What are the best anti - establishment novels?

A powerful modern anti - establishment novel is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It uses the metaphor of an actual underground railroad to tell the story of slaves escaping the oppressive establishment of slavery. It not only shows the brutality of the slave - owning system but also the strength and will of those who fight against it. Another is 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess, which challenges the idea of behavior modification and the power structures that try to enforce a certain type of 'normality' on society.

Another one could be 'The Unnamable' by Samuel Beckett. Beckett's work often subverts the normal expectations in a novel. In this one, the lack of a clear narrative and the existential themes make it an 'anti - novel'. It questions the very nature of storytelling and character development.

One of the best anti - terrorism novels is 'The Siege' which vividly depicts the complex situation during a terrorist siege and the efforts to combat it. It gives readers a sense of the high - stakes and the courage required in such scenarios.

One of the best anti - war novels is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly portrays the horrors of war from the perspective of a young German soldier. Another is 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. It uses a unique narrative style to show the senselessness of war. 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy is also a great one. It not only depicts the military aspects but also the impact of war on society and individuals at large.

One could consider 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins. It challenges religious beliefs from a scientific and rational perspective. Dawkins presents arguments against the existence of God and criticizes religious dogma.

Well, 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' by Scott Lynch is a top pick. Locke is a con artist in a fantasy world, far from the typical hero. He uses his wits and charm, often for self - serving purposes at first. Then there's 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman, which has characters like Shadow who have a dark side and don't fit the classic hero mold. Also, 'The Blade Itself' in The First Law series is great for its anti - hero Glokta.

One of the best is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. The characters in it are complex anti - heroes, blurring the lines between good and bad. Another great one is 'The Dark Knight Returns' which features Batman as an aging, more morally ambiguous anti - hero. 'A Clockwork Orange' also counts, with its protagonist Alex being a disturbing anti - hero who challenges the concepts of free will and morality.

Another great one is 'Black Hawk Down'. It is based on a real - life military operation against terrorists. It details the intense combat, the heroism of the soldiers, and the challenges they face in a chaotic and dangerous situation. The novel gives a very realistic portrayal of the fight against terrorism at a ground level.

The character of Holden Caulfield in 'The Catcher in the Rye' can be considered an anti - hero. He's a troubled teenager who rebels against the phoniness of the adult world. He smokes, drinks, and gets into various scrapes. However, his struggle to come to terms with growing up and his desire to preserve the innocence of children gives him a certain depth. He doesn't conform to the typical image of a hero, but his journey is relatable and makes him an interesting anti - hero.

One of the best is 'Watchmen'. It features complex anti - heroes like Rorschach. His uncompromising view of justice, despite his own moral ambiguities, makes him a fascinating character. Another great one is 'The Boys'. It deconstructs the superhero genre by showing the dark side of so - called heroes, with characters like Billy Butcher who will stop at nothing to take down corrupt heroes. Also, 'Preacher' is a notable anti - hero graphic novel. The main character, Jesse Custer, has a very unorthodox and often violent way of dealing with the world's problems.