Book lovers, unite! 1914 was an incredibly influential year in the literary world, with some of the greatest books ever published. It was the year in which the First World War began, and was marked by a surge of creativity, experimentation, and stylistic innovation. From literary classics to innovative works of poetry, the ten best books of 1914 run the gamut from genre to genre. Here are ten of the most influential books from that year.
List of Ten Best Books Published in 1914
1. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather: A beautiful tale of triumphant loss and inevitable change, Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! tells the story of Swedish-American pioneers in Nebraska. A far cry from the traditional Western novel, Cather’s raw and emotive prose left an influential mark on the literary world.
2. T.S. Eliot’s Prufrock and Other Observations: This collection of poetry redefined the context of modern poetry. Its vivid imagery and complex narrative pushed the boundaries of conventional poetry and forever altered how poets tackle the medium.
3. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Burroughs’ timeless novel traces the adventures of an orphaned English nobleman who is raised by apes in an African jungle. Tarzan of the Apes was Burroughs’ first novel and it spawned a whole new generation of adventure stories that continue to influence literature today.
4. The Valley of Vision by Arthur B. Reeve: This science fiction novel follows a news reporter as he attempts to solve a series of crimes that seemed supernaturally related. The Valley of Vision provided an interesting blend of mystery, crime, and science fiction which proved to be incredibly influential in the months and years to come.
5. The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde: Wilde wove tales of loss, love, and redemption in this collection of stories meant for children. Wilde’s ability to craft a story of joy and sorrow simultaneously made The Happy Prince and Other Tales one of the most enduring stories of the 20th century.
Read Also : Best Books Published in 1901
6. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe: Achebe’s semi-autobiographical complex African novel follows the story of a man living in a tribal village in Africa. Through the lens of a native, Things Fall Apart explores the early effects of colonialism on African culture.
7. The Best American Humorous Short Stories edited by Irvin S. Cobb: Cobb compiled this hilarious collection of short stories composed by some of America’s most like-minded authors. This compilation proves that a good laugh can be found in just about any context.
8. Irish Fairy Tales by William Butler Yeats: To those familiar with Yeats’ work, Irish Fairy Tales captures the Irish literary tradition with tales of the Sidhe, magical creatures, and Irish folklore. Yeats captures the reader’s attention as he draws on both ancient tales and his own vivid imagination.
9. The Rise of the Dutch Republic by John Lothrop Motley: The Rise of the Dutch Republic is a massive tome that chronicles the struggle of the Netherlands to gain independence from Spain. It’s considered one of the foremost works of European history and is sure to be an interesting and informative read.
10. The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle: The Sign of Four is the second novel in the Sherlock Holmes series and is still considered the best by some. Doyle’s ability to create a captivating mystery makes this book a classic that’s still widely read today.
Final Words on Ten Best Books of 1914
These ten books of 1914 are some of the most influential pieces of literature ever published. They’ve made their mark on the literary world, and they show why 1914 was a defining year of the 20th century.