The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels... May 2026

The Modern Library is famous for its definitive "best of" book lists, but many readers are surprised to find there isn't just one. While the is the most cited, the "Two Hundred" often refers to a separate, highly curated selection by authors Carmen Callil and Colm Toíbín titled The Modern Library: The 200 Best Novels in English Since 1950 . The 200 Best Novels in English Since 1950

: The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger), To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), and Midnight’s Children (Salman Rushdie). The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels...

: The list features a mix of globally recognized giants and "forgotten masterpieces," including: The Modern Library is famous for its definitive