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War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Few books strike fear and awe quite like “War and Peace.” With over 1,200 pages, Tolstoy’s masterpiece is the Everest of classic literature. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the novel weaves together the destinies of aristocratic families, soldiers, and dreamers. Readers are swept through sprawling battlefields, glittering ballrooms, and the minds of unforgettable characters. The novel doesn’t just recount history—it interrogates the meaning of life, fate, and love. According to Goodreads, it remains one of the most attempted and often unfinished classics, but those who reach the end wear it as a badge of honor. The book’s depth and sheer size make finishing it feel like running a literary marathon. Readers report that conquering “War and Peace” is a life milestone, not just a tick on a reading list.
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
“Infinite Jest” is notorious for testing the patience and intelligence of even the most determined readers. At over 1,000 pages, this book is a labyrinth of storylines, footnotes, and philosophical digressions. Wallace’s writing explores addiction, entertainment, and the absurdity of modern life. Its structure is intentionally challenging, with hundreds of endnotes that send the reader flipping back and forth. Many readers share online that completing “Infinite Jest” feels like surviving a complex puzzle—one that demands as much mental endurance as any physical feat. The book has a cult following, and finishing it is often seen as a rite of passage in literary circles. Wallace’s legacy endures partly because so many people try—and often fail—to finish this monumental work.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
“Atlas Shrugged” is a heavyweight in every sense, topping 1,000 pages filled with dense ideological debate. Ayn Rand’s magnum opus is a cornerstone of modern libertarian thought and a lightning rod for controversy. The novel’s story revolves around a dystopian America where the most productive citizens mysteriously disappear. Its philosophical speeches are legendary for their length, with one monologue spanning nearly 60 pages. Readers who finish “Atlas Shrugged” often describe it as both exhausting and exhilarating, with its ambitious scope forcing them to grapple with challenging economic and moral ideas. The book continues to inspire heated debates, and its completion is worn as a symbol of intellectual stamina.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
“Les Misérables” is a literary mountain, stretching beyond 1,400 pages and delving into everything from the Parisian underworld to political uprisings. Hugo’s writing is famous for digressions—entire chapters explore topics like the Battle of Waterloo or the city’s sewer system. Readers are rewarded with deep character studies and a sweeping narrative about justice, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. The novel’s emotional intensity and social commentary make it unforgettable, but its size means few people can claim to have finished it. According to a 2024 literature survey, “Les Misérables” remains a top pick for readers seeking a challenge that will stick with them for life.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” is a philosophical powerhouse, spanning over 800 pages of intrigue, debate, and family drama. The novel dives deep into questions of faith, morality, and free will, forcing readers to reflect on their own beliefs. Each character is painted with psychological depth, making their struggles feel universal and immediate. Reading this book is an emotional rollercoaster, with moments of despair and revelation. Scholars often cite it as one of literature’s greatest achievements, and those who finish it experience both relief and pride. The novel’s complexity ensures that only the most dedicated readers reach its powerful conclusion.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
“Don Quixote” is more than just a novel—it’s a cultural institution with over 1,000 pages of adventures, satire, and heart. Cervantes’ story of an aging man who dreams of knighthood is both hilarious and heartbreaking. The book’s layered narrative and shifting perspectives make it a challenge to follow, but the payoff is immense. Readers travel through Spanish countrysides, encountering bandits, windmills, and timeless reflections on reality and imagination. Modern translations have made it more accessible, but finishing “Don Quixote” still feels like a grand achievement. It remains a touchstone for anyone who loves literature, serving as both a mirror and a map for the reading journey.
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
At more than 1,500 pages, “A Suitable Boy” is one of the longest novels ever written in English. Vikram Seth’s sweeping epic is set in post-independence India, chronicling the lives and loves of four families. The book’s length allows for immense detail, with chapters dedicated to politics, poetry, and the changing fabric of Indian society. Readers become deeply invested in the characters, their dreams, and their heartbreaks. According to recent polls, finishing “A Suitable Boy” is considered a major accomplishment, often taking months to complete. The novel is celebrated for its immersive storytelling and remains a testament to patience and dedication.
The Stand (Uncut Edition) by Stephen King
Stephen King’s “The Stand” (uncut edition) is nearly 1,200 pages of apocalyptic horror and epic drama. The story follows a group of survivors after a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity. King’s world-building is meticulous, with dozens of characters and intertwining plotlines. Readers are drawn into a battle between good and evil that spans cities, deserts, and the deepest corners of the human soul. The expanded edition includes hundreds of pages cut from the original release, making it an even greater challenge. Many King fans view finishing “The Stand” as a rite of passage, proof of their devotion to both the author and the craft of storytelling.
Jerusalem by Alan Moore
“Jerusalem” by Alan Moore is a mind-bending odyssey of over 1,200 pages. The novel defies genre, blending history, fantasy, and philosophy in a dense, often surreal narrative. Set in the English city of Northampton, its timelines and realities shift constantly, demanding total focus from the reader. Moore’s prose is both poetic and complex, with passages that loop through time and space. Many readers admit to feeling both lost and awestruck, yet those who finish “Jerusalem” say it changes how they think about storytelling. The novel’s ambition and difficulty make completing it a rare and impressive feat.
Clarissa by Samuel Richardson
At nearly a million words, “Clarissa” is one of the longest novels ever written in English. Samuel Richardson’s epistolary masterpiece tells the tragic story of a woman’s struggle for autonomy in a repressive society. The novel’s format—told entirely through letters—allows for deep insight into the characters’ inner lives. Readers are drawn into a world of emotional intensity, moral dilemmas, and relentless social pressure. According to literary historians, only a small fraction of readers finish “Clarissa,” which makes completion all the more impressive. The book’s endurance as a classic is a testament to its power and the perseverance required to reach its end.
