Top 10+ Forgotten Novels Worth a Second Chance

Stoner by John Williams

Once overlooked, "Stoner" by John Williams has slowly gained a quiet cult following. Originally published in 1965, the novel follows the life of William Stoner, a humble English professor at the University of Missouri.

For decades, it languished in obscurity, selling only a few thousand copies. However, in the last decade, critics and readers have rediscovered its haunting simplicity and emotional power.

The novel’s depiction of an ordinary life, with all its disappointments and quiet victories, resonates deeply in today’s world. Recent data from the New York Review of Books notes a 400% sales increase since 2013.

Many readers now call it “the greatest American novel you’ve never read.” It’s a reminder that extraordinary stories often hide in plain sight.

The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard’s "The Transit of Venus," published in 1980, won the National Book Critics Circle Award but soon faded from mainstream attention. The novel explores the entwined lives of two Australian sisters in postwar England, offering a sharp, lyrical take on fate and longing.

Despite early praise, it missed out on the commercial success of contemporaries like Margaret Atwood. Recently, literary circles have started to praise its intricate structure and emotional intelligence.

In 2024, The Guardian listed it as a must-read classic for new generations. The book’s subtlety and depth are often compared to the works of Virginia Woolf, making it a hidden gem for those who crave beautifully written fiction.

Speedboat by Renata Adler

In 1976, Renata Adler’s "Speedboat" arrived with a bang, winning the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award. However, it soon slipped out of sight, overshadowed by more traditional narratives.

The novel’s fragmented, witty style—resembling a series of sharp snapshots—was ahead of its time. Now, as experimental fiction gains popularity, "Speedboat" is being celebrated anew.

In 2023, The Paris Review called it “startlingly relevant,” noting its unique take on urban life and disconnection. Readers who enjoy the fragmented style of Rachel Cusk or Jenny Offill find Adler’s voice fresh and modern, despite being written nearly 50 years ago.

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy

Elaine Dundy’s comic novel, "The Dud Avocado," first published in 1958, tells the story of a young American woman’s chaotic adventures in 1950s Paris. Though praised by critics—Gore Vidal called it “one of the best novels about growing up fast”—it gradually disappeared from bookshelves.

In the past few years, its playful spirit and sharp observations have won new fans. NPR listed it among “forgotten classics to rediscover” in 2022, and Penguin brought out a new edition.

The book’s blend of humor and insight into youthful ambition continues to connect with readers seeking escapism and self-discovery.

The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards

Published posthumously in 1981, "The Book of Ebenezer Le Page" is set on the island of Guernsey and tells the life story of its cantankerous, unforgettable narrator. G.B.

Edwards wrote the novel over many years, but it was almost lost to history until friends campaigned for its release. The book offers a rare window into a vanishing way of life, filled with warmth and wit.

In 2023, The Times Literary Supplement named it “the best novel you’ve never heard of.” Sales have picked up in recent years as island fiction becomes more popular, especially after the success of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." It remains a beloved secret among those who discover it.

Ice by Anna Kavan

Anna Kavan’s "Ice," published in 1967, is a surreal, dystopian novel that went largely unnoticed during her lifetime. Combining science fiction, psychological drama, and poetic imagery, it tells of a nameless narrator’s obsession with a mysterious woman against the backdrop of an encroaching ice age.

As climate change and dystopian fiction have moved into the spotlight, "Ice" has found new relevance. In 2024, Wired magazine highlighted it as a “pioneer of climate fiction.” The book’s dreamlike narrative and haunting atmosphere have inspired a new generation of readers and writers, earning it a place in university courses on speculative fiction.

The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead

Christina Stead’s 1940 novel, "The Man Who Loved Children," is a family saga that was almost forgotten until writer Jonathan Franzen championed it in a 2010 New York Times essay. The novel’s intense portrayal of family dysfunction and psychological complexity set it apart from its contemporaries.

Sales tripled following renewed attention, but it remains underappreciated today. In 2023, The Atlantic praised its “unflinching honesty” and intricate character studies.

Stead’s unvarnished look at the dark side of family life makes it a powerful, if challenging, read for those willing to explore emotional extremes.

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

"Revolutionary Road," published in 1961, is Richard Yates’s searing critique of suburban life and the American Dream. Despite early acclaim, the novel was overshadowed by the works of John Updike and Philip Roth.

After a 2008 film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, interest surged, but sales soon declined again. In 2024, Book Riot called it “the best book about marriage no one talks about.” Yates’s unflinching depiction of disillusionment and quiet desperation speaks to modern anxieties about conformity, making it deserving of a renewed audience.

The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson

Frans G. Bengtsson’s "The Long Ships," originally published in Sweden in two parts (1941, 1945), is a Viking saga that has enchanted Scandinavian readers for decades.

Yet, it remains largely unknown in the English-speaking world. The novel blends adventure, humor, and historical detail, following the exploits of Red Orm across medieval Europe.

The New Yorker called it “a rollicking classic overdue for international fame” in 2023. Recent data shows a spike in sales after a new English edition was released in 2021.

Its swashbuckling spirit and vivid characters offer an irresistible alternative to more familiar historical epics.

Nightwood by Djuna Barnes

Djuna Barnes’s "Nightwood," published in 1936, was praised by T.S. Eliot as “one of the greatest books of the twentieth century.” Despite this, its avant-garde style and exploration of sexuality kept it on the margins.

With growing interest in LGBTQ+ literature and modernist experimentation, "Nightwood" has reemerged as a work ahead of its time. In 2024, The New York Times included it in their “Classics for a New Era” feature, noting a 200% increase in library checkouts over the last year.

Readers are drawn to its lush, poetic prose and the raw emotion of its characters’ struggles for identity and connection.