World literary masterpieces. The best books of modern writers

Reading time: 26 min.

Magazine Big Rating brings to your attention best books of all time in the TOP-20 ranking. The list includes world bestsellers by domestic and foreign authors. Something in them catches, not letting go, and each of these works is worth reading at least once in a lifetime.

The great American writer Francis Fitzgerald touched upon the most hot topics dashing 1920s. Despite the chronological remoteness of the events described in the book, today many people find the novel close to their spirit. Fitzgerald was the first of the US prose writers to announce to the world the beginning of a new century - the "jazz age" and spoke on behalf of the "lost generation". Reading the novel "The Great Gatsby" you seem to plunge into the era jazz music and dry law. Using the main character as an example, Fitzgerald demonstrates the life path of those rich people who rose from the bottom thanks to bootlegging. The author shows his admiration for these personalities, but at the same time condemns their moral foundations and principles. Main character the novel represents american dream"of that time - he is a real darling of fate, who made a fortune for himself and achieved power. But are money and power capable of making a person truly happy? Don't forget about love too...

We are all accustomed to pirates as terrible and bloodthirsty creatures that commit robberies, rape women and kill everyone who gets in their way. Such is the opinion about the representatives of this "profession". In most cases, this is exactly what happens. But when there is an exception to the general rule, it is very interesting. It is precisely such an atypical pirate that the main character of the work of Rafael Sabatini, Peter Blood, is. Far from piracy, the young Irishman worked in the medical field and was, by the will of fate, drawn into the Monmouth uprising that broke out in England at the end of the 17th century. Absolutely uninvolved in the events of the rebellion, Peter Blood, among others, was accused of treason to the monarch and sentenced to death penalty. But luck smiled at the hero when the death sentence was replaced by exile in the southern colonies, where he went in the status of a slave. It is here that the young Blood has to start his career anew, only not as a bachelor of medicine, but as a pirate. Now the hero of the book has one goal - to regain freedom.

Any person sooner or later wants to take a break from the daily routine, pack up and go at least to big Adventure. It is not necessary to undertake an epochal climb to Elbrus or go to the wilds of the Amazon. Sometimes a short river boat trip, such as the Thames, is enough. Traveling in the company of your closest friends is already more fun, and even more so in the company of a small four-legged companion. The only important condition is a strictly male company. This is exactly what the three English bosom friends Harris, Jay and George decided to take a break from the bustle of the city while drinking tea. But having decided to implement the idea, the gentlemen realized that not everything is as simple as it might seem at first glance. Every little thing, starting with the collection and ending with an attempt to open canned food, turns into a funny and fun adventure for friends. And the presence in the boat of an extremely energetic fox terrier named Montmorency adds additional sparks of humor to the general fireworks of events. Jerome K. Jerome's novel "Three Men in a Boat, Not Counting the Dog" contains a lot of funny misunderstandings, hilarious collisions and comical situations from which our heroes get out of while maintaining a truly British sense of dignity.

One of the largest and undoubtedly the greatest creations of world literature. And although historians and writers have not fully figured out whether Homer really existed or was collectively, one thing is known for certain - the Iliad is a description of truly grandiose events.

The starting point of the story was the strong romantic attachment of the Trojan prince Paris, who burned with an ardent love for the most beautiful woman of that time - Helen. That's just the beauty, who reciprocated the young man, at that moment was already bound by marriage with the Spartan king Menelaus. When Paris, inflamed with passion, dared to kidnap his lady of the heart, the enraged husband of Elena declared war on Troy, gathering loyal kings and warriors under his banner. The scale of events was so great that even the gods of Olympus did not remain indifferent and took part in the war, predicting the victory of each of the chosen parties. The protracted struggle lasted for many years, reaping a bountiful harvest of death. Wives were widows, children were orphans. There is no worthy justification for any of the wars of mankind, just as there is none for the Trojan War. But for many centuries, the epochal nature of Homer's Iliad was preserved.

