Literary Greats of the 20th Century

Recently, Penguin, in association with The Guardian newspaper published a special supplement on books of the century (The Guardian, 15th September 200). The centre page spread listed one hundred great novels of the 20th Century. EM Forster’s books appeared several times as summarised below with the ten highest ranked novels.

100 Greats

The literary giants of the last century; they provoke ideas, thought, tears, laughter, excitement, even social revolutions...
1. Jack Kerouc: On The Road
2. Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman
3. Anthony Burgess: A Clockwork Orange
4. Jean Rhys: Wide Sargasso Sea
5. George Orwell: Animal Farm
6. Arthur Miller: The Crucible
7. EM Forster: A Room With A View
8. Albert Camus: The Outsider
9. James Joyce: Dubliners
10. Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire

Forster’s novels and what was said about them...

A Room With A View
Position: No. 7
Category: Travel/Location and Humour/Satire
Comments: A Victorian set social comedy about the “undeveloped heart” of the English middle classes and the English abroad; propriety versus spontaneity. Sharply ironic.

A Passage To India
Position: No. 18
Category: Travel/Location and Crime/Mystery
Comments: Lavishly capturing India during the Raj. Forster’s drama is as memorable and breathtaking as the country itself. Adela’s cave incident leads to Dr Aziz’s ugly ordeal.

Where Angels Fear To Tread
Position: No. 65
Category: Humour/Satire and Romance/Sexuality
Comments: Told with a sympathy, a lightness, a grace of touch and a radiant atmosphere of humour, Forster’s first novel shows his now characteristic mastery of dialogue and character.
List of Works
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