| EASTOFEDEN | 1952 novel which John Steinbeck considered his best work (4,2,4) |
| MASTERPIECE | Teacher takes a bit to produce his best work (11) |
| THEPEARL | Which John Steinbeck short novel features diver Kino, his wife Juana and baby Coyotito? (3,5) |
| OFWRATH | Which John Steinbeck novel takes its name from the second line in the American patriotic song The Battle Hymn of the Republic? (3,6,2,5) |
| THEGRAPES | Which John Steinbeck novel takes its name from the second line in the American patriotic song The Battle Hymn of the Republic? (3,6,2,5) |
| GERMINAL | The thirteenth novel in Emile Zola's twenty-volume series Les Rougon-Macquart, often considered his masterpiece |
| FINLANDIA | Tone poem by composer Jean Sibelius, considered his country's unofficial national anthem (9) |
| OPTIMISTIC | Expecting the best work with Timothy on one's contract (10) |
| ROMANACLEF | Novel which portrays real people under fictitious names (5,1,4) |
| ANIMALFARM | 1949 novel which begins with the name Mr Jones |
| THESELLOUT | 2015 Man Booker Prize-winning novel, which opens, "This may be hard to believe, coming from a black man, but I've never stolen anything" |
| OPTIMA | They're the best work a college recalled (6) |
| BILLIARDTABLE | Willie Hoppe & Walter Lindrum did their best work on this playing surface (8,5) |
| OPTIMUM | Best work by small boy, with little hesitation |
| OPTIMAL | The best work by two familiar men (7) |
| OPUS | Magnum ___ the best work of an artist |
| SOTOSPEAK