A controversial work, perceived by some as the notes of a madman, by others as a philosophical treatise, and by others as a fascinating fairy tale. Alice in Wonderland was written by the English mathematician, poet and writer Charles Dodgson, better known to us as Lewis Carroll. After many decades, critics can only guess what exactly the author was trying to convey to us by writing such an original work. There is only one way out - to read the novel and put forward your own theory.

The book tells us about a far from stupid, but slightly frivolous, girl Alice, who accidentally met the White Rabbit during her vacation. Noticing his pocket watch, and sensibly judging that rabbits do not have watches, Alice rushes after the White Rabbit in order to find out where he is in such a hurry. In pursuit of a nimble beast, our young adventurer falls safely down the rabbit hole. And now Alice is waiting for real miracles and amazing adventures that defy common sense. Or maybe you should not try to understand everything? After all, you can just dive into phantasmagoric world White Rabbit, smoking caterpillar, Cheshire cat, the Card Queen, to attend an unforgettable tea party with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. We assure you it won't be boring.

Delightful dystopia, frightening and beautiful at the same time. The author realistically depicts a society with the ideas of hedonism and consumerism flourishing in it. There is no place for love here, and sex is just a pleasant pastime. Huxley describes it so emotionally that it becomes scary to read, but it’s impossible to tear yourself away from the book. Here, people are created in a test tube, and the "manufacturers" initially choose who will be intellectually developed and who will be mentally retarded. Habitual human values ​​like self-development, culture, religion and knowledge are not needed for nothing and are not at all interesting. People seek only to have fun in any way they can, and enthusiastically waste their precious time on uninterrupted recreation. Reading "O wonderful new world”, you understand that everything described here is pure fiction, from cover to cover, but you never cease to be horrified by the similarity of the events described in the book with the vices of modern society. And this is the whole point of the work.

Outstanding French writer Alexandre Dumas was able to breathe life into a boring and tangled history battles, intrigues and political games of the French court. The main characters of Dumas' novel are the three brave musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis, as well as the young Gascon d'Artagnan, who arrived to conquer Paris. An ambitious young man came to the capital from the outback and dreams of getting into the service of His Majesty. d'Artagnan is agile, agile, cheerful and noble. But these features attract not only friends, but also enemies who want to see the young man on their side. Devoted to the king and queen, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan, a life full of conspiracies, intrigues, exploits and fights awaits. And the motto "One for all and all for one" confidently leads the heroes to victory.

The title of the novel is a reference to the song The Beatles, and the work itself is a demonstration of the complexity, sinuosity and intricacy life path any person. Murakami clearly showed a wide range readers that for confusion in making decisions and a painful choice of one's own path, it is not necessary to be a great person, because difficulties and trials can fall to the lot of each of us. Among these people is the protagonist of the novel, student Tooru Watanabe. The storyline consists of Tooru's story about his youth spent at the university, and the events that happen to him on this life stage. In the course of the story, the hero recalls his best friends Naoko and Kizuki. Tooru will tell about Kizuki's suicide and about rapid development relationship with Naoko. He will remember how the girl went to the clinic for treatment. He will tell about student riots and the girl Midori, who shed color on his gray life.

What is unique is the fact that even those of us who have never held this book in our hands are still aware of the plot of this tragic love story of a young man from the Montague family for a girl from the Capulet family. Yes, and the phrase: "There is no sadder story in the world than the story of Romeo and Juliet" can be heard even in the texts contemporary songs. The main characters of the novel were not originally destined to live happily ever after. Against them big and pure love both warring families took up arms. But the difficulties not only did not stop the lovers, but also pushed the representatives of the houses of Montague and Capulet to each other. Although the first meeting lasted only a few moments, this was enough for young people to realize the desire to be together forever. Their love was so strong that Romeo and Juliet were ready to give their lives for her. And if fate does not allow them to be together in this life, then at least their souls will be reunited in the next world.

