What is the greatest novel of all time in your opinion?

Answer 1

Well, I'm afraid you can't pick one. Many novels are the greatest in their own ways.

My personal favourite is The Stranger by Camus, which is the holy book for existentalism.
As for the greatest atmosphere, I'd pick The Trial by Kafka.
A most intellectual writer is Thomas Mann, who made divinity realistic in Joseph and his Brothers. This is how it could happen in reality, if it happened.
E. T. A. Hoffmann's Devil's Elixir is the best suspending novel - who the heck is Stephen King?! :)
Finally, my favourite writer is Golding, who writes in a truly magnificent way (The Sphire, Inheritors). I could name any of his novels.

Pick one and read it, you won't disappoint, I promise. :)

Answer 2

This question cannot be answered. The reason being that in order to form an opinion as to what the greatest novel of all time is, one would have to (personally) read every single novel ever written and then compare the one read most recently with all the others that have gone before. As there have been hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of novels written throughout the world since the middle of the 16th. cent. (many of which remain untranslated), there simply wouldn't be enough time in a single lifetime to complete the task ; hence, any authentic judgement (or even opinion) concerning " THE greatest novel of all time" is impossible to make ; which renders the question redundant.
However, if (someone) were to ask : " OF ALL THE NOVELS THAT YOU HAVE READ : which, in your opinion is the greatest ?" One might readily be able to provide an answer. (But that is NOT the question being asked here ! )

Answer 3

What a difficult question to answer.
Here are some of my faves:
Lord of the Rings for gripping excitement, Wuthering Heights for weepy sentimentality, Perfume for sheer cookiness, The Alchemist for thought provokation, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists for reminding me why I'm a socialist (and why Tony Blair isn't), Farnheight 451 for beautiful language.
These are just a few on my list.
But I don't think anyone can catagorically define the "greatest" novel. It's a purely subjectional thing.

Answer 4

Everyone will spew the classics, but for pure enjoyment I'd recommend "The Stand" by Stephen King. It differs from much of his writing in that it is really a classic good vs. evil novel. He keeps several story lines / characters going at the same time, and it makes it interesting.

At 1100+ pages ( the newest printing ) it is quite a read, but worth it.

I am sure most other answers will be classic literature, but I enjoyed this more.

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

The Lymond Chronicles, by Dorothy Dunnett.

The Solider series by Gene Wolfe

The Blue Cliff Record

Answer 6

Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell To Arms

Answer 7

Can I give two answers? I think that Don Quixote is the most masterly novel ever - so ahead of its time that it practically defines the genre. From a purely emotional perspective, my current fave is last year's Booker winner: The Sea by John Banville

Answer 8

it is "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

bcoz for the first time we have had something like an empirical recording of history. I don't know whay about u, but I come from a place where people actually see devils, actually visualize ships sailing in the sea hundreds of kilometres from deep interior forests, froma society which hgad once known men turning themselves into cows and all.

at last we could find a respite from the too masterialistic historiography.

Answer 9

Gone With The Wind

Answer 10

The Ardly Effect by Mitis Green