Anticipation is mounting over whether Min Jin Lee’s novel, “Pachinko,” will secure a place in the New York Times (NYT) list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. The NYT intends to curate the top 100 books of this century based on a survey conducted among numerous prominent figures in the literary and arts circles.
On July 8, NYT showcased 10 books recommended by numerous prominent figures, such as novelist Stephen King, Min Jin Lee, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, and novelist John Irving. These recommendations formed the basis for the initial unveiling of books ranked 81st to 100th on the list. Particularly noteworthy was Lee’s recommended book being featured immediately after King’s, underscoring her substantial influence.
King’s initial selection for the NYT list included Ian McEwan’s Atonement, Benjamin Black’s Christine Falls, Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men, Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America, and his own book Under the Dome. Known as a master of horror and detective novels, King boasts a bibliography of over 60 novels, many of which have been successfully adapted into films or TV shows.
Korean-American author Lee debuted in 2007 with Free Food for Millionaires and gained further acclaim as the author of Pachinko, which has been adapted into a drama. Among her recommended readings are Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Tara Westover’s Educated, Edward P. Jones’s The Known World, Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed, and Phil Klay’s Redeployment.
Parker recommended Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage, Paul Murray’s Skippy Dies, Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections, Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, Zinzi Clemmons’s What We Lose, and Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys.
At this point, Lee’s Pachinko is absent from the rankings between 81st to 100th place. The question now is whether her book will secure a spot in the top 100 and, if so, what position will it achieve.