What do bestsellers lists tell us about ourselves?

[novella]

In a discussion yesterday about the state of literary fiction, comparing bestseller lists of the past came up and I found this really interesting list of 20th century bestsellers:


Bestsellers of the 20th Century, by decade

There are loads of patterns here. For instance, I think the early 70s mark a huge break from literary fiction to popular potboilers. Perhaps publishing changed then, for some reason?

Also, if you look at the 30s through the 50s (times of crisis and political distress), there are many more of what we would now regard as great works. Previous years have almost nothing like it, and the 70s and 80s are loaded with Ludlums and Forsythes and Steeles.

There is so much interesting info in this, I think. Ideas?

 

[clueless]

I think, in general, more masterpieces are written in times of crisis, distress or great changes. If life is dull and nothing ever happens, books tend to be the same: looking at one’s one navel, mid-life crisis and so on. I don’t think there are less great books today but I believe most of them come from Asia, Africa and South America, where societies are still changing and in turmoil. Unfortunately, those books rarely make it to the top of the list in other countries (if they are translated in the first place)

 

[Motokid]

Is it possible in the early years of the 20th century only the truely wealthy could read and afford books? So it's reasonable to assume the level of reading they undertook would be of higher standards...whereas, as we progress through time more and more people are not only capable of reading, but can afford it as well, but the level of what they consider quality will fall?

 

[Wabbit]

Not sure, I have to think. Anyway, that's a really interesting link! Thanks!

 

[JMS]

In a discussion yesterday about the state of literary fiction, comparing bestseller lists of the past came up and I found this really interesting list of 20th century bestsellers:


Bestsellers of the 20th Century, by decade

There are loads of patterns here. For instance, I think the early 70s mark a huge break from literary fiction to popular potboilers. Perhaps publishing changed then, for some reason?

Also, if you look at the 30s through the 50s (times of crisis and political distress), there are many more of what we would now regard as great works. Previous years have almost nothing like it, and the 70s and 80s are loaded with Ludlums and Forsythes and Steeles.

There is so much interesting info in this, I think. Ideas?

Yes Great link Going to save it, Nice find. Thanks

 

[RitalinKid]

Great post, novella. Never underestimate the importance of stopping to look back at the facts to access patterns. This is a more quantitative analysis than the common what-do-you-think thread. Kudos.

I don't have time right now to go through all the decades, but already some patterns seem to be emerging. I'll have to look closer look, and maybe I can find something. You're more the expert on literature than I, so I'm interested to see what you find.

 

[novella]

I interviewed a limnologist recently for a profile and she said something about turning the data over in your mind until it yields a pattern or maybe more than one pattern. Anyway, I think this is that sort of data.