20 best stories of all time
Choosing the 20 best stories of all time is a subjective task, as everyone has their personal favorites. Here are 20 stories that have stood the test of time and continue to be popular among readers:
- The Odyssey by Homer
- The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
These are just a few of the many great stories out there, but they have left a lasting impact on readers around the world.
Why these 20
Each of these stories has unique qualities that have resonated with readers over time. Some have influenced literature as a whole, while others have become classics because of their characters, themes, and writing styles. For example, The Odyssey has stood the test of time because of its epic hero’s journey, while The Great Gatsby has become a classic because of its themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream. Similarly, stories like To Kill a Mockingbird and Les Miserables have significantly impacted society, inspiring readers to fight for justice and equality. Overall, the best stories are those that capture the imagination, offer insight into the human experience, and leave a lasting impression on readers.
Great stories have the power to transport readers to different times and places, allowing them to experience new perspectives, emotions, and ideas. They can also offer a window into different cultures and ways of life, promoting empathy and understanding. Moreover, stories often touch on universal themes that resonate with readers across generations, cultures, and languages. These themes include love, loss, friendship, family, identity, justice, and the search for meaning and purpose.
The best stories are also well-crafted, with strong characters, compelling plots, and vivid imagery that bring the story to life. They can be fictional or based on real-life events, but what matters most is their ability to move readers and leave a lasting impression. For example, a story like The Lord of the Rings has captivated readers for decades with its intricate world-building, complex characters, and epic battles between good and evil. On the other hand, a story like The Catcher in the Rye has become a classic because of its honest portrayal of teenage angst and disillusionment.
In summary, great stories are those that offer a glimpse into the human experience, resonate with readers on a deep level, and leave a lasting impression on their hearts and minds. They can be found in all forms of literature, from epic poems to contemporary novels, and have the power to inspire, challenge, and transform readers.
LET’S learn SOMETHING more about every of THE selected stories
There are 20 stories in the list of the best stories of all time, so it would be difficult to write about each one in detail. However, I can provide some brief information about each story:
- The Odyssey by Homer – An epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War.
- The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri – A narrative poem that describes Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – A novel that explores the relationships and social norms of the 19th-century English gentry.
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes – A novel that satirizes chivalric romances and explores the themes of reality and illusion.
- The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer – A collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – A novel that explores Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff’s intense and passionate love.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – A novel that explores the decadence and excess of the Jazz Age and the elusive nature of the American Dream.
- The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – A novel that explores the themes of faith, morality, and human nature through the lives of three brothers.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – A novel that explores racial injustice and the loss of innocence in a small Southern town.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – A novel that explores teenage alienation and disillusionment through the eyes of the protagonist Holden Caulfield.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – A novel that explores the themes of time, memory, and the cyclical nature of life through the history of the Buendia family.
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien – A fantasy epic that explores the themes of power, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – A novel that explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition through the story of a young man who commits a murder.
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – A novel that explores the themes of poverty, justice, and the power of redemption through the story of Jean Valjean.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – A novel that explores the themes of creation, responsibility, and the nature of humanity through the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his creature.
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – A novel that explores the themes of love, marriage, and social norms through the story of Anna Karenina and her affair with Count Vronsky.
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain – A novel that explores the themes of race, freedom, and morality through the story of Huck Finn and his journey down the Mississippi River.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – A novel that explores the themes of beauty, youth, and corruption through the story of Dorian Gray and his portrait.
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – A novel that explores the themes of revenge, justice, and redemption through the story of Edmond Dantes.
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – A novel that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and revolution through the story of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton during the French Revolution.
These stories are diverse in genre, period, and themes, but all of them have left a lasting impact on readers and continue to be celebrated as some of the greatest works of literature of all time. Each story offers unique insights into the human experience and explores complex themes such as love, loss, justice, morality, and the meaning of life. They all feature memorable characters, intricate plots, and beautiful language that have captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations.
For example, in The Odyssey, readers are transported to ancient Greece and follow the hero Odysseus on his journey home, encountering gods, monsters, and various trials along the way. The story explores themes of heroism, cunning, and the dangers of pride and arrogance. Meanwhile, Pride and Prejudice offer a window into the world of 19th-century England, where social status and marriage were highly valued. The novel explores the themes of love, pride, and prejudice and offers a memorable cast of characters, including the strong-willed Elizabeth Bennet and the proud and wealthy Mr. Darcy.
Another example is Crime and Punishment, which explores the psychological complexities of guilt and redemption through the story of a young man who commits a murder. The novel is known for its philosophical and psychological depth and its exploration of the human condition. On the other hand, The Great Gatsby is a novel that captures the excesses and decadence of the Jazz Age and explores the elusive nature of the American Dream. The story features the mysterious and enigmatic Jay Gatsby, whose obsession with the past and with a woman named Daisy ultimately leads to his downfall.
Each of these stories has contributed to the canon of world literature and has left a lasting impact on readers and writers alike. They continue to be studied and celebrated for their insights into the human experience, their beautiful language, and their ability to captivate readers and transport them to different times and places.
Maybe someday you will write a popular story, until then you can use this notebook