Famous for keeping readers interested for decades, best-selling books have cemented their place in history by captivating readers with new ideas, comfort, and pleasure.
Many religious and political books, like The Bible, the Quran, and Chairman Mao’s Quotations, are thought to have sold more than a billion copies.
However, accurate sales figures for these books are challenging due to widespread distribution by churches or governments. Moreover, these books have often been printed by many publishers over the last few decades, many of them unreported. While these monumental books are not listed here due to the complexities of tracking their sales, their universal presence underscores their status as some of the most widely circulated books ever.
When you get your hands on a fantastic piece of fiction, reading becomes an even more enjoyable activity, making it one of the most delightful activities available today. It is inevitable that the process of determining which work is the “best fiction book of all time” will be subjective because readers have varying preferences. Critics hail some novels for their exceptional quality, while others achieve bestseller status due to substantial sales figures.
The following list is a catalog of the best-selling books of all time, sorted by total copies sold rather than personal ratings.
This week’s question: Which fiction novels are the best-sellers of all time?
And Then There Were None
Author: Agatha Christie
Country: Great Britain
Publish Date: First published in 1939
Predicted Revenue: One hundred million units
And Then There Were None is a murder mystery that the author believes to be one of her finest works to be listed among the best fiction book of all time. The story follows ten people who become stuck on an island. A murderer is hidden among them; as deaths begin to pile up in a pattern, the survivors panic, attempting to figure out how to confront the monster and flee.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1997
Estimated Sales: 120 million copies
Harry’s initial encounter with the wizarding realm evokes awe and amazement, unlike any other series of chapters. Although the first volume in The Boy Who Lived is the shortest, it is also one of the most enchanting. Batory schools and male wizards gifted with magical abilities were subjects of literature before J.K. Rowling’s Chosen One was created. However, nothing has captivated the public’s imagination to the same degree before or since Harry Potter. However, when searching for literary works similar to Harry Potter, one can find many commendable alternatives.
The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Country: France
Publication Date: 1943
Estimated Sales: 140 million copies
Something imaginative and transitory about childhood is captured in The Little Prince, which is an impenetrable tale of rare beauty. It also reflects the limited perspective that comes with adulthood and conformity. The storyline of this book revolves around a young king traveling from his home asteroid to other planets. Despite this, it has been construed in numerous ways, including as a biblical allegory and a commentary on war.
A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1859
Estimated Sales: 200 million copies
It was the best out of all the times, yet the worst of all as well; it was the phase of wisdom as well as the age of foolishness; it was an era of belief and incredulity; it was the season of light; it was the season of darkness, it was spring of hope and winter of despair. This is the prologue of the most famous historical novel by Charles Dickens, which takes place during the French Revolution. Several of Dickens’s writings deal with class struggles, the hedonism of the affluent, and the suffering of the downtrodden.
Don Quixote
Author: Miguel de Cervantes
Country: Spain
Publication Date: 1605 (Part One), 1615 (Part Two)
Estimated Sales: 500 million copies
The central character of the two-volume epic tragicomedy Don Quixote, is an individual who, due to his preoccupation with heroic customs, erroneously identifies himself as a knight and seeks assistance from a rural couple, whom he refers to as “squire” and “lady.” One of the prominent scenes in the story involves Don Quixote’s encounter with the windmills, which he views as formidable giants.
The Dream of the Red Chamber
Author: Cao Xueqin
Country: China
Publication Date: 1971
Estimated Sales: 105 million copies
The book was widely regarded as one of the most important stories ever written in Chinese when it was first published in 1791. The story is about a family that lives in Beijing during the Qing dynasty’s rule as the state’s governing body. Since it was first released in Chinese as “The Story of the Stone,” this book has been translated into English and praised by millions of readers worldwide, including those in China.
The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1936
Estimated Sales: 110 million copies
The Hobbit, a fantasy tale by British novelist J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published in 1936. The book resonates with the narrative of Bilbo Baggins, a so-called hobbit who lives in a quiet city in his house, Bag End, until he is recruited by a wizard named Gandalf to help him reclaim the lost Kingdom under the Lonely Mountain from Smaug, a dragon who stole their riches. The story is set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth during the medieval period and is considered one of the best fiction books of all time.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1950
Estimated Sales: 85 million copies
When four little kids open a closet door, they find the magical, snow-covered world of Narnia inside. The evil White Witch got rid of Aslan, a colossal lion that looked like a god and was supposed to be the leader of Narnia. She is now in charge of the Fauns and talking animals. The book immediately became a classic in children’s fiction, and its six official sequels, The Chronicles of Narnia, make up the series. If you want to read more in 2023, these fiction books are great options.
She: A History of Adventure
Author: H. Rider Haggard
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1886
Estimated Sales: 83 million copies
The novel She: A History of Adventure, widely recognized as one of the most important works of fantasy fiction, relates the story of two explorers discovering a forgotten kingdom in the heart of Africa after searching for it. Any media that tells the story of a vanished civilization, such as Shangri-La or the magic and romance of an ancient place, owes this work due credit. This novel demonstrates the power of human imagination. Her work has inspired several well-known media franchises, including the Tarzan and Indiana Jones series, and it is regarded as one of the best fiction books of all time. She is a source of inspiration all around.
The Alchemist (O Alquimista)
Author: Paulo Coelho
Country: Brazil
Publication Date: 1988
Estimated Sales: 65 million copies
When a modest publishing business purchased the rights to print this novel in 1988, it was a failure. The story is about a shepherd from Spain who goes to Egypt in pursuit of wealth. However, after the firm returned the rights to Coelho, he maintained his efforts to have his novel published and read by the public. Coelho refers to his desire to be considered as “fate.” Today, his dogged determination has paid off. Portuguese was the original language here.
Conclusion
In the massive world of literature, fiction is the only type that appeals to people of all ages. Its timeless stories capture minds and hearts. As our list of the greatest works of fiction comes to an end, one thing becomes plainly clear. These literary wonders have irreversibly altered the course of history and enthralled innumerable readers.
Famous fictional masterpieces, such as “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien and “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie, have a strong emotional impact on readers worldwide. Their pages have transported us across time, taught us the width and depth of human feeling, and introduced us to mythical places.
Beyond their massive sales figures, however, there is a more profound truth. These books have transformed the lives of millions of people, kindled their imaginations and instilled a love of storytelling that knows no bounds.
Let us also enjoy the power of fiction to teach, inspire, and unite us all in our love of books as they celebrate their tremendous success.