History's Best Selling Books of 1933

Hats off to 1933! Few books commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Ann Vickers. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Anthony Adverse and Little Man, What Now?, consumers eagerly embraced the swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Sinclair Lewis and Hervey Allen set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Ann Vickers

   Released in 1933 by Sinclair Lewis, Doubleday, Doran & Company

   Ann Vickers burst onto the literary scene in 1933, captivating readers as a vibrant portrayal of a modern woman's journey in a rapidly changing America. As a Publishers Weekly #3 Bestseller, it became a significant cultural phenomenon during the Great Depression, offering a compelling narrative of ambition, social reform, and personal struggle. Sinclair Lewis, fresh off his Nobel Prize win, delivered a novel that resonated deeply with an audience grappling with societal shifts and the evolving roles of women, cementing its place as a quintessential read of its era and sparking widespread discussion about its bold themes and unflinching realism.

2. Anthony Adverse

   Released in 1933 by Hervey Allen, Farrar & Rinehart

   When Hervey Allen's colossal novel, 'Anthony Adverse,' burst onto the literary scene in 1933, it wasn't just a book release; it was a cultural event that captivated a nation reeling from the Great Depression. This sprawling historical epic offered millions a much-needed escape, transporting them far beyond their daily struggles into a vibrant 18th and 19th-century world of adventure, romance, and intrigue. Its immediate and overwhelming popularity cemented its status as a phenomenon, becoming the year's undisputed bestseller and a touchstone for discussions about grand storytelling and the power of narrative to transport and inspire readers during tumultuous times. It was more than a novel; it was a societal immersion.

3. Little Man, What Now?

   Released in 1933 by Hans Fallada, Rowohlt Verlag

   Hans Fallada’s 'Little Man, What Now?' burst onto the literary scene in 1933, captivating readers across the globe with its raw honesty and profound empathy. Published first in Germany in 1932 as 'Kleiner Mann – was nun?', its English translation in 1933 swiftly transformed it into an international phenomenon. At a time when the world grappled with the devastating effects of the Great Depression, this novel offered a mirror to the anxieties, struggles, and quiet resilience of ordinary people. It became an instant cultural touchstone, resonating deeply with a populace navigating economic collapse and an uncertain future, solidifying its place as one of the most significant books of the era.

4. Lost Horizon

   Released in 1933 by James Hilton, William Morrow and Company

   James Hilton's 'Lost Horizon' emerged in 1935 as a beacon of escapism, captivating a world grappling with the Great Depression and the ominous shadows of impending war. Its launch was perfectly timed, offering readers a fantastical journey to a hidden paradise far removed from terrestrial anxieties. The novel swiftly ascended bestseller lists, becoming a cultural phenomenon not just for its compelling narrative but for introducing the enduring concept of 'Shangri-La' – a mystical, isolated valley of peace and timelessness. It tapped into a profound human desire for utopia, solace, and the possibility of a better world, making it an instant classic and a much-discussed book of its era.

5. Oil for the Lamps of China

   Released in 1933 by Alice Tisdale Hobart, Bobbs-Merrill

   Alice Tisdale Hobart's 'Oil for the Lamps of China' burst onto the literary scene in 1933, quickly becoming a beacon of narrative amidst the gloom of the Great Depression. This compelling novel captivated a nation grappling with economic hardship, offering a vivid window into the demanding world of American expatriates in pre-World War II China. Its immediate success wasn't merely due to escapism; it tapped into deeper anxieties about corporate loyalty, personal sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of profit. The book became a cultural touchstone, generating widespread discussion and establishing Hobart as a significant voice in American fiction, portraying a unique blend of adventure, romance, and corporate drama that resonated with a broad audience.

6. One More River

   Released in 1933 by John Galsworthy, Charles Scribner's Sons

   Published posthumously in 1933, John Galsworthy's 'One More River' immediately captured the public imagination, securing its place as the #5 bestselling novel of the year according to Publishers Weekly. Coming after his death in January 1933, the book served as a poignant final literary offering from a Nobel laureate whose name was synonymous with discerning social commentary and compelling narrative. Its release was a significant cultural event, drawing readers eager to immerse themselves in Galsworthy's familiar world of English upper-class life and its intricate moral dilemmas, solidifying his enduring legacy even in his absence.

7. The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas

   Released in 1933 by Gertrude Stein, Harcourt, Brace and Company

   The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, released in 1933, stands as a pivotal historical document and a literary landmark, particularly significant in an era grappling with the Great Depression and looming global conflicts. This memoir brilliantly captured the effervescent spirit of artistic modernism and the influential expatriate community in Paris during the early 20th century. Its publication marked a dramatic shift in Gertrude Stein's career, transforming her from an avant-garde writer known primarily to a select literary circle into a celebrated author. The book not only chronicled an extraordinary period of cultural innovation but also made the often-intimidating world of modern art and literature accessible and engaging to a wide general audience, bridging the gap between high modernism and popular readership during a tumultuous decade.

8. The Farm

   Released in 1933 by Louis Bromfield, Harper & Brothers

   Louis Bromfield's "The Farm" burst onto the literary scene in 1933, quickly capturing the imagination of a nation grappling with the Great Depression. As the #9 bestselling novel of its release year according to Publishers Weekly, it became a significant cultural phenomenon. This semi-autobiographical work offered readers a poignant escape and a resonant reflection on American heritage, providing a vital connection to a bygone era of rural simplicity amidst economic turmoil. Its immediate popularity underscored a widespread yearning for roots and tradition, making it more than just a book, but a comforting touchstone in uncertain times.

9. The Forty Days of Musa Dagh

   Released in 1933 by Franz Werfel, Viking Press

   When "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh" debuted in English in 1934, gaining widespread acclaim and becoming a bestseller in 1933, it wasn't merely a novel; it was a thunderous literary event. Franz Werfel's epic tale captivated readers across America, becoming a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and solidifying its place as the 6th bestselling novel of the year. Its immense popularity stemmed from its powerful narrative of human resilience and resistance against overwhelming odds, offering a poignant mirror to the anxieties and moral dilemmas of a world teetering on the brink of another global conflict and rising totalitarianism.