Withstanding the flood of English language books, certain gems from other language have reserved a place for themselves in the literary world. They are classics, have unforgettable characters, inspiring several musicals, plays, motion pictures even today. Here are such five best non-English books of all time, only for all those vitiligans who love to read.
French | Les Misérables (1862) by Victor Hugo
Considered as the gem of 19th century Victor Hugo’s French historical novel actually defines class literature. Set in Paris, the book tells the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his attempts for redemption. Love, sacrifice, romance, tragedy and politics, all are beautifully roped by Hugo into one magnificent tale of miserable characters.
Russian | Crime and Punishment (1866) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Next on the list of best non-English books ever written is Russian contender Crime and Punishment. Desperate Raskolnikov commits two murders without being seen, but could he ever have a face off with his consciousness. With its brilliant analysis of human psychology and impressive presentation, Crime and Punishment won’t take much time to gain a place in your ‘book memory’.
French | The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Apart from being rated as the best French book of the 20th century, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella is also one of the world’s most-translated books. The narrator’s plane crashes in the desert and that’s where he meets a young boy who is actually an alien prince. This alien has come to earth in search of a sheep. Sounds interesting; isn’t it? It’s a figurative, tender tale of solitude, alliance, love, realization, and loss.
Spanish | One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) by Gabriel García Márquez
This book tells the story of the Buendía family whose seven-generation have been residing in the fictional town of Macondo. Comical, emotional, philosophical, yet also spiritual, this fiction account will leave you dumbstruck with its magical realism approach. “Wow” and “Must Read” are just two words I could utter after finishing the book. I have a tip for readers – draw a family tree while reading the book. It will help you stay invested in the story, which covers multi-generations.
German | Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (1985) by Patrick Süskind
Isn’t scent the essence of nature? You can’t walk a lane without inhaling scents of blooming roses kept on a window. You can’t help, but not smell a cake baking in the kitchen. The only difference is – sometimes you love it, sometimes you don’t. Grenouille, in his journey to understand life, creates an ultimate perfume before turning into a serial killer. This cross-genre novel is often quoted as the best ever book of German literature. If that sounds an exaggeration, you can give it a try.