Wonderful touching tale of adventure teddy bear. This character, which first appeared in England in the 1920s, is now famous all over the world. The story begins with a teddy bear given to the boy by his young father, Christopher Robin. The child names the toy Winnie, after a live bear living in the London Zoo. Further, father and son have fun writing stories together that could take place in real life with cute bear Winnie. So the bear cub has such friends as Piglet the pig, Kenga the kangaroo and her baby Little Roo, Eeyore the donkey, the owl, the rabbit and many others. Over the years, more than one generation of children managed to grow up on the stories of the adventures of a funny bear cub - about bees, about a heffalump and about Winnie's friends. An important fact what remains is that main character books do not lose their popularity among modern children. Apparently such a charmer as a teddy bear Winnie the Pooh, can not leave anyone indifferent.

Cleary's family chronicles have riveted the attention of readers at all times. That's just a different age audience perceives them far from the same. So young people are more interested in a love storyline that evokes sensual experiences about the fate of the main characters with an eternal intrigue - whether they should be together. To the younger generation needed bright colors, battles, action and intensity of passions. Older readers are interested in the complexity of the characters and relationships of the main characters. This audience is looking for a deep meaning in the work, knowing full well that it is not always hidden precisely in parts containing violent passions and many events.

In the center of the plot of this story is the large Cleary family, who moved to Australia from New Zealand. McCullough displays the entire palette of goals, motivations and actions of each character. But the main storyline is firmly connected with main character novel - Maggie, whose personal life the reader can track from the age of 4 years of the girl until her death at the age of 58.

Psychiatric hospitals with their inhabitants have always been a separate world, living by its own laws and rules. And since you have been brought here by a whim of fate, you will have to adapt to the existing order. This unspoken rule is fully extended to the hospital, which is described in the novel Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Everything changed with the appearance of a new patient in the psychiatric hospital - Randall Patrick McMurphy. Randall is a cunning criminal who masterfully portrays a madman in order to escape prison. Having settled into a new place, McMurphy makes acquaintances and begins to communicate with the local guests. Randel is overwhelmed with frank horror at the realization that there are absolutely healthy people in the hospital, no more crazy than himself. All of them stay in the hospital of their own free will, just trying to hide within its walls from the hardships of the outside world. And the patients are also very intimidated by Mildreth Ratched, a local nurse who runs the hospital and does not tolerate disobedience. McMurphy not only declares battle to the local order, but also tries to rescue patients from an unhealthy environment by showing them what a full life looks like.

AT scary worlds dystopias described by such literary geniuses like Ray Bradbury, consumerism reigns as the only value of humanity. True eternal values ​​like knowledge and age-old wisdom, enclosed in books, are subject to universal condemnation and even destruction. For the preservation of the great literary works or just books, people are condemned or sentenced to death. Burning books is becoming commonplace, and most of the people living in this world are accustomed to such a course of things. Those who do not understand the importance of this view of life are declared fools by society. Shared a similar philosophy and the main character of the work - Guy Montag. He worked as a "fireman" (in the context of this work) and was unshakable in his worldview. But his whole ideology went to hell when Guy met the one that managed to show him reverse side medals.

Perhaps Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 has not lost its relevance today precisely because of the flourishing era of consumerism in modern society. People have a lot to think about.

The brilliant works of Erich Maria Remarque had a great influence on the literary world of Germany. The novel "Three Comrades" immerses its readers throughout life, the depth of thoughts and feelings of people who went through the meat grinder of the First World War and managed to get out of it alive. And the book is not about the victims, but about the people who unleashed this very war. The protagonist of the novel - Robert Lokamp - tells about the problems and events that concern him. Robbie explains in detail that the most important things in a person's life are the people around him. He openly promotes the importance of friendship in relationships. But Robert also emphasizes that even being among people who understand and accept you unconditionally, you cannot always count on happiness. "Three Comrades" is a book about " lost generation» people trying to live in a difficult and ambiguous era.

