While we read many books and forget them in a few days, some books are memorable- we read and reread, discuss, and share them with others. Some of these books are great due to their accurate capturing of an era’s culture, and others are famous for impeccable artistry. Regardless of the reason, many books from the 90s stick with us to date. Here are the most iconic books of the 90’s.
Jesus’ Son
Denis Johnson wrote “Jesus’ Son” in 1992. The book is a collection of cult stories you can read in a single sitting; its brevity doesn’t make it less iconic.
In an aesthetic form, “Jesus’ Son” combines the demotic with the Byronic, shifting away from the regular stories of addiction and moving from breakdown to breakthrough. Calling this book uncommon would be an understatement; many writers have tried to emulate it.
The Secret History
In 1992, Donna Tartt wrote the fiction novel “The Secret History.” The book follows the story of young, pretentious classics students who went crazy with Greek mythology. They murdered one student after an irrational ritual went wrong, and things worsened.
Aside from the compelling story, many readers fall in love with the style of the novel. The book stayed long on different best-seller lists and remains a masterpiece today. There is no way the landscape of ’90s literature can forget this novel.
Bravo Two Zero
Andy McNab wrote “Bravo Two Zero” in 1993. The book remains one of the best military history books of all time. Although there have always been controversies about whether it’s real or mere fiction, “Bravo Two Zero” was written like a novel.
In 1991, Andy McNab led Bravo Two Zero when eight soldiers were dropped inside Iraq to disable missiles. Three of them died, and McNab was captured and tortured by Iraqis. Considering the beauty of the author’s dark humor, readers couldn’t care less about its veracity.
The Ghost Road
“The Ghost Road” is the third installment of Pat Barker’s trilogy, “Regeneration”. Published in 1995, the book analyzed the aftermath of the First World War, cutting across issues like trauma, sanity, madness, and recovery. It is an unforgettable British fiction.
Released at a time when mental health rose to the forefront of discussions in the ’90s, “The Ghost Road” paints a clear mental picture of the most real effects of the war. Pat Barker got a Booker Prize for her excellent work in 1995.
The Beach
Written by Alex Garland in 1996, “The Beach” is a cult classic novel. It is based on the story of an English traveler who comes across a map of a hidden beach paradise. There, he finds an independent community of Western bohemians- then the paradise becomes Hell.
Interestingly, under the cover of the beauty of beach life, the book explores the hypocrisy of backpacker culture and human selfishness. Dubbed the first great novel of the decade, “The Beach” was one of the most famous then- and it’s still worth a read today.
