Best Novels

I have put a link, which is "100 Best Novels of 20th Century", in the sidebar of this blog. There are the "Board's List" and the "Reader's List". The novels listed in the Board's List were chosen by Random House and some experts I think. And the result of the Reader's List comes from a poll.

You don't have to take a close look to distinguish the difference between the two lists. One apparent, and interesting, phenomena is that Ayn Rand's works are highly praised by general readers, but do not show even one on the Board's List. It is also interesting that Ulysses ranks no. 11 on the Reader's List. It exceeds my expectation since I originally do not think Ulysses is as welcome as it shows.

Personally I prefer the Board's List. The main reason maybe that I don't think Ayn Rand's works deserve such high ranking. And this kind of result affects my intention to rely on the Reader's List. Ayn Rand's works are good, no doubt about that, but not great. Atlas Shrugged is an epic work and I have read part of the book. The philosophy of this book is strong, which is the most apparent attibute of Rand's works. But the aesthetic elements of this work are not as great as those of many books listed on the Board's List. The most welcome or the most influencial works might not necessarily be the best works.

Of course the choosing of no matter what kind of "Best" lists would involve one issue, which is the value principles or system on which the choosers base. Of course the coming out of Board's List has its value principles behind. And the value principles are sometimes challenged. So to the most basic point, there might not be an universally "best" novels list, only the individually "best" novel list. Art is not like science. Unlike The theory of Relativity, Ulysses can not be proved to be great in its art value.

The lists are of novels of 20th century. Some serious readers probably would ask about 19th century. Man, the choosing of "best" 19th novels might be a more challening task. There are so many good or great works out there. Some authors have produced 3~5 or more good or great works single-handedly. And there are so many masters or master-to-be's out there. Some says that if we put together the novels of 19th century and 20 century to make a ranking, novels of 19th century would outweigh those of 20th century. Highly probable, but not necessary. The issue is still to be the subjective value.

Anyway, it is exciting that there are so many wonderful works there waiting to be read and appreciated. We don't have to worry about the coming of the day when there is no great work to read, which means we never ever have to worry that there is no pleasure to be enjoyed in our life. And that, most important of all, is great.