Ranking the novels

1.The Only Story – Julian Barnes

What I appreciate most about this novel is its self-reflective nature. It compels me to interrogate my own memories and the comforting falsehoods I often tell myself. The character of Paul, particularly when he attempts to conceal aspects of his life that are nevertheless revealed unconsciously, adds to the novel's psychological realism. The narrative encouraged a deeper introspection and contributed significantly to my self-understanding, which is why I place it at the top of my list. 

2. Nineteen Eighty-Four – George Orwell

This novel presents a powerful critique of authoritarian regimes. It functions as a prophetic vision of totalitarianism, illustrating how such systems operate and maintain control. What I find most compelling is its critical lens through which contemporary politics and figures of authority can be examined. Orwell’s portrayal of fear and surveillance has a chilling effect, making the novel both urgent and haunting. It serves as a cautionary tale—a dire warning against the suppression of truth and individual freedom.

3. The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison

This was the first novel I read thoroughly, during my undergraduate studies. It was included in the syllabus during the pandemic lockdown, a time when I had more leisure and curiosity to delve deeply into literature. Morrison’s portrayal of Pecola's suffering and the brutal social realities she faces profoundly impacted me. The novel unflinchingly explores the systemic marginalization of Black individuals, particularly young girls, and critiques the societal standards of beauty and worth. It intensified my awareness of structural oppression and deepened my interest in literature.

4. The Namesake – Jhumpa Lahiri

Also part of my undergraduate syllabus, this novel evoked a strong sense of nostalgia and the complexities of diasporic identity. Lahiri masterfully captures the alienation and cultural dissonance experienced by immigrants. The character of Gogol (Nikhil) resonated with me, especially in the way the novel explores intergenerational conflict. It highlighted how, in youth, we often fail to grasp our parents’ struggles and intentions, only to realize their significance later—often when distance or loss has already occurred.

5. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness – Arundhati Roy

This novel presents a vast and inclusive narrative that touches upon numerous significant events in modern Indian history. It challenges dominant discourses and offers alternative perspectives on issues such as gender and sexuality, the Kashmir conflict, Naxalism, environmental degradation, and political unrest. Roy’s narrative encouraged me to critically engage with contemporary India and broadened my awareness of socio-political and ecological issues. It stands out for its commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and presenting a more complex, layered reality.

6. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

This novel offered a new perspective on monstrosity and raised fundamental questions about the nature of humanity. It challenges the binary of creator and creation, prompting readers to ask who the real “monster” is. Frankenstein critiques the reckless pursuit of scientific knowledge without ethical consideration and serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked scientific advancement. Within the framework of cultural studies, the novel inaugurates a tradition of portraying science as both a marvel and a threat, a duality still relevant today.

7. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Told from the perspective of a female protagonist, this novel revealed to me the importance of perspective in storytelling. It underlined how personal biases and societal expectations influence relationships and judgments. Initially read during the first semester of my master’s program, my subsequent exposure to literary theory allowed me to revisit the novel with a more critical lens. I began to see its gender politics, social commentary, and class dynamics in new ways, enriching my appreciation of Austen’s subtle critique of her time.

8. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby stands out for its poignant critique of the American Dream and its exploration of illusion versus reality. The character of Jay Gatsby epitomizes the pursuit of idealism, wealth, and love—ambitions that ultimately prove hollow. What resonated with me most was the sense of disillusionment that permeates the novel. Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald exposes the moral decay behind the glittering façade of the Jazz Age. The novel’s lyrical prose and symbolic imagery, particularly the green light and the valley of ashes, deepened my understanding of the intersection between materialism and moral emptiness in modern societies.

9. An Artist of the Floating World – Kazuo Ishiguro

This novel captivated me with its nuanced portrayal of memory, guilt, and self-deception. Ishiguro’s protagonist, Masuji Ono, reflects on his past as a propaganda artist during Imperial Japan, grappling with the shifting political landscape in the aftermath of World War II. What I found particularly striking was the novel’s subtle unreliability the narrative unfolds through Ono’s fragmented and often contradictory recollections, prompting readers to question the nature of truth and personal responsibility. The quiet introspection and emotional restraint characteristic of Ishiguro's style allowed me to appreciate how historical trauma and personal memory intersect in complex, often painful ways.

10. Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie

Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children is an extraordinary example of magical realism employed to narrate the history of a nation through a deeply personal lens. The protagonist, Saleem Sinai, whose birth coincides with India’s independence, serves as a symbolic figure whose life parallels the political and cultural trajectory of postcolonial India. The novel’s narrative structure non-linear, fragmented, and richly layered challenged conventional storytelling and demanded active engagement. I was especially drawn to how the novel merges personal memory with national history, blurring the boundaries between fact and fiction. Its interweaving of myth, politics, and identity offered a compelling insight into the formation of postcolonial subjectivity and the complexity of national identity.