Buzz
While their influence may be overlooked today, books once held immense power in shaping the cultural landscape. It wasn’t just religious texts like the Bible or political works such as Manifestos and Mein Kampf that had an impact. Countless lesser-known works also made a significant difference in various ways and in different corners of the world. Here are ten such books from the past that may not have altered the course of history, but certainly deserve to be recognized within it.
10. The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan
John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come' tells the story of Christian, a man who journeys from the City of Destruction to reach the Celestial City on Mount Zion. In essence, it is an allegorical tale of the religious pilgrimage from Earth to Heaven, a popular theme in 1678 when the book was first published. Notably, Bunyan wrote much of it while in prison, having been incarcerated for 12 years for preaching without a license. Although this act was illegal, writing wasn’t, and his book became a runaway success, earning him fame far and wide. 'The Pilgrim's Progress' holds the distinction of being translated into over 200 languages—more than any book other than the Bible—and remains one of the most-read works in the English language. As for Bunyan, it is said that his fellow Puritans requested to be buried beside him when they passed away (rather than at the actual Mt. Zion).
9. Bruges-la-morte Georges Rodenbach
'The Dead Bruges,' as it could be translated into English, is a novella by Georges Rodenbach, published in 1892. Set in the Belgian city of Bruges, it follows the life of Hugues Viane, a man who relocates there after the death of his wife. Overwhelmed with grief, he immerses himself in the city, surrounded by the possessions and memories of his late spouse. Eventually, he encounters a new love interest, but—spoiler alert—he ends up strangling her, as she doesn’t remind him enough of his deceased wife. Upon its release, the book garnered significant attention, most notably for being the first fictional work to be illustrated with photographs, primarily depicting scenes of Bruges. It is also believed to have inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, making it an essential influence on the thriller genre, as well as one of the most influential Symbolist novels, which, in essence, means it was an evocative story where little actually occurred.
8. The Songs of Bilitis Pierre Louÿs
Here’s another one written in French, this time by an actual French author (as his name might suggest). Pierre Louÿs’ 'Les Chansons de Bilitis' is a collection of erotic poems from 1894, which he pretended were penned by an ancient Greek woman named Bilitis. This misled many scholars for a long time, as the poems closely mirrored the style of the Greek poet Sappho, whom Louÿs claimed Bilitis knew. Naturally, the poems were actually written by Louÿs himself—and considering the pseudonym he used for the supposed discoverer of Bilitis' work was 'Mr. S. Ecret,' you’d think the scholars would have caught on sooner. Nevertheless, the collection holds historical significance for its portrayal of lesbians, like Bilitis and Sappho, at a time when their rights and recognition were far from equal to those of others. In fact, the book played a key role in the advancement of gay rights, even inspiring the name for the Daughters of Bilitis, the first political and civil rights organization for lesbians in the United States.
7. The “I Ching” Fu Xi
Fu Xi, said to have ruled over Ancient China in the 29th century B.C., is also attributed with having lived to the ripe age of 197 and creating people out of clay, so take those stories with a pinch of skepticism. Nevertheless, the 'I Ching'—which Fu Xi is credited with writing—has been around since at least 1000 B.C., making it one of the oldest surviving Chinese texts. Often referred to as the 'Book of Changes,' it offers oracles represented by hexagrams, which are binary lines. The purpose was to cast these hexagrams (for example, by interpreting cracks in a burning turtle shell) and read their meaning from the 'I Ching' to answer life’s questions. In today’s world, we rely on Magic 8 Balls for similar insight, but for millennia, the I Ching was a vital tool for divination. Its underlying philosophies, especially the concept of 'yin' and 'yang,' have endured over time and can still be found symbolized in various places, from South Korea’s flag to the DHARMA Initiative in popular culture.
6. The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to simply as the Gita, is a pivotal scripture within the vast Mahabharata, a monumental work stretching close to two million words. The Gita’s verses convey Lord Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna, offering profound philosophical insights. Its influence has been significant, inspiring both religious and secular thinkers, such as Albert Einstein, Aldous Huxley, and Carl Jung. J. Robert Oppenheimer, upon witnessing the first successful nuclear test, famously quoted its verse: “Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds.” Mahatma Gandhi held the Gita in high esteem, calling it his “spiritual dictionary.”
5. The Golden Ass by Apuleius
Turning back to the world of literature and transformation, Apuleius’ work, originally published around the 2nd century A.D., is most famously known as The Golden Ass. The story revolves around Lucius, who, seeking to turn into a bird, inadvertently transforms into a donkey instead. His journey to break free from this new form involves joining a cult, offering a humorous yet meaningful adventure. The Golden Ass is one of the earliest examples of the picaresque novel, and notably, it is the only complete Latin novel to have survived through the ages, making it a must-read.
4. The Novum Organum by Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, one of the most renowned English philosophers and a man of many talents, was knighted in 1603 for good reason. His most notable achievement is the 1620 publication of the Novum Organum, meaning 'New Instrument' in English. This work is a treatise on natural philosophy, which we now refer to as science. Bacon proposed a new system for scientific inquiry, challenging the traditional Aristotelian methods. This approach, known as the Baconian method, earned him the title 'father of empiricism' and laid the foundation for modern scientific thought. If you’ve ever studied science, you’ve likely encountered this method, as it paved the way for today’s scientific method.
3. The Metamorphoses by Ovid
Here, we encounter another set of myths, this time from Ancient Rome, which might be a bit lesser-known. Ovid’s grand work, the Metamorphoses, presents over 250 myths, all centered around the theme of metamorphosis. Completed around A.D. 8, the same year Ovid was exiled from Rome for his other, more controversial poetry, the Metamorphoses has left a lasting legacy, influencing renowned authors like John Milton, Dante, and Geoffrey Chaucer. Notably, William Shakespeare, whose Romeo & Juliet is based on Ovid’s tale of Pyramus & Thisbe, also weaved references to Ovid’s work into several of his plays. The Metamorphoses is considered to have had a greater impact on literature than any other work except Shakespeare’s own, and the Bible. Writers, it’s high time to step up.
2. Children’s and Household Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
The Grimm name is likely familiar to you, especially with its modern interpretations. The first collection of what we now call Grimm’s Fairy Tales was published in 1812 under the simple title Children’s and Household Tales, spanning two volumes. The brothers compiled over 200 German stories, many of which were far from suitable for children due to their violence, mature themes, and compelling storytelling (Think: Grimm on NBC). Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, the collection has remained a cultural phenomenon, bringing characters like Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Snow White into global prominence (See: Once Upon a Time, Sundays on ABC or any Disney movie).
1. Confessions of a Thug by Philip Meadows Taylor
For a period in history, prior to India’s independence in 1947, the British ruled over the subcontinent. It was during this British India era that Philip Meadows Taylor wrote his influential novel, Confessions of a Thug. Published in 1839, the book came at a time when Western depictions of India were often steeped in racism. However, Taylor’s open-minded approach and focus on realism helped redefine the portrayal of the East, setting new standards and transforming the novel into more than just another exotic adventure story. The protagonist, Ameer Ali, a notorious member of the real-life Thuggee cult, was reportedly inspired by one of Taylor’s Thug acquaintances. The novel became a bestseller and influenced the works of authors like Rudyard Kipling, known for The Jungle Book. Additionally, Confessions of a Thug is believed to be the source of the term ‘thug’ in the English language, just as I’m about to introduce the word ‘swestering.’
