Discover the top 10 best-selling novels of all time, regardless of genre or age group. These books have amassed a huge following and sold millions of copies worldwide over the past few centuries. From Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes to A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, these novels have left a lasting impact on literature and culture. Other popular books on the list include The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, and And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Whether you’re a fan of classics or modern thrillers, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Top 10 Best-Selling Novels of All Time
No matter what genre or age group a novel caters to, there are certain books that have become a cornerstone of literature. Over the past few centuries, these books have amassed a huge following and sold millions of copies worldwide. Here are the top 10 best-selling novels of all time:
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
First published in 1605, Don Quixote is a Spanish novel about a man named Alonso Quixano who gets so carried away with books about chivalry and knights that he decides to become a knight himself. The novel is considered a masterpiece of literature and has sold over 500 million copies, making it the best-selling novel of all time.
2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel set during the French Revolution. It was published in 1859 and has since sold over 200 million copies worldwide. The novel’s famous opening line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” has become a classic quote.
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy novel published in the 1950s. It follows the journey of a hobbit named Frodo Baggins as he sets out to destroy the One Ring, an evil artifact that has the power to control the world. The novel has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and has become a cultural phenomenon.
4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Originally published in French in 1943, The Little Prince is a novella about a young prince who travels from planet to planet and learns valuable life lessons along the way. It has been translated into over 300 languages and has sold over 140 million copies worldwide.
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The first book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was published in 1997. It follows the story of a young boy, Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard and attends a school for witches and wizards. The book has sold over 120 million copies worldwide and has spawned a hugely successful film franchise.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit is a fantasy novel published in 1937. It follows the journey of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins as he sets out on a quest to help a group of dwarves reclaim their treasure from a dragon. The novel has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into several successful films.
7. Origin by Dan Brown
Origin is a thriller novel published in 2017. It follows the story of a Harvard professor named Robert Langdon as he tries to uncover a conspiracy surrounding the origin of humanity. The novel has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is the latest addition to Dan Brown’s bestselling Robert Langdon series.
8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None is a mystery novel published in 1939. It follows the story of ten people who are invited to an island and are subsequently killed off one by one. The novel has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling mystery novels of all time.
9. Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin
Published in the 18th century, Dream of the Red Chamber is a Chinese novel that tells the story of two noble families and their declining fortunes. The novel has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
10. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, was published in 1950. It tells the story of four siblings who discover a magical world called Narnia while playing hide and seek in a wardrobe. The novel has sold over 85 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into several successful films.
Conclusion
These 10 best-selling novels have captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers worldwide. Whether you’re a fan of classics or modern thrillers, there’s something on this list for everyone.