The Recognitions, published in 1955, is American author William Gaddis's first novel. The novel was poorly received initially, but Gaddis's reputation grew, twenty years later, with the publication of his second novel J R (which won a National Book Award), and The Recognitions received belated fame as a masterpiece of American literature.[1]

Time Magazine included The Recognitions in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.[2]