Books are generally not subject to the limitations of films; some experimental films can last much longer than two hours. However, books can be hundreds of pages long, with some ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 pages. This means that reading certain books is more akin to watching a multi-season series or playing a long video game.

Therefore, there are likely many more ambitious and generally massive books out there. Some are classics, and below you will find a mix of them. Both older and slightly newer works are included; however, all are considered among the most ambitious books that cover a wide range of topics, contain many words to read, and require translating about 1,000 pages for most.

To start with an easy and obvious choice, Les Misérables is famous for its length and heavy narrative. Spanning nearly two decades, this work tells the struggles of fictional characters existing during a tumultuous period in French history; particularly during the period from the mid-1810s to the Paris Uprising in 1832. This book can also be described as a story revolving around a man stealing a loaf of bread and the unfortunate events that follow.

House of Leaves, on the other hand, is written in a way that makes the reader feel a bit crazy and is impressive with its layers. It includes different narrations of a documentary titled "The Navidson Record" along with analyses of its content. Essentially, it tells the story of a house that harbors a terrible secret (or a kind of portal). However, House of Leaves goes beyond just being a ghost story; some sections are strangely entertaining and thought-provoking.