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1903 Books

From bestselling novels to critically acclaimed works, 1903 was filled with captivating stories that have stood the test of time. In this list, we highlight the most popular books of 1903, celebrating the titles that topped the charts and won the hearts of book lovers everywhere.

The Call of the Wild
Written by: Jack London
Outline: The novel "The Call of the Wild," published in 1903, is considered Jack London's magnum opus. Drawing from his own experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness, the story explores the themes of the indomitable human spirit and …
The Souls of Black Folk
Written by: W.E.B. Du Bois
Outline: This seminal work by W.E.B. Du Bois, a key figure in the early 20th-century black protest movement, eloquently rejects the accommodationist approach of Booker T. Washington and instead advocates for a more assertive stance in the fight for inherent human …
Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov
Written by: Anton Chekhov
Outline: Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, acclaimed translators of renowned works, present a collection of thirty of Chekhov's finest short stories, showcasing the author's mastery in depicting Russian life and the human experience. Considered the greatest short story writer, Chekhov's works, …
The Cherry Orchard
Written by: Anton Chekhov
Outline: Chekhov's renowned tragi-comedy, "The Cherry Orchard," explores the Gayev family's struggle to confront the forces of history and societal change as they face the impending loss of their estate. Tom Murphy's adaptation, set in the final days of Anglo-Irish colonialism, …
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Written by: Kate Douglas Wiggin
Outline: "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," a beloved children's novel published in 1903, follows the story of young Rebecca Rowena Randall, who is sent to live with her spinster aunts in Riverboro after her father's death, where she brings her enthusiasm and …
The Ambassadors
Written by: Henry James
Outline: Henry James' novel follows Strether, who is sent by Mrs. Newsome to Paris to retrieve her son Chad, but Strether's perspective shifts as he becomes enchanted by the city and its influence on Chad, leading Mrs. Newsome to send another …
The Way of All Flesh
Written by: Samuel Butler
Outline: Samuel Butler's autobiographical novel, "The Way of All Flesh," published posthumously in 1903, is considered a pioneering work that shines a critical light on the hypocrisy of Victorian domestic life and foreshadows the crumbling of bourgeois ideals in the aftermath …
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
Written by: Howard Pyle
Outline: Renowned storyteller Howard Pyle's captivating tales transport readers to the enchanting world of King Arthur, chronicling his rise to the throne, his courtship of Guinevere, and the treachery and tragedy that unfold, bringing the legendary figures to life with unparalleled …
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Written by: Beatrix Potter
Outline: Nutkin and his cousins venture to Owl Island to gather nuts, but their mischievous behavior provokes the wrath of the island's guardian, Old Brown. Beatrix Potter, renowned for her beloved children's stories featuring animal characters, used the revenue from her …
The Riddle of the Sands
Written by: Erskine Childers
Outline: Two young spies uncover a secret German plot to invade England while on a sailing trip in the Baltic Sea. The novel, written by a former Royal Navy officer during World War I, served as a warning to the British …
The Complete Claudine
Written by: Colette
Outline: Colette's writing career was launched with the success of her autobiographical Claudine series, which centered on the captivating character of Claudine, a young woman whose vibrant spirit and pursuit of physical love were vividly captured by Colette's keen literary mind. …
Chokher Bali
Written by: Rabindranath Tagore
Outline: Chokher Bali, a renowned Bengali novel by Rabindranath Tagore, explores the intricate relationships and societal issues surrounding a young widow, Binodini, and her interactions with three individuals in Bengal society. The novel, initially published as a serial, delves into themes …
Man and Superman
Written by: George Bernard Shaw
Outline: Shaw's "Man and Superman" is a seminal 20th-century play that draws on various literary influences, exploring themes of the artist's role, women's function in society, and the theory of Creative Evolution. This classic drama, which was the first to be …
Tonio Kröger
Written by: Thomas Mann
Outline: Thomas Mann, the Nobel Prize-winning author, explores the complexities of youth, identity, and artistic development in his seminal work "Tonio Kroger," which reflects his own life experiences and the philosophical influences that shaped his early writing.