The Greatest Caribbean Literature
This selection of Caribbean literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in the Caribbean and around the world.
Caribbean here is taken to comprise the countries of Antigua, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puert Rico, Saint Lucia and Trinidad, as well as their historical antecedents.
The Greatest Caribbean Literature focuses on the region's major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, long poetry and collections. You may also be interested in The Greatest Latin American Literature or The Greatest American Literature.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: July 3, 2024
The 22 greatest works of Caribbean literature
1841
Sab
by Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, Cuba
Novel
1882
Ismaelillo
by José Martí, Cuba
Poetry collection
1889
The Golden Age
by José Martí, Cuba
Novel
1931
Sóngoro cosongo
by Nicolás Guillén, Cuba
Poetry collection
1949
The Kingdom of This World
by Alejo Carpentier, Cuba
Novel, originally El Reino de Este Mundo
1953
In the Castle of My Skin
by George Lamming, Barbados
Novel
The Lost Steps
by Alejo Carpentier, Cuba
Novel
1956
The Lonely Londoners
by Sam Selvon, Trinidad
Novel
1959
Miguel Street
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1961
House for Mr Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1962
Explosion in a Cathedral
by Alejo Carpentier, Cuba
Novel, originally El siglo de las luces
1967
Three Trapped Tigers
by Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Cuba
Novel
Mimic Men
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1971
In a Free State
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1979
A Bend in the River
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1985
Annie John
by Jamaica Kincaid, Antigua
Novel
1987
The Enigma of Arrival
by V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad
Novel
1990
Lucy
by Jamaica Kincaid, Antigua
Novel
1992
Marisol
by José Rivera, Puerto rico
Play
1994
Breath, Eyes, Memory
by Edwidge Danticat, Haiti
Novel
2009
The Man Who Loved Dogs
by Leonardo Padura, Cuba
Novel
2014
A Brief History of Seven Killings
by Marlon James, Jamaica
Poetry collection
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