J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series, which started in the late 20th century and continued into the 21st, is also among the highest rated. It created a whole new magical world that captured the hearts of millions around the world. The characters are well - developed, and the story is full of adventure, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.
Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' is also a very highly rated 21st - century novel. It presents a chilling vision of a totalitarian society where women are subjugated. It has been praised for its timely and relevant themes as well as Atwood's masterful writing. Another great one is Kazuo Ishiguro's 'Never Let Me Go', which is a thought - provoking novel about identity, love, and the ethics of cloning.
Some of the highly rated 21st - century novels include 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini. It tells a powerful story of friendship against the backdrop of Afghanistan's history. Another one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It's a gripping mystery thriller with complex characters.
I think 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' by Junot Díaz is a top - notch 21st - century novel. It's about a Dominican - American family and their experiences, with Díaz's unique writing style that combines humor and tragedy. 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh is also great. It delves into the mind of a young woman who decides to hibernate for a year. And 'Gilead' by Marilynne Robinson is a beautiful, introspective novel about a pastor writing letters to his son.
Definitely 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett. It gives a powerful look at race relations in the 1960s American South through the eyes of African - American maids and a young white woman. Another famous one is 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It's a story about race, identity, and love that spans continents. Also, 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is well - known for its vivid portrayal of Tudor England.
'The Snowman' by Jo Nesbø is also highly regarded. The detective Harry Hole has to track down a serial killer who leaves behind snowmen at the crime scenes. Nesbø's writing is gripping, and he creates a very tense and cold - feeling atmosphere throughout the novel, which adds to the overall sense of mystery and danger.
Definitely 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. It's a post - apocalyptic novel that shows the journey of a father and son. The sparse writing style adds to the bleak atmosphere of the story. It's a profound exploration of love, survival, and the human condition in a desolate world.
Then there's 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson as well. It features a unique magic system where certain people can ingest metals to gain powers. The story is set in a post - apocalyptic world with a lot of political unrest and a group of characters trying to overthrow an evil empire.
Well, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is highly rated. It's a really funny and absurd take on science fiction, with memorable characters like Arthur Dent and the two - headed Zaphod Beeblebrox.
Jin Yong was a famous martial arts novel in China. His fifteen novels, The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes, The Eight Dragons and Dragons, The Smiling Proud Jianghu, The Sword with the Blue Blood, The Deer and Cauldron, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, The Sword of the Yue Woman, The White Horse Roaring in the West Wind, The Journey of Chivalrous Men, The Flying Fox on the Snow Mountain, The Tactics of the Liancheng, Meteor Butterfly Sword, and The Legend of the Chivalrous Bones and Tenderhearted Feelings, had been widely praised and read. Among these novels, the one with the highest evaluation from readers was " Heroes ". " Heroes " was regarded as a classic work of Jin Yong's novels. The plot was compact, the characters were vivid, the plot was full of ups and downs, and the writing was beautiful. It was hailed as a milestone work of Chinese martial arts novels. The characters and plots in the novel were also deeply loved by readers, especially the images of the protagonists Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Ouyang Feng, etc.
One of the top 20th century novels is 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner. It has a unique narrative structure. 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad is also in that list. It explores the darkness within human nature. And 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf, which gives an in - depth look at a day in the life of a woman.
Another highly rated one is 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin. The books are known for their political intrigue, morally grey characters, and unpredictable plot twists. There are multiple storylines that keep readers hooked as they follow different characters' fates in the fictional world of Westeros.