Sunday Special: The 100 Best Books of the Century (So Far)
8Digest
This podcast episode from the New York Times Book Review delves into their list of the 100 best books of the 21st century so far. The episode begins with an introduction to the list, highlighting the collaborative effort and diverse perspectives involved in its creation. The discussion then focuses on the number one book, "My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante, exploring the reasons for its popularity and the significance of the Neapolitan Quartet series. The conversation shifts to notable omissions, such as "Gone Girl" and "Prep," prompting a discussion about the criteria for "best" and the potential overemphasis on "overliterate" choices. The editors discuss books they found particularly enjoyable on the list, highlighting the inclusion of graphic memoirs, historical fiction, and satire. They also address the balance between fiction and nonfiction, noting the diverse range of nonfiction works included. The editors discuss the international representation on the list, highlighting the inclusion of translated works and the prominence of dystopian novels, reflecting a potential response to the anxieties of the 21st century. The editors explore the impact of the digital era on the list, considering whether the books reflect a shift in reading habits and attention spans, and the potential influence of the internet on literary tastes. The episode concludes with the editors sharing their personal picks for books that were not included on the list but that they are particularly passionate about, highlighting a range of genres and authors. They also discuss the absence of any books from the "My Struggle" series by Karl Ove Knausgård, speculating on the reasons for its omission and the potential impact of the series' length.
Outlines
The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century So Far
This episode from the New York Times Book Review discusses their list of the 100 best books of the 21st century so far, analyzing the top pick, notable omissions, and the influence of the digital era on literary tastes.
Analyzing the Top Pick: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The discussion focuses on the number one book on the list, "My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante, exploring the reasons for its popularity and the significance of the Neapolitan Quartet series.
Notable Omissions and Cultural Moments
The conversation shifts to books that were not included on the list, such as "Gone Girl" and "Prep," prompting a discussion about the criteria for "best" and the potential overemphasis on "overliterate" choices.
Pleasurable Reads and Genre Representation
The editors discuss books they found particularly enjoyable on the list, highlighting the inclusion of graphic memoirs, historical fiction, and satire. They also address the balance between fiction and nonfiction, noting the diverse range of nonfiction works included.
International Representation and Dystopian Novels
The editors discuss the international representation on the list, highlighting the inclusion of translated works and the prominence of dystopian novels, reflecting a potential response to the anxieties of the 21st century.
The Influence of the Digital Era
The editors explore the impact of the digital era on the list, considering whether the books reflect a shift in reading habits and attention spans, and the potential influence of the internet on literary tastes.
Keywords
Elena Ferrante
Elena Ferrante is the pen name of an Italian author whose true identity remains unknown. Ferrante is best known for the Neapolitan Novels, a series of four books that explore the complex relationship between two women growing up in Naples.
Neapolitan Novels
The Neapolitan Novels, also known as the Neapolitan Quartet, is a series of four novels by Elena Ferrante that chronicle the lives of two friends, Lila and Lenù, from childhood to adulthood in Naples, Italy. The series explores themes of friendship, class, gender, and the complexities of life in post-war Italy.
My Brilliant Friend
"My Brilliant Friend" is the first book in the Neapolitan Novels series by Elena Ferrante. It introduces the characters of Lila and Lenù, two young girls growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples, and their intense and enduring friendship.
Dystopian Novel
A dystopian novel is a genre of fiction that depicts a future society that is characterized by oppression, social control, and a decline in human values. Dystopian novels often explore themes of power, technology, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
The Road
"The Road" is a post-apocalyptic novel by Cormac McCarthy, published in 2006. The novel follows a father and son as they journey across a desolate and dangerous landscape in search of survival after a cataclysmic event that has destroyed civilization.
Station Eleven
"Station Eleven" is a post-apocalyptic novel by Emily St. John Mandel, published in 2014. The novel follows a group of actors who travel across a post-pandemic world, performing Shakespeare plays and preserving the remnants of human culture.
Never Let Me Go
"Never Let Me Go" is a dystopian novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, published in 2005. The novel is set in an alternate reality where children are raised in a boarding school and trained to become organ donors.
Q&A
What are some of the reasons why "My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante was chosen as the number one book on the list?
"My Brilliant Friend" resonated with readers due to its exploration of the complexities of female friendship, its portrayal of life in post-war Naples, and its enduring impact on readers. The Neapolitan Quartet series as a whole has been widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance.
What are some of the notable books that were not included on the list, and why do you think they were omitted?
Some notable omissions include "Gone Girl," "Prep," and "Unbroken." The editors speculate that these books may have been overlooked due to the emphasis on "overliterate" choices or because they were considered too popular or commercially successful.
How does the list reflect the influence of the digital era on reading habits and literary tastes?
The editors discuss the potential impact of the internet and digital media on the list, suggesting that the prominence of historical fiction and long, immersive novels may be a response to the fragmented nature of online information and the desire for escape from the digital world.
What are some of the books that the editors would have liked to see included on the list?
The editors share their personal picks for books that were not included, including "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris, "Eat the Document" by Dana Spiotta, and "The Paying Guests" by Sarah Waters. These selections highlight a range of genres and authors that the editors believe deserve recognition.
Why do you think no books from the "My Struggle" series by Karl Ove Knausgård were included on the list?
The editors speculate that the series' length and the fact that it is a six-book set may have contributed to its omission. They suggest that readers may have chosen to vote for individual books from the series rather than the series as a whole.
Show Notes
Earlier this month, the New York Times Book Review rolled out the results of an ambitious survey it conducted to determine the best books of the 21st century so far. On this special episode of the Book Review Podcast, host Gilbert Cruz chats with some fellow Book Review editors about the results of that survey and about the project itself.
To read the full list, please visit: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html
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