200 Greatest Fantasy Books

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 458

200 Greatest Fantasy Books

http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/books/greatest-fantasy-books.html

Fantasy, with it's sub-genres & series & it's broad perspective of definition.

Criteria: - It is with respect to all the myriad forms & interpretations of Fantasy that these books were chosen for their lasting impact, influence in the genre, originality & compositional skill. As with all lists, this is a subjective list & makes no claim of an official nature.

*** With a significant percent of fantasy novels presented as a multiple book series, to include would be to exclude, so for the purpose of this list the series title has been chosen to be represented here ***

List compiled by & Editor: Rick Varner

1. The Lord of The Rings - by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Harry Potter - by J.K. Rowling
3. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - by Lewis Carroll
4. Something Wicked This Way Comes - by Ray Bradbury
5. The Chronicles of Narnia - by C.S. Lewis
6. A Song of Ice and Fire - by George R.R. Martin
7. A Wizard of Earthsea - by Ursula K LeGuin
8. The Wheel of Time - by Robert Jordan
9 . The Well at The World's End - by William Morris
10. The Hobbit - by J.R.R. Tolkien
11. The Dying Earth - by Jack Vance
12. The Dark Tower - by Stephen King
13. The Sword of Shannara - by Terry Brooks
14. The Fionavar Tapestry - by Guy Gavriel Kay
15. Animal Farm - by George Orwell
16. The Wood Beyond The World - by William Morris
17. A Christmas Carol - by Charles Dickens
18. Gulliver's Travels - by Jonathan Swift
19. The Elric Saga - by Michael Moorcock
20. The Master and The Margarita - by Mikhail Bulgakov
21. The Metamorphosis - by Franz Kafka
22. Incarnations of Immortality - by Piers Anthony
23. The Worm Ourorobos - by E.R.Eddison
24. The Screwtape Letters - by C.S. Lewis
25. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - by Stephen Donaldson
26. The Dragon Riders of Pern - by Anne McCafferty
27. Discworld - by Terry Pratchett
28. The Last Unicorn - by Peter S Beagle
29. Little, Big - by John Crowley
30. Tigana - by Guy Gavriel Kay
31. Weaveworld - by Clive Barker
32. Titus Groan - by Mervyn Peake
33. Imajica - by Clive Barker
34. Time and Again - by Jack Finney
35. The Once and Future King - by T.H. White
36. The Vampire Lestat - by Anne Rice
37. Watership Down - by Richard Adams
38. The Sword of Truth - by Terry Goodkind
39. The Neverending Story - by Michael Ende
40. His Dark Materials - by Philip Pullman
41. The Belgariad - by David Eddings
42. The Name of The Wind - by Patrick Rothfuss
43. The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond E Feist
44. Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - by Mark Twain
45. Artemis Fowl - by Eoin Colfer
46. The Mists of Avalon - by Marion Zimmer Bradley
47. Song of Kali - by Dan Simmons
48. The Dresden Files - by Jim Butcher
49. The Chronicles of Amber - by Roger Zelzany
50. The Stand - by Stephen King
51. The Alchemist - by Paulo Coehlo
52. Gloriana - by Michael Moorcock
53. The Compleat Enchanter - by L. Sprague DeCamp and Fletcher Pratt
54. The King of Elfland's Daughter - by Lord Dunsany
55. Lud-in-the-Mist - by Hope Mirrlees
56. Darker Than You Think - by Jack Williamson
57. Chthon - by Piers Anthony
58. The Anubis Gates - by Tim Powers
59. Interview With The Vampire - by Anne Rice
60. Good Omens - by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
61. It - by Stephen King
62. The Inheritance Cycle - by Christopher Paolini
63. Bridge of Birds - by Barry Hughart
64. The Silmarillion - by J.R.R. Tolkein
65. Acts of King Arthur's Noble Knights - by John Steinbeck
66. Outlander - by Diana Gabaldon
67. The Darkness That Comes Before - by R Scott Bakker
68. Bid Time Return - by Richard Matheson
69. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - by Douglas Adams
70. The Talisman - by Stephen King & Peter Straub
71. The Riddle-Master of Hed - by Patricia McKillip
72. The Armagedden Rag - by George R.R. Martin
73. The Great and Secret Show - by Clive Barker
74. The Halloween Tree - by Ray Bradbury
75. The Long Dark Tea Time of The Soul - by Douglas Adams
76. A Voyage To Arcturas - by David Lindsay
77. The History of The Runestaff - by Michael Moorcock
78. Replay - by Ken Grimwood
79. The Other Wind - by Ursula K LeGuin
80. The Malazan Book of The Fallen - by Steven Erikson
81. The Damnation Game - Clive Barker
82. Sailing To Sarantium - by Guy Gavriel Kay
83. Voice of Our Shadow - by Jonathan Carroll
84. The Carpet People - by Terry Pratchett
85. Was - by Geoff Ryman
86. Lyonesse - by Jack Vance
87. Fevre Dream - by George R.R. Martin
88. The Well of the Unicorn - by Fletcher Pratt
89. Time and The Gods - by Lord Dunsany
90. Glory Road - by Robert A Heinlein
91. Koko - by Peter Straub
92. Sister Light, Sister Dark - by Jane Yolen
93. Dr Rat - by William Kotzwinkle
94. Lies of Loche Lamora - by Scott Lynch
95. Strangers - by Dean Koontz
96. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - by Susanna Clarke
97. Ysabel - by Guy Gavriel Kay
98. Shadowland - by Peter Straub
99. The First Law - by Joe Abercrombie
100. Kafka On The Shore - by Haruki Murakami

