The list sparked controversy, with many questioning the ranking and some calling it pretentious. It tends to favour canonical works that are deemed ‘literary’, which can feel elitist to some readers and overlooks more experimental and ‘less serious’ genres of literature such as romance or indie works. Literature can be very inaccessible to some and this list could perpetuate this, with many of the books on the list having challenging themes that may cater to a specific intellect or academic group rather than the average reader. Plus the list being compiled by academics and people with prestige within the literary field further colours the list as pretentious.
Ranking literature also reduces it to a competition, literature is deeply personal and its value is subjective. Imposing a hierarchy on something that is inherently personal suggests there is 'good' literature and 'bad' literature rather than celebrating it as an art form.
However, others may argue the list does serve as a celebration of literary brilliance. Many of the books chosen are recognised for their craftsmanship —whether it's the complexity of the plot or the depth and innovation of the themes. Surely these works should be celebrated and praised, encouraging other authors to continue to push the boundaries of literature. A large portion of the books selected often reflect significant cultural, political, or social movements, thus introducing readers to them is important. The list also includes works in translation and books that challenge conventional thinking, which paves the way for more unconventional and diverse books to break into mainstream media.
For some The New York Times "100 Best Books of the 21st Century is a celebration of literature, whilst for others, it may seem exclusionary.