With his epochal and loud fantasy novel, John Tolkien opened a new round literary fashion to works about elves, hobbits, wise and strong kings, great wizards, goblins and fire-breathing dragons. And although the first time The Lord of the Rings was published in the distant 1950s, readers still do not lose interest in it. Fans not only do not stop rereading Tolkien's work over and over again, but also review Peter Jackson's films, and also play games that managed to recreate the unique fairy world writer. The novel is about the Ring of Omnipotence and the uncompromising thousand-year war for the right to possess it. The young hobbit Frodo must travel through the hostile Mordor to the fiery Mount of Doom in order to destroy the Ring. In a difficult journey, Frodo is supported by friends (dwarves, humans, elves) and opposed by the evil Sauron, who is eager to get his Ring back and gain world domination. The plot of The Lord of the Rings attracts the reader with its unique atmosphere, allowing him to immerse himself in the world of elves, gnomes, hobbits, wizards and evil rulers.

In this work, Turgenev not only raised the eternal problem of fathers and children, but also, ahead of the wide spread of the ideas of nihilism in Russia, managed to show readers an example of an adherent of the movement in the form of Evgeny Bazarov. It was with this ardent supporter of nihilism that the young son of the landowner Kirsanov, Arkady, made a strong friendship. Fascinated by the ideas of a new acquaintance, Arkady sincerely accepts all the convictions of Bazarov. The young man even brings a newly-made friend to visit his father and uncle - Pavel Petrovich and Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. Representatives of the older generation of the family do not perceive the new youth philosophy, considering it too radical. That's just Nikolai Petrovich listens to the thoughts of the nihilist calmly and with a smile, and Pavel Nikolayevich goes into open conflict with Bazarov. Eugene is firm in his convictions, he is sure that he needs for life, rejects the old principles, not wanting to blindly accept them on faith, as people of the older generation do. The steadfastness of Bazarov's views was shaken after meeting the landowner Anna Odintsova, who aroused previously unknown feelings in the nihilist.

Although this work of the author is less well known compared to Lolita, it definitely deserves the close attention of readers. In his novel, Nabokov, in his unique manner, reveals the hidden nature of the human character and clearly demonstrates the blackness that can hide in the heart of a young and, at first glance, harmless creature. The events of the novel unfold in Germany, where the art critic Krechmar leaves his wife and daughter for sixteen-year-old Magda, a girl with a dubious biography. A man's love is so strong that even the death of his own daughter did not overshadow ardent passion to Magda. But happy living together was short-lived. The girl meets with the artist Gorn - her former lover. Past feelings flare up in them with new force and the couple begins to meet secretly from Kretschmar, since Magda is still financially dependent on him. For credibility, Horn appears to Kretschmar as a homosexual. Evil lovers are plotting, mocking Krechmar, gradually depriving him of his mind.

The events and actions of the book are presented from the point of view of Holden Confield and are a reflection of the perception of a 16-year-old boy to the reality around him. In his narration, Holden talks about the period of his life before entering the clinic for treatment. The story reveals to the reader the whole depth of hopelessness and experiences of a young man who remained misunderstood by the big and cruel world. At the same time, Holden does not fall into philosophical reasoning, does not express value judgments, he simply describes the events taking place and tries to understand what can give him a feeling of happiness. So the song he heard little boy about "the way you catch someone in the rye ..." leads Holden to understand happy moment. But, alas, it is impossible to achieve it, because the reality is completely different.

What do you know about the Green Mile? Do you know what the seemingly simple phrase hides in itself? But Paul Edgecombe, who worked as a warden in a prison long years, is well known about it. Now Paul is an elderly and infirm old man living out his days in a nursing home. He tells his friend about working in Block E of the Cold Mountain Prison, which has become the last refuge for convicted criminals. Here those waiting for the electric chair lived their final hours. The way to the place of execution of the suicide bomber passed along the corridor with painted green color floor. Thereby, last way suicide bomber and was named the "Green Mile". For many years in the service in prison, Paul Edgecomb lost the habit of being surprised at anything and completely stopped believing in miracles. Paul understands the full depth of his delusions after the appearance of the defendant John Coffey. This man is accused of murdering and raping little girls, but the catch is that Paul does not believe in Coffey's involvement in terrible crimes. After all, the new prisoner has an incredible gift - he heals anyone with his touch.

