Earliest (1901) of Modern Library's 100 best 20th century novels Crossword Clue

The crossword clue "Earliest (1901) of Modern Library's 100 best 20th century novels" with the answer "KIM" refers to Kim by Rudyard Kipling was first published in 1901 and is considered one of the earliest novels in the 20th century to be included in the Modern Library’s list of the 100 best 20th-century novels. The novel is set in British India and follows the adventures of an orphaned boy named Kimball O'Hara. It was a critical and commercial success, often hailed as one of Kipling's best works.

Written by Jack London, this novel was published in 1903, making it a contender for a 20th-century novel list. However, it is later than Kim (1901). It tells the story of Buck, a dog who is sold into the harsh environment of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. While highly influential, it does not meet the criteria of being the "earliest" novel listed in the Modern Library's selection.

Written by Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis was published in 1915. It is a major work of modernist literature, telling the story of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into an insect. While it is one of the best-known works of the 20th century, its publication date makes it later than Kim, which qualifies as the earliest novel on the list from 1901.