Top 10 Longest Books Ever Written

This seven-volume novel is considered one of the longest novels ever written, spanning 1.26 million words. Written in French between 1909 and 1922, it tells the story of a protagonist's journey through memory and time. The book contains over 3,200 pages, making it approximately 7 years to read aloud non-stop. Proust was known for his meticulous attention to detail, resulting in this massive work that is still studied by scholars today.

Spanning over 1 million words, this Russian novel is considered one of the greatest literary works ever written. Published between 1863 and 1869, it tells the story of Pierre, Prince Andrei, and Natasha during the Napoleonic Wars. The book features a unique blend of history, philosophy, and psychological insight into its characters, making it a masterpiece of world literature. "War and Peace" has been translated into over 60 languages.

Written between 1747 and 1748, this English novel is considered one of the first modern novels ever written. Spanning over 700 pages, it tells the story of Clarissa Harlowe's tragic fate after being seduced by the wealthy Robert Lovelace. This influential work satirizes societal norms and explores themes of morality, class, and romance.

Published in 1996, this postmodern American novel is known for its complex narrative structure and sheer size, weighing over 1,100 pages. It tells the story of addiction, entertainment, and connection through a multitude of interconnected storylines. Considered one of the most ambitious literary works of the late 20th century.

First published in 1922, this novel follows Leopold Bloom as he navigates Dublin during the summer solstice, weighing around 720 pages. A groundbreaking work that challenged traditional narrative structures, "Ulysses" is still considered one of the greatest modernist novels. The book explores themes of identity, nationality, and the search for meaning in a postcolonial world.

Spanning over 1,200 pages, this French novel follows Jean Valjean's journey from poverty to redemption during the June Rebellion in 19th-century France. Written between 1862 and 1869, it explores themes of justice, morality, and social inequality. The book is considered one of the greatest novels ever written by a French author.

First published in 1851, this American epic tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsession with hunting the white whale Moby-Dick, weighing around 450 pages. Spanning multiple genres, from drama to philosophy, "Moby-Dick" explores themes of revenge, man versus nature, and the search for meaning.

While not a traditional novel, this influential psychoanalytic work is considered one of the longest books ever written on psychology. First published in 1900, it contains over 700 pages and explores theories about the subconscious mind and dream interpretation. Considered foundational to modern psychotherapy.

Written between 1321 and 1327, this Italian epic poem is considered one of the greatest works of medieval literature, spanning around 14,233 lines in its original form. It tells the story of Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Its complex symbolism and poetic language have made it a timeless classic.

Written between 1879 and 1883, this French novel follows the lives of young women living on a farm in southern France, totaling around 900 pages. It explores themes of social class, poverty, and the struggles faced by rural women during the late 19th century. As part of Zola's series known as 'Les Rougon-Macquart', it offers insights into French society of that time.