History's Best Selling Books of 1920

Make way for the hits of 1920! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the golden era of American industry and the march of first-rate books. Crowd-pleasers such as The Age of Innocence shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Harriet and the Piper and Kindred of the Dust. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Edith Wharton and Kathleen Norris, these trailblazing products swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. The Age of Innocence

   Released in 1920 by Edith Wharton, D. Appleton & Company

   The Age of Innocence, published in 1920, stands as a monumental work in American literature, primarily for its incisive portrayal of late 19th-century New York aristocracy and its subsequent recognition with the Pulitzer Prize in 1922, making Edith Wharton the first woman to win the award. Released in the immediate aftermath of World War I, the novel provided a powerful contrast between the seemingly ordered yet profoundly restrictive Gilded Age society it depicted and the rapidly changing, disorienting world of the 1920s. This historical distance allowed Wharton to reflect with a unique blend of nostalgia and critical insight on the social codes and moral dilemmas that defined an earlier era, captivating readers by inviting them to ponder the costs of adherence to tradition versus personal desire.

2. Harriet and the Piper

   Released in 1920 by Kathleen Norris, Doubleday, Page & Company

   In 1920, amidst the economic prosperity and social shifts of the Roaring Twenties, Kathleen Norris solidified her reputation as a dominant voice in American popular fiction with 'Harriet and the Piper'. This novel captivated readers upon its release, quickly ascending to the Publishers Weekly national bestseller list for the year. Its success wasn't merely commercial; it tapped into the collective consciousness of a nation grappling with traditional values and emerging modern ideals, offering a narrative that resonated deeply with a broad readership eager for engaging stories of romance, social aspiration, and moral dilemmas.

3. Kindred of the Dust

   Released in 1920 by Peter B. Kyne, Cosmopolitan Book Corporation

   Released in 1920, Peter B. Kyne's 'Kindred of the Dust' immediately captivated American readers, soaring to the #2 spot on Publishers Weekly's national bestseller list. In a post-World War I era yearning for stories of resilience, romance, and moral triumph, this novel struck a chord with its compelling narrative set against the rugged backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. It wasn't merely a book; it was a cultural phenomenon, offering an escape into a world where true character battled societal judgment, cementing Kyne's reputation as a master storyteller of the common man and woman.

4. Main Street

   Released in 1920 by Sinclair Lewis, Harcourt, Brace and Company

   Published in 1920, Sinclair Lewis's "Main Street" burst onto the American literary scene as a scathing yet deeply insightful critique of the country's prevailing small-town ethos. Coming on the heels of World War I and amid rapid societal change, the novel articulated a growing disillusionment with traditional American values, particularly the perceived intellectual barrenness and suffocating conformity of rural communities. Its release was a pivotal cultural event, igniting widespread debate and forcing Americans to confront uncomfortable truths about their own towns and neighbors. The book's immediate and enduring impact established Lewis as a major voice, capturing the zeitgeist of a nation grappling with modernity and identity, while redefining the parameters of social commentary in fiction.

5. The Great Impersonation

   Released in 1920 by E. Phillips Oppenheim, Little, Brown and Company

   The Great Impersonation launched in 1920, immediately capturing the public's imagination as one of the year's top-selling novels. Penned by the master of spy fiction, E. Phillips Oppenheim, it tapped into the lingering anxieties and fascination with espionage in the immediate aftermath of World War I. Its gripping premise of mistaken identity and international intrigue offered readers a thrilling escape, solidifying Oppenheim's reputation and making the book a significant cultural touchstone of the early Roaring Twenties. Its immediate popularity underscored a public appetite for sophisticated thrillers that blurred the lines between identity and loyalty.

6. The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

   Released in 1920 by Harold Bell Wright, Book Supply Company

   In the bustling literary landscape of 1920, Harold Bell Wright's 'The Re-Creation of Brian Kent' emerged as an immediate and resounding success, captivating readers across America. Positioned as the third bestselling novel of the year by Publishers Weekly, its launch was a major cultural event, demonstrating Wright's unparalleled ability to tap into the public's yearning for moralistic tales of redemption. The novel wasn't just a book; it was a phenomenon, offering solace and inspiration in the post-World War I era, reflecting a widespread desire for spiritual renewal and the perceived purity of rural life.