Moscow in the 1930s. On the Patriarch's Ponds, two writers are walking slowly, talking about the authenticity of the existence of Jesus Christ. Their discussion was suddenly interrupted mysterious person who calls himself a foreigner, but at the same time speaks flawlessly in Russian. The stranger confidently declares that Jesus lived, and also begins to talk about his personal presence during his conversation with Pontius Pilate. Writers are very skeptical about the story, considering the stranger crazy. But they did not suspect that they were dealing not with a crazy foreigner, but with Satan, who was visiting Moscow. And when a person of such magnitude decides to honor the city with his presence, there will certainly be surprises.

Most books read 2017, list of the best works

1. Gabriel José de la Concordia "Gabo" Garcia Marquez(b. March 6, 1927, Aracataca, Colombia) is a famous Colombian prose writer, journalist, publisher and political figure; recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Representative of the literary direction magical realism». world fame he brought the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad, 1967).

2. Umberto Eco(b. January 5, 1932, Alessandria, Italy) - Italian scientist-philosopher, medievalist historian, specialist in semiotics, literary critic, writer. Most famous novels- "The Name of the Rose" and "Foucault's Pendulum".

3. Otfried Preusler(b. October 20, 1923) - German children's writer, by nationality - Lusatian (Lusatian Serb). Most famous works: "Little Baba Yaga", "Little Ghost", "Little Water" and "Krabat, or Legends of the Old Mill".

4. Boris Lvovich Vasiliev(born May 21, 1924) - Soviet and Russian writer. Author of the story "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" (1969), the novel "Not on the Lists" (1974), etc.

5. Ion Druta(b. 09/03/1928) - Moldavian and Russian writer and playwright.

6. Fazil Abdulovich Iskander(03/06/1929, Sukhum, Abkhazia, USSR) - an outstanding Soviet and Russian prose writer and poet of Abkhaz origin.

7. Daniil Alexandrovich Granin(b. January 1, 1919, Volsk, Saratov province, according to other sources - Volyn, Kursk region) - Russian writer and public figure. Knight of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, Hero Socialist Labor(1989), President of the Society of Friends of the Russian national library; Chairman of the Board of the International charitable foundation them. D. S. Likhachev.

8. Milan Kundera(b. April 1, 1929) is a modern Czech prose writer, living in France since 1975. He writes in both Czech and French.

9. Thomas Transtromer(b. April 15, 1931 in Stockholm) - the largest Swedish poet of the XX century. Winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature "for the fact that his brief, translucent images give us a renewed view of reality."

10. Max Gallo(b. January 7, 1932, Nice) - French writer, historian and politician. Member of the French Academy

11. Jorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa(b. 03/28/1936) - Peruvian-Spanish prose writer and playwright, publicist, politician, winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature.

12. Terry Pratchett(b. April 28, 1948) is a popular English writer. The most popular is his cycle of satirical fantasy about the Discworld. The total circulation of his books is about 50 million copies.

13. Yuri Vasilievich Bondarev(b. 03/15/1924) is a Russian Soviet writer. The author of the novel Hot Snow", the story "Battalions ask for fire", etc.

14. Stephen Edwin King(b. September 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, USA) is an American writer working in a variety of genres, including horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, drama.

15. Viktor Olegovich Pelevin(born November 22, 1962, Moscow) is a Russian writer. The most famous works: "The Life of Insects", "Chapaev and Emptiness", "Generation "P""

16. Joanne Rowling(b. July 31, 1965, Yate, Gloucestershire, England) is a British writer, author of a series of Harry Potter novels, translated into more than 65 languages ​​and sold (as of 2008) in more than 400 million copies.

Fund classical literature replenished at different times outstanding geniuses their peoples and their era. We love them for the opportunity to plunge into the world of the distant past, so classical literature remains popular at all times.

