Well, it's a bit of a messy process. Readers are a huge factor. The general public's love for a novel can make it seem great. They spread the word, recommend it to others. But critics also matter. Professional critics can analyze the novel's literary devices, its themes, and how well - written it is. Take 'Ulysses' for example. It was initially controversial but over time, with critics' in - depth analysis, it became recognized as a masterpiece. And don't forget about the influence of awards. Winning a major literary award like the Pulitzer or the Booker can catapult a novel into the 'greatest' category. But still, different people may have different opinions based on their own tastes and experiences.
There's no single entity that decides a fiction writer's greatest novel. It's a collective effort. Readers from different backgrounds and cultures contribute. A novel that speaks to a diverse group of people has a better chance of being considered great. Then, the literary community as a whole. Editors, publishers, and other writers can also influence. An editor who believes in a novel and promotes it can help it gain recognition. Writers themselves can also have an impact on each other. When one writer praises another's work, it can draw attention to it. And of course, the test of time. Novels that are still read and studied decades or even centuries later are more likely to be seen as a writer's greatest work.
Ultimately, it's a combination of factors. Readers play a large part. If a large number of readers over time love a particular novel, it starts to gain the reputation of being a great one. Critics also have a say. Their reviews and analysis can bring attention to a novel's merits. For example, when 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' was first published, critics praised its unique narrative structure and exploration of family and time. Then there are literary scholars. They study the novel in the context of the writer's body of work and the literary history. However, it's not always a straightforward consensus. Some novels are considered great in one era but might be overlooked in another, and then rediscovered later.
Scholars study the historical and literary context of novels. They might consider how a novel was received when it was first published and how it has influenced other works over time. For instance, 'Ulysses' by James Joyce was initially controversial but over time has been recognized for its innovative use of language and stream - of - consciousness technique, which led to it being regarded as a great English novel by many in the academic world.
There was no definite answer to this question because the definition of the world's greatest writer might vary from person to person. In different cultures, the definition of a literary giant was different. However, according to the recognition of the literary world and historical records, some literary giants were considered the greatest literary giants in the world. For example, shakespeare was regarded as the greatest in the history of English literature. His literary works were widely spread and influenced the entire European culture. Homer was also considered the greatest literary work of the ancient world. His works such as the Iliad and the Odysey were considered classics of world literature. However, it is not easy to determine who is the world's greatest writer because there is no clear answer to this question and it depends on different standards and definition.
It's a matter of opinion, but many would say Isaac Asimov is one of the greatest. His works had a huge impact on the genre.
The greatest science fiction novel in China.
The greatest in China. Cao Xueqin was a famous novelist in the Qing Dynasty and an important figure in the history of Chinese literature. His novel," Dream of the Red Chamber," was a masterpiece with extremely high literary value and cultural significance. It was hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese classical novels. This novel depicted the style of the aristocratic society in the Qing Dynasty, showing the good and evil of human nature, moral ethics and other issues, with a high degree of ideology and artistry. In addition, Cao Xueqin also created many other excellent literary works such as Journey to the West and Water Margins. He was regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of Chinese literature and had made an important contribution to the development and prosperity of Chinese literature.
In contemporary China, this problem is the greatest because it involves different standards and methods. Some might be considered the greatest in China: - Cao Xueqin: It is considered the pinnacle of ancient Chinese novels. His Dream of the Red Chamber is considered a classic in the history of world literature. - Lu Xun is regarded as one of the founders of modern Chinese literature. His novels and essays have had a profound impact on modern Chinese literature. - Mo Yan: He won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. His works have a unique language style and narrative skills, which have been widely praised. - Yu Hua: His novels "Alive" and "Shout in the Drizzle" have been widely praised for their deep reflection of Chinese society and humanity. Of course, these were just some of them. There were many others.
One could argue that Edith Wharton was America's greatest writer of the psychological novel. Her stories offered profound insights into human nature and the psychological nuances of her characters' lives.
Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference. Different readers may have different criteria for what makes a novel the 'best'. Some might focus on the historical accuracy, while others on the development of characters or the excitement of the plot.
Well, often it's the characters. In a fiction writer's greatest novel, the characters are vivid and complex. They feel like real people with their own motives and flaws. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet is a strong - willed and intelligent character. Her relationship with Mr. Darcy is full of twists and turns that keep readers engaged. Also, the theme can play a huge role. A great novel might explore deep human emotions like love, loss, or the search for identity. And the writing style, if it's engaging and unique, can make the novel stand out. A writer who can paint a vivid picture with words, like Tolkien did in 'The Lord of the Rings', creating a whole new world that readers can get lost in.
It's a combination of things really. Readers play a huge part. If a large number of readers love a science fiction book and recommend it to others, it starts to gain a reputation as one of the best. Critics also have a say. Professional book critics who specialize in science fiction can highlight a book's strengths, such as its unique concepts, well - developed characters, or engaging plot. Awards also contribute. For example, the Hugo and Nebula awards are highly respected in the science fiction community. Winning one of these awards often puts a book in the 'best' category.