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101. Everville by Clive Barker
102. Salem's Lot - by Stephen King
103. Neverwhere - by Neil Gaiman
104. The Innkeeper's Song - by Peter S Beagle
105. A Midsummer Tempest - by Poul Anderson
106. Love and Sleep - by John Crowley
107. The War Hound & The World's Pain - by M. Moorcock
108. The Prestige - by Christopher Priest
109. Seventh Son - by Orson Scott Card
110. Lord Of The Two Lands - by Judith Tarr
111. The Dragon Waiting - by John M Ford
112. Outside The Dog Museum - by Jonathan Carroll
113. The Last Coin - by James P Blaylock
114. Mary Reilly - by Valerie Martin
115. The Silent Strength of Stones - by Nini Kinriki Hoffman
116. Tender Morsels - by Margo Lanagan
117. The Book of Knights - by Yves Meynard
118. The Solitudes - by John Crowley
119. Sleeping In Flame - by Jonathan Carroll
120. Perfume - by Patrick Suskind
121. The Gift - by Patrick O'Leary
122. Our Lady of Darkness - by Fritz Leiber
123. Briar Rose - by Jane Yolen
124. Soldier of The Mist - by Gene Wolfe
125. Perdido Street Station - by China Mieville
126. The Graveyard Book - by Neil Gaiman
127. The Shadow Year - by Jeffrey Ford
128. Ariosto - by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
129. The Antelope Wife - by Louise Erdrich
130. The Nestling - by Charles L Grant
131. Ombria In Shadow - by Patricia A McKillip
132. Declare - by Tim Powers
133. Swan Song - by Robert R McCammon
134. Tamsin - by Peter S Beagle
135. Tea With The Black Dragon - by R.A. McAvoy
136. The Drive-In - by Joe R Lansdale
137. Boy's Life - by Robert K McCammon
138. The Wizard Knight - by Gene Wolfe
139. The Runes of The Earth - by Stephen R Donaldson
140. The 37th Mandala - by Marc Laidlaw
141. The Mist - by Stephen King
142. Nifft The Lean - by Michael Shea
143. Archer's Goon - by Diana Wynne Jones
144. The Forgotten Beasts of ELD - by Patricia McKillip
145. Illywhacker - by Peter Carey
146. The Physiognomy - by Jeffrey Ford
147. The Pet - by Charles L Grant
148. Fade - by Robert Cormier
149. On Stranger Tides - by Tim Powers
150. Galveston - by Sean Stewart
151. The Rainy Season - by James P Blaylock
152. The Servants - by Michael Marshall Smith
153. The Last Call of Mourning - by Charles L Grant
154. Only Begotten Daughter - by James Morrow
155. Soldier of Sidon - by Gene Wolfe
156. The Nameless - by Ramsey Campbell
157. The Dark Bright Water - by Patricia Wrightson
158. American Gods - by Neil Gaiman
159. The Orphan's Tales - by Catherynne M Valente
160. The Palace - by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
161. Last Call - by Tim Powers
162. Fade - by Robert Cormier
163. Watchtower - by Elizabeth A Lynn
164. Soldier of Arete - by Gene Wolfe
165. The Sound of Midnight - by Charles L Grant
166. Thraxas - by Martin Scott
167. Territory - by Emma Bull
168. The Stress of Her Regard - Tim Powers
169. The Facts of Life - by Graham Joyce
170. Pandemonium - by Daryl Gregory
171. A Child Across The Sky - by Jonathan Carroll
172. Towing Jehovah - by James Morrow
173. The Hour of The Oxrun Dead - by Charles L Grant
174. Shadow of Ashland - by Terence M Green
175. Carrion Comfort - by Dan Simmons
176. Firelord - by Parke Godwin
177. Glimpses - by Lewis Shiner
178. The Gospel of The Knife - by Will Shetterly
179. A Red Heart of Memories - by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
180. The Black Castle - by Les Daniels
181. The Dancers of Arun - by Elizabeth A Lynn
182. Merlin's Ring - by H Warner Munn
183. The Dream Years - by Lnisa Goldstein
184. The Etched City - by K.J. Bishop
185. Night's Master - by Tanith Lee
186. Lamb - Christopher Moore
187. The Circus of The Earth & The Air - by Brooke Stevens
188. Thomas The Rhymer - by Ellen Kushner
189. The Paper Grail - by James P Blaylock
190. The Dragon and The George - by Gordon R Dickson
191. Phantom - by Thomas Tessler
192. Requiem - by Graham Joyce
193. The Throat - by Peter Straub
194. Gardens of The Moon - by Steven Erikson
195. The Little Country - by Charles de Lint
196. Red Earth and Pouring Rain - by Vikram Chandra
197. Godmother Night - by Rachel Patrick
198. Winterking - by Paul Hazel
199. Bartimaeus Trilogy - Jonathan Stroud
200. Bloodsucking Fiends - by Christopher Moore

