9 Long Books Everyone Should Read at Least Once

Some books aren’t just stories — they’re immersive journeys. Their length is a testament to their depth, complexity, and the profound influence they leave on the reader. Below is a list of 9 long books everyone should read at least once.

1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Blending historical detail with profound psychological insight, Tolstoy explores how war affects individuals, families, and nations. The novel balances sweeping battle scenes with intimate domestic moments, portraying both the external chaos of war and the inner conflicts of the soul. Its philosophical reflections on fate, history, and human purpose elevate the work beyond fiction into timeless wisdom. It's a true literary masterpiece that endures.

2. The Stand by Stephen King

After a superflu virus wipes out most of the world’s population, the survivors split into two camps—those led by the kind-hearted Mother Abagail, and those seduced by the dark and mysterious Randall Flagg. King builds a vivid and terrifying world filled with rich characters, moral dilemmas, and supernatural forces. The novel is not just a horror story; it’s a profound meditation on morality, destiny, free will, and the resilience of the human spirit. Its scope and emotional weight make it unforgettable.

3. The Recognitions by William Gaddis

William Gaddis’s The Recognitions is a cult classic and a cornerstone of American postmodern literature. It follows Wyatt Gwyon, a painter who becomes a forger of old masters, in a tale that reflects on authenticity, art, spirituality, and modern alienation. The narrative is complex and densely allusive, filled with long dialogues, fragmented scenes, and shifting perspectives. Gaddis critiques the commodification of art and the moral decay of modern society with biting satire and erudite references. Though demanding in style, the novel is immensely rewarding for readers willing to grapple with its themes and experimental form.

4. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The story follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, as she fights to keep her company alive in a crumbling economy, while society’s most productive individuals mysteriously disappear. Through characters like John Galt, Rand promotes radical individualism, rational self-interest, and laissez-faire capitalism. The novel questions the morality of altruism and government overreach, challenging readers to reconsider the role of creativity and reason in society.

5. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

As Quixote tilts at windmills, readers are invited to consider the fine line between madness and imagination. Timeless in scope, Don Quixote remains a foundational work that continues to influence literature and culture across the world.

6. Middlemarch by George Eliot

The central character, Dorothea Brooke, struggles with her ambitions and ideals within the constraints of marriage and gender roles. Meanwhile, Dr. Lydgate’s journey explores the conflict between scientific aspiration and societal expectations. Eliot's genius lies in her psychological acuity and moral complexity. The novel critiques egoism and celebrates quiet, meaningful change. Deeply human and intellectually stimulating, Middlemarch is a cornerstone of realist literature that resonates deeply today.

7. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy is a sprawling family saga set in post-independence, post-partition India. Centered on Lata Mehra and her mother’s quest to find her a husband, the novel unfolds across four families and examines India's complex tapestry of religion, caste, politics, and tradition. Rich with local color, the book captures the vibrancy and contradictions of a newly independent nation. Seth’s language is elegant and his characters vividly drawn. The novel’s episodic structure allows readers to immerse themselves in its world slowly. It’s a celebration of Indian culture, with a romantic core that’s universal and profoundly moving.

8. The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann

The Magic Mountain is a profound exploration of time, illness, and the philosophical ideologies that shaped early 20th-century Europe. Set in a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Swiss Alps, the novel follows Hans Castorp, a young engineer, who visits for a short stay and ends up remaining for seven years. During this time, he encounters a range of symbolic characters representing different worldviews, such as humanism, nihilism, and radicalism. The novel is dense and intellectual, yet richly rewarding and hauntingly prophetic.

9. The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil

Set in Vienna on the eve of World War I, the novel follows Ulrich, a brilliant but emotionally detached intellectual, as he becomes involved in a utopian project. The narrative is richly intellectual, with long passages of philosophical digression. Despite its unfinished state, the novel is revered for its insight, precision, and complex reflection on a decaying empire and fragmented modernity.

Conclusion

In a world of fast content, short attention spans, and digital overload, long books stand as monuments to the depth, complexity, and richness of the human experience. These literary giants are not written to be consumed in one sitting; they are crafted to be lived with, thought about, and revisited.

The beauty of these monumental works lies in their ability to grow with the reader. What you discover on your first reading may be very different from what you see years later. Long books have a unique ability to reflect back our evolving understanding of the world, making each revisit a deeper and more personal experience.