FX.co ★ Five literary masterpieces of our time

1st Place – My Brilliant Friend

“My Brilliant Friend,” a novel by Italian author Elena Ferrante, tops the list. Published in English in 2011, twenty years after its release in Italy, the book tells the story of two friends, Lila and Elena, whose lives intertwine against the backdrop of post-war Naples. Ferrante masterfully depicts the complex relationships, social and cultural changes, and inner struggles of the protagonists. The novel earned its place among the best for its depth, psychological precision, and ability to capture the atmosphere of the time.

2nd Place – The Warmth of Other Suns

“The Warmth of Other Suns” by American writer and journalist Isabel Wilkerson took second place. Released in 2010, this book is a historical study of the Great Migration—the mass movement of African Americans from the southern United States between 1916 and 1970. The author meticulously explores the lives of three main characters, each representing different eras and regions, to show how this phenomenon transformed not only their lives but also all of America.

3rd Place – Wolf Hall

The third spot goes to “Wolf Hall,” a novel by British author Hilary Mantel. Published in 2009, this book is the first in a trilogy about the life of Thomas Cromwell, a powerful figure in Tudor England. Mantel skillfully recreates the atmosphere and political intrigue of the time, focusing on Cromwell's inner world and motivations as he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful men at Henry VIII's court. “Wolf Hall” received high critical acclaim and won the Booker Prize.

4th Place – The Known World

The fourth place is occupied by “The Known World” by American writer Edward P. Jones, published in 2003 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Set in the mid-19th century in the southern United States, the novel explores the complex and contradictory aspects of slavery, telling the story of an unusual character—a black slave owner named Henry Townsend. Through his life and the lives of other characters, the novel reveals little-known and tragic pages of American history.

5th Place – The Corrections

“The Corrections” by American author Jonathan Franzen rounds out the top five. Published in 2001, the novel follows the Lambert family, whose members each face life’s challenges and crises in their own way. “The Corrections” is a deep and ironic look at family relationships, social change, and personal struggles in a time of transition. Franzen skillfully conveys the complexity of human relationships, balancing drama and humor to make the novel both sharp and relevant.