Woodgod · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:16 pm **Posts:** 343

He's a great site about speculative fiction if you can get past the site layout. http://greatsfandf.com/

The Man · **Posted:** Thu Oct 21, 2010 11:32 pm

Great list, except for the lack of Once and Future King.

And Harry Potter at number two? I love the series but does it really beat out classics like Alice and Narnia?

Shuure · **Posted:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:44 pm

Seeing this list makes me feel a lot less versed within literature than I originally thought I was. However, books like the Icewindale Trilogy and other acclaimed Forgotten Realms books, wouldn't they be eligble for a position on the list?

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 458

The Man wrote:

Great list, Harry Potter at number two? I love the series but does it really beat out classics like Alice and Narnia?

Actually the first draft had 'Harry' @ #5 but after many interviews the argument centered on it's huge influence since the first book, which weighed heavily and I know, I know the same could be said about the other 2 you mentioned. So it goes.

The Man · **Posted:** Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:05 pm

Rick wrote:

The Man wrote:

Great list, Harry Potter at number two? I love the series but does it really beat out classics like Alice and Narnia?

Actually the first draft had 'Harry' @ #5 but after many interviews the argument centered on it's huge influence since the first book, which weighed heavily and I know, I know the same could be said about the other 2 you mentioned.So it goes.

I think it's too early to be able to tell its total influence. It needs a few more years. Alice and Narnia really deserve to be above it, I really think that Potter at #4 or 5 would be great.

And are you familiar with Once and Future King?

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 458

The Man wrote:

are you familiar with Once and Future King?

Check out # 35. Thanks for your thoughts.

The Man · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:56 pm

My bad, mate. I think it could move up significantly, though

Quixote · **Posted:** Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:47 am

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

What about the Pendragon series?

boo boo · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:36 pm **Posts:** 11105

Now if only somebody did that with LOTR. HEY YO.

Ah I keed, I just said that to beat any stupid smart alecks to the punch, I haven't actually read those books (Love the movies though). Fantasy is a genre I absolutely love I just don't read much literature. :sad:

Yousha · **Posted:** Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:12 pm

why has Northern Lights been isolated out and put at 40, when the other 2 books are probably just as if not more acclaimed, and as a series, His Dark Materials would definitely be higher than 40 on a fantasy books list ....

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 458

Yousha wrote:

why has Northern Lights been isolated out and put at 40, when the other 2 books are probably just as if not more acclaimed, and as a series, His Dark Materials would definitely be higher than 40 on a fantasy books list ....

Just a typo..........I checked the final draft and 'His Dark Materials' was the intended title as most series were represented in this manner on the list. Change has been made. Thanks.

Yousha · **Posted:** Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:48 pm

with all due respect, from the acclaim it has, almost equalling the likes of the harrry potter series with books in the series getting the Guardian and whitbread awards, i would assume it to be rated much higher than where it is currently ....

ClashWho · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:45 pm **Posts:** 20318

Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain?

200 Greatest Fantasy Books

Who is online