1982: Little, Big

The story revolves around Smoky Barnable, a nebulous sort of bloke, who falls in love with a tall and delicate woman. Completely besotted, he chooses to suspend his beliefs in order to follow her. He considers himself the luckiest man alive when he marries her and enters her enchanted home in the woods. The narration drifts backward and forward in time to eventually include six generations of the Bramble, Drinkwater, Cloud, Mouse, Hawksquill, and Barnable families. What becomes evident is that the fairy kingdom is manipulating the entire family. Some believe this more than others, but no-one knows how this fantastical tale will end.Why it's on the listLittle, Big is more of an experience than a book. It feels slow at first, but it certainly rewards you for your patience. You will fall in love with Barnable and his extraordinary marriage into a unique family. Beneath the surface of this gentle lark beats the heart of a magically amazing story that is part parable for how to enjoy a healthy and fulfilled life. This is one of those timeless, eternal, stories that take on new meanings each time you read it. From the first word, you are caught up in the oddly modern yet nostalgic feeling that Little, Big brings - a wonderful sense of timelessness. John Crowley has managed to create a story that doesn't feel like fantasy – it is truly literary fiction that happens to have fantastical elements.Read if you likeModern Fantasy, Fairie Tales.