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami’s “1Q84” is a surreal, multi-volume epic that takes readers on a journey through parallel realities and mysterious cults. The novel spans three hefty volumes, totaling over 900 pages, and its twisting narrative keeps readers guessing. Murakami’s trademark blend of magical realism and existential questioning is present throughout, requiring readers to keep track of shifting timelines and identities. Many fans describe the experience as both bewildering and hypnotic, with the story’s complexity making it one of Murakami’s most challenging works. Those who complete “1Q84” often feel as though they’ve traveled through a dreamscape, emerging with new perspectives on reality and fiction.
Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
“Gravity’s Rainbow” is often cited as one of the most difficult novels ever published. Thomas Pynchon’s 760-page masterpiece is dense, nonlinear, and packed with historical references, science, and satire. The plot jumps across continents and decades, challenging readers to piece together its meaning. Scholars praise the novel’s ambition, but admit that many readers never make it past the first few chapters. Online forums are filled with stories of readers who have attempted—and failed—to finish “Gravity’s Rainbow.” Those who do complete it join a select group, having conquered one of literature’s true endurance tests.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas’s “The Count of Monte Cristo” is a sweeping saga of revenge, justice, and redemption, often published in editions topping 1,200 pages. The novel follows Edmond Dantès as he transforms from prisoner to avenger, weaving through a tapestry of intrigue and betrayal. Its intricate plot and cast of vivid characters demand close attention, rewarding readers with twists and revelations at every turn. The story’s emotional highs and lows make it a gripping experience, but the length can be daunting. Fans often compare reading it to embarking on a long journey—one that tests patience but offers immense satisfaction at the end.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Goldfinch” is a modern epic that stretches over 750 pages. The novel traces the life of Theo Decker, whose world is upended by tragedy and obsession. Tartt’s writing is richly detailed, immersing readers in the art world, New York’s underbelly, and the labyrinth of grief and hope. Those who finish “The Goldfinch” often talk about the emotional journey, with its slow build and powerful climax. The book’s length and emotional weight make completing it feel like a true accomplishment. Readers are left with vivid memories of characters and scenes, as if they’ve lived a second life within its pages.
The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil
Robert Musil’s “The Man Without Qualities” is a vast, unfinished meditation on intellect, society, and identity. With more than 1,700 pages in its full editions, the novel is a sprawling exploration of pre-World War I Austria. Musil delves into philosophy, politics, and the absurdities of modern life, often in long, meandering passages. The book is widely regarded as one of the most challenging works in European literature, partly because it was left incomplete at Musil’s death. Those who persevere through its dense prose are rewarded with insights into the human mind and the chaos of history. Finishing “The Man Without Qualities” is a rare and remarkable achievement.
The Recognitions by William Gaddis
William Gaddis’s “The Recognitions” is a notoriously erudite and demanding novel, often called the greatest unread book in American literature. At nearly 1,000 pages, it is filled with allusions, shifting perspectives, and intellectual puzzles. The story tackles themes of authenticity, art, and religion, with a narrative that challenges readers to question what’s real and what’s imitation. Readers who finish “The Recognitions” often describe the process as exhausting but exhilarating, having conquered a book that even seasoned critics sometimes abandon. The novel’s reputation as a literary Mount Everest ensures that those who complete it have truly earned their place among the most dedicated readers.
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson)
Unlike a single book, “The Wheel of Time” series is a mountain range of epic fantasy. Spanning 14 volumes and over four million words, this saga is a test of long-term commitment. The series introduces readers to a sprawling world of magic, prophecy, and adventure. Each book builds on the last, weaving hundreds of characters and storylines into a grand tapestry. According to publisher statistics, only a fraction of readers reach the end, especially since the final volumes were completed by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s death. Finishing the series is seen as a legendary feat in the fantasy community, often taking years of dedicated reading.
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time” is a monumental journey through memory, love, and society. Comprising seven volumes and over 4,000 pages, the novel is famous for its flowing sentences and introspective style. Proust’s observations of French bourgeois life are detailed and poetic, with single sentences sometimes lasting entire paragraphs. The book’s length and complexity mean that few people read it in its entirety, but those who do often call it a transformative experience. The journey through Proust’s world is slow and immersive, rewarding patience with profound insight into the nature of time and consciousness.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
Neal Stephenson’s “Cryptonomicon” is a dense, ambitious novel that combines technology, history, and mathematics. At over 900 pages, it’s a challenge even for tech-savvy readers. The story jumps between World War II codebreakers and modern-day hackers, weaving real historical events with speculative fiction. Stephenson’s attention to detail is legendary, with entire sections devoted to technical explanations and philosophical musings. Readers who finish “Cryptonomicon” often describe it as both exhausting and deeply satisfying, having learned as much about cryptography as about storytelling. The novel’s complexity ensures that only the most determined make it to the final page.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
“Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville is famous for its digressions, symbolism, and encyclopedic detail. Spanning over 600 pages, the novel is as much a meditation on obsession and fate as it is a tale of whaling. Melville’s prose can be dense, with entire chapters devoted to whale anatomy, ship life, and philosophical reflections. Many readers start “Moby-Dick” but never finish, making completion a mark of true literary grit. The novel’s reputation as a daunting classic is well-deserved, but those who reach the end are rewarded with a story that has haunted readers for generations.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
