The Man Without Qualities (1930)
0.2346Canon Score · ranked #61 all time
Aggregated from 6 of 14 authoritative lists, weighted by authority and adjusted for each list's scope and age. How scoring works →
About the book
The Man Without Qualities (German: Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften; 1930–1943) is an unfinished modernist novel in three volumes and various drafts, by the Austrian writer Robert Musil. The novel is a "story of ideas", which takes place in the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy's last days. The plot often veers into allegorical digressions on a wide range of existential themes concerning humanity and feelings.
Why it ranks #61
Every list on which The Man Without Qualities appears, with its position as published.
| List | Authority | Position |
|---|---|---|
| The Novel 100 (Burt) | Editorial list | #35 / 100 |
| Le Monde 100 Books of the Century | Critics' canon | #86 / 100 |
| Bokklubben World Library (2002) | Major international poll | Selected |
| Guardian 1000 Novels (2009) | Critics' canon | Selected |
| 1001 Books You Must Read (union) | Critics' canon | Selected |
| Bloom, The Western Canon (1994) | Editorial list | Selected |