Classical Literature: General Description

It happens that a certain mood makes us pay attention to classic books because the most famous works are often the best. Not in vain, because these the best works inspired by others famous authors- representatives of subsequent popular generations in literature. The golden classics, the eternal series of books, will be a salvation for those who are not attracted by modern literary works, because it was the authors from this list of classics who were genre pioneers long before the postmodern era came, and the literary world flared up with all the genre diversity that was difficult even imagine in the conditional XIX century. Nevertheless, all this became possible thanks to the classics, as evidenced by numerous reviews.

Books of world classics: list

As you know, classical works are not just books, but also markers of the era, which are considered exemplary examples of how the best of writers saw their literary heritage. In addition, most often the problems of classical works echo the worldview of a whole generation, which makes the mass reader love these books with all his heart. This is also the reason why these books are often included in school curriculum different countries, because such works help to understand what a whole section of society was thinking about and breathing in a specific time frame.

AT this list only some of the best examples of classical literature are given. But if you are wondering what to read from the literature included in the golden fund of world culture, then here you will definitely find something for yourself.

A good book is much more than a way to kill time. Wishing to get acquainted with unusual worlds, mysterious and strong characters and incredible adventures, the reader should take a closer look at the work of the most popular contemporary writers. Below are the most striking and famous works of recent decades - top 10 best modern books!

1. 11/22/63 (Stephen King)

Tops our list of the best modern books scientific fantasy novel Stephen King 11/22/63. The first publication of the work took place in 2011.

The assassination of J.F. Kennedy was one of the greatest tragedies in American society. A popular politician was shot right during a huge parade in front of thousands of Americans. Could the president have been saved? Surprisingly, the answer to this question remains to be known by a simple teacher! Jake Epping - Ordinary Resident small town who works at a school and is not much different from thousands of his fellow citizens. However, by the will of fate, it is he who gets the chance to go through the time portal, which is located in the back of the cafe with his old friend Al. The owner of the device has long wanted to find the killer of Kennedy, but the disease upset all plans, so Jake must replace him! Go back, straight to the 60s, live there for several years, figure out the future executioner and stop him on the day of a terrible tragedy! Will he be able to change the course of history and even go back?

2 American Gods (Neil Gaiman)

American Gods is one of the best modern fantasy books ever written. English writer Neil Gaiman in 2001.

America. Shelter of a huge number of migrants from all over the world. Looking for better share people went to an unknown continent, hoping to get settled there and find long-awaited happiness. However, they did not travel alone: ​​each visiting guest brought with him a piece of his native culture. Gods, beliefs, rituals, customs - this is the true luggage of the settlers! Will different deities be able to get along together and what promises such a neighborhood? Shadows, the main character, who has recently been released from prison, will have to find out. Once free, he finds himself in a series of strange events and mysterious crimes that need to be unraveled.

3. The Wind Runner (Khaled Hosseini)

Closes the top three best book by contemporary American writer Khaled Hosseini. The work was born in 2003.

What is true friendship? Sometimes adults find it very difficult to answer this question. Much easier for kids. Amir and Hasan - two absolutely different boy who share a true friendship. That's just one of them is an aristocrat, and the second is a poor servant! Coming from different social strata, they do not pay attention to the differences that are so important for adults. Playing, joking, sharing secrets and impressions, experiencing failures and knowing sorrow, the boys gradually grow up, and their friendship only becomes stronger. One day, serious changes are coming in the country that will test their strength and scatter friends across different parties. Can childhood friendship survive?

4. A Song of Ice and Fire (George Martin)

A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the most famous and best modern fantasy books. This is a whole series of works, consisting of five already published volumes. There are two more books in the pipeline. The first publication took place in 1996. The book gained particular popularity after the release of the series "Game of Thrones", filmed by HBO based on its motives.

