questions about the consumption of literature among younger audiences amid discussions on sensitivity in content.

The presence of Marian Keyes’s 1997 novel, Rachel’s Holiday, at position 14 in this compilation is noteworthy. While it presents a comedic narrative, it fundamentally addresses issues such as alcohol addiction and recovery, and it stands out as one of the limited entries by female authors in a predominantly male-dominated list of modern classics.

Examining the authors’ backgrounds reveals a heavy presence of American literature, with 23 publications by American writers compared to 20 from British authors. Renowned classics such as The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Beloved showcase the enduring appeal of American storytelling, while British contributions like Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day provide a contrasting voice of English literature.

This compilation suggests that themes of despair often prevail, leading readers toward works that explore darkness, conflict, and existential dread rather than lighter or romantic narratives. It raises intriguing questions about the nature of enjoyment in literature and invites speculation on where readers might seek wonder and enchantment in their choices.

The rankings were generated using UK print sales figures for works published before 2000, covering the five-year period ending June 29, 2024.

The Top 50 Modern Classics

50. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (1983)

A lawyer’s journey to a haunted house leads to dramatic revelations in this chilling ghost story.

49. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (1952)

The struggles of Santiago, an old fisherman, as he battles to catch a giant marlin after 84 days without success.

48. Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (1956)

A poignant tale set in Paris, where David confronts his feelings for Giovanni while facing a long, emotional night.

47. The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (1983)

The inaugural novel of the Discworld series follows the hapless wizard Rincewind on his misadventures.

46. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick (1968)

Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter in a futuristic world, searches for androids posing as humans.

45. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955)

A disturbing yet beautifully written narrative of obsession from the perspective of Humbert Humbert.

44. Misery by Stephen King (1987)

A writer encounters a nightmare when he is rescued by an obsessed fan after a car accident.

43. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)

As absurdity reigns, Captain Yossarian tries to survive the contradictory realities of war.

42. A Place of Execution by Val McDermid (1999)

A journalist’s investigation into a historical disappearance uncovers unexpected complications.

41. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick (1962)

An alternative history where the Axis powers triumphed in World War II paints a bleak picture of life in the 1960s.

40. Antarctica by Claire Keegan (1999)

A collection of short stories examining the complexities of relationships and personal choices.

39. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)

A butler reflects on his life and the sacrifices made in service to his employer while grappling with unexpressed love.

38. A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin (1996)

The opening novel of A Song of Ice and Fire introduces the treacherous world of Westeros.

37. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939)

A suspenseful tale of ten strangers brought to an isolated island, where they meet a deadly fate one by one.

36. No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai (1948)

A profound exploration of identity and alienation through the journals of a confused young man.

35. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)

A haunting narrative of a mother’s complex memories of her deceased daughter and the horrors of slavery.

34. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967)

This landmark novel chronicles the Buendía family across generations in the magical town of Macondo.

33. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979)

The misadventures of Arthur Dent unfold across the galaxy after the Earth is demolished.

32. The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien (1977)

A compilation of tales and histories set in Middle-earth, revealing the myths leading up to The Lord of the Rings.

31. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (1969)

The sequel to Dune examines the complexities of power and leadership on the desert planet Arrakis.

30. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)

This epistolary novel tells Celia’s journey of empowerment through relationships and self-discovery.

29. The Man with No Face by Peter May (1981)

In the backdrop of political intrigue, journalist Neil Bannerman uncovers a murder mystery in Brussels.

28. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (1991)

A chilling exploration of materialism and alienation through the eyes of a wealthy, psychopathic banker.

27. The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

Jack Torrance’s winter stay at an isolated hotel spirals into madness, endangering his family.

26. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)

In a dystopian future, fireman Montag discovers the power of literature as he begins to question his society’s ban on books.

25. The Lord of the Rings boxed set by JRR Tolkien (1937-49)

The epic saga of two hobbits tasked with destroying a powerful ring, receiving critical acclaim across generations.

24. It by Stephen King (1986)

The haunting saga of Pennywise the clown captivates and terrifies children in a small town.

23. Die Trying by Lee Child (1998)

In this second installment of the Jack Reacher series, Reacher and an FBI agent fight for survival against a radical militia.

22. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

A newlywed grapples with the haunting legacy of her husband’s first wife at the grand estate of Manderley.

21. The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (1993)

A haunting reflection on the lives of five sisters who take their own lives, observed through the eyes of neighborhood boys.

20. Tripwire by Lee Child (1999)

Jack Reacher dives into a treacherous investigation when a supposed missing veteran resurfaces, entangling him in danger.

19. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (1987)

Watanabe reflects on his days in college in Tokyo, caught between two vastly different women.

18. The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (1951)

Holden Caulfield’s disillusionment with the adult world leads him through a journey filled with angst and searching.

17. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

The perils of a controlled society where happiness is mandated raise questions of human connection and individuality.

16. Killing Floor by Lee Child (1997)

The introduction of Jack Reacher unfolds as he confronts justice and survival in a small town.

15. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937)

Two ranch workers aspire to fulfill their dreams against the backdrop of the Great Depression.

14. Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes (1997)

Rachel Walsh faces the consequences of her lavish lifestyle as her sister sends her to rehab.

13. Westwind by Ian Rankin (1990)

A technician uncovers a conspiracy surrounding Britain’s only spy satellite when it mysteriously goes offline.

12. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1990)

This comic tale spins prophecies of the apocalypse into a humorous narrative featuring unlikely characters.

11. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1993)

Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, embarks on a transformative journey to discover his own destiny.

10. Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

A group of boys stranded on a deserted island descend into savagery as civilization unravels.

9. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963)

Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel tackles mental illness through the poignant story of Esther Greenwood.

8. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (1937)

Bilbo Baggins’s adventure to reclaim his home from the dragon Smaug sets the stage for Middle-earth’s legendary tales.

7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

This novel portrays moral growth and social justice lessons as Scout Finch navigates childhood in Alabama.

6. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

Narrated by Nick Carraway, this Jazz Age classic reflects on ambition, love, and the American Dream.

And the top 5…

5. The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992)

Richard Papen’s life transforms at a liberal arts college in Vermont, entangled with a group of enigmatic Classics students surrounding a murder. This debut work has become a staple of dark academia.

4. Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

A group of animals aspire to equality but face tyranny under the pigs’ rule, creating a profound political allegory reflective of Stalinist Russia.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

In a dystopian society overtaken by the Republic of Gilead, Offred serves as a staple of oppression and resistance, reflecting troubling realities of women’s rights.

2. Dune by Frank Herbert (1965)

The tale of Paul Atreides unfolds as he navigates betrayals on Arrakis, entwined with themes of prophecy, politics, and ecology, recently reignited by a film adaptation.

1. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1949)

This seminal work encapsulates a cringe-worthy prophecy of totalitarianism, exploring themes of surveillance, love, and rebellion in a dismal future. Orwell’s portrayal of Big Brother and the Thought Police continues to resonate, highlighting the fragility of freedom.

What is your favourite 20th-century novel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.