Each of these epic works offers readers a journey through expansive narratives and complex worlds, highlighting the immense creativity and dedication of their authors.
We all love a good read, but let’s be honest—there's that moment of panic when the book you pick up feels like a brick! While some readers are brave enough to tackle books over 1,000 pages, others might think twice. The debate over the longest books in history is fascinating and a bit complicated. Do we count pages, words, or characters? What about translations and multi-volume works? Despite these challenges, here’s a fun look at the top five longest books by word count. Ready to be amazed by some epic literary marathons?
17.8 million words
10,710 pages
Mark Leach's "Marienbad My Love" holds the record for the longest novel ever, clocking in at over 17 million words. Picture a summer blockbuster about the end of the world, but with a twist: a Christian filmmaker stranded on a deserted island he calls Marienbad, alongside the woman he loves who doesn’t remember him. As the Apocalypse looms, the story takes unexpected turns away from traditional narratives. Curious to dive in? Explore Leach’s quirky vision of the end times.
11 million words
7312 pages
Nigel Tomm's "The Blah Story" is a delightful romp through creativity, where words break free from their usual constraints. It's a novel that encourages you to infuse every page with your own imaginative flair, making it a truly interactive reading experience!
2.1 million words
13,095 pages
"Artamène or the Grand Cyrus," authored by Madeleine and Georges de Scudéry, stands as a monumental work in French literature. Spanning an impressive 13,095 pages in its original edition and totaling about 2,100,000 words, this novel holds the distinction of being the longest French novel ever written. Despite its initial success during its publication from 1649 to 1653, its sheer length eventually contributed to its obscurity after the seventeenth century. Today, it remains a testament to the ambitious storytelling of its time, captivating readers with its expansive narrative and intricate plotlines.
2.07 million words
8000 pages
"Men of Good Will" spans across 27 volumes, making it one of literature's longest epics at 2,000,000 words and 7,892 pages. Jules Romains intricately weaves together a vast array of characters, from around 40 main figures to as many as 1,600 in total. This literary journey explores themes of friendship, societal norms, and the complexities of human life, offering readers a captivating glimpse into the fabric of 20th-century civilisation through interconnected plot threads and vibrant storytelling.
1,267,069 words
3,031 pages
"In Search of Lost Time" is like the ultimate literary marathon—impressive and influential. Virginia Woolf was so blown away, she said, "Oh, if only I could write like that!" And Edith Wharton couldn't stop marvelling at Proust's knack for balancing big ideas with tiny details. Back in Proust's day, though, critics weren't always kind, painting him as a recluse scribbling away in his cork-lined room. Despite the critics, Proust's masterpiece still stands as a timeless exploration of human experience, proving that sometimes genius just can't be fully appreciated in its own time.
Besides these, Mission Earth by L. Ron Hubbard packs in a whopping 1.2 million words across 3,992 pages, while Sironia, Texas by Madison Cooper sprawls over 1.1 million words and 1,731 pages. And let's not forget Zettels Traum by Arno Schmidt, a hefty tome with 1.1 million words spread across 1,536 pages. These books aren't just long—they're epic adventures waiting to be explored!