The unique fantasy world is inhabited by far from good fairies and cheerful gnomes. This is a world of several powerful powers that are desperately fighting for their heart's content. Their goal is the throne of Westeros. Their means are weapons, intrigues, murders and rebellions. The palace of Verteros is filled with vile and greedy people who are eager to seize the throne at any cost. There is no place for honesty and nobility anymore. Arranging serious intrigues and organizing coups, the conspirators will do everything to undermine the situation in the kingdom. However, it is not only them that should be feared, because the cunning rulers of neighboring states are also not averse to snatching a “tidbit” during a cruel and blind turmoil! Coming real war for power, ready to bury the old order forever.

5. The house in which ... (Mariam Petrosyan)

“The House Where…” is an interesting contemporary fantasy novel by the Armenian writer Mariam Petrosyan, published in 2009.

On the edge of the city is a boarding school for abandoned children. This old and gray place seems very inhospitable and gloomy, but everything is not so simple... Once inside, a person can discover a new, unusual world in which there is more kindness and light than on the bright city streets. The pupils of the house are divided into groups, each of which has its own leader. There are no names and surnames here - only bright nicknames. There is a lot of unknown and very little familiar. These are miniature societies with their vices and virtues. Children learn about the world, growing up, changing and trying to find their place in it.

6. Book Thief (Markus Zusak)

"The Book Thief" - Fascinating modern novel Australian writer, written in 2006.

Liesel Meminger - small german girl, whose childhood fell on a truly monstrous time. In 1939, the Nazi regime reached its peak, destroying the recalcitrant and preparing to enslave the world. Horror, murder, robbery and terror have become daily companions of the life of those who did not suit new power. After the death of her husband, Frau Meminger moves, trying to find a quieter place for her daughter. But in vain... Looking around, Liesel sees the ongoing chaos through the eyes of an innocent child who does not understand this cruel and strange world adults. Growing up quickly, she has a lot to learn and rethink.

7 Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn)

Gone Girl is one of the best modern thriller books. The work was published in 2012 and became the basis of the film of the same name.

How hard it is to know a person, even if you have lived with him for many years! An unusual incident turns the fate of the protagonist when his wife suddenly disappears. During a stormy celebration of their wedding anniversary, a woman mysteriously disappears. Arriving police discover blood and signs of a struggle, deciding that the man killed his wife and hid her body. Now the bewildered man is left to solve this incredible puzzle himself. Who knows, maybe the answer will turn out to be even more monstrous than the disappearance itself ...

8 Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell)

The novel "Cloud Atlas" was written in 2004 by an English writer. Its plot is a complex interweaving of stories and destinies that, at first glance, nothing connects. An American lawyer stranded on a tropical island while a ship is being repaired; a young English musician forced to sell his music and body to earn a living; a brave Californian journalist fighting against a powerful corporation; a London publisher facing criminals after the release of yet another bestseller; a clone from a Korean anti-utopia and a Hawaiian old man watching the decline of human civilization. All events and characters go through a difficult path in different times gradually weaving together.

9. When I Was Real (Tom McCarthy)

Tom McCarthy's novel "When I Was Real" continues our top 10 best modern books.

A sudden catastrophe changed the life of a young man, crossing out his past. He finds himself in a long-term coma, from which he, fortunately, manages to get out. But such a long process did not pass without a trace: now he needs to learn to live anew. Walk, move, work with hands and talk. All past life comes in the form of vague memories, and the hero endlessly wants to return to his former self. Moreover, some large corporation is ready to pay him a lot of money to keep the cause of the incident a secret. How are they related? What happened that day? And how to become completely the same?

10 Anathem (Neil Stevenson)

And completes the top ten modern science fiction book "Anathem", written by American writer Neil Stevenson in 2008.

Arb is a distant and mysterious planet resembling Earth. People who worship science live here. Science, which completely replaced religion and managed to split society into two irreconcilable camps. Guardians of Science are monks who were once scientists. They once worked and created for the benefit of progress, but their work led to something terrible. Now the monks live in the monastery, closed from the outside, secular world. Their life is simple, calm and measured, but every ten years there comes a special date - the day when the two sides can change places. The monks will see the outside world, and secular people will be able to join the monastic life and worldview. Once such a change led to horrifying consequences, and now the two sides must unite to prevent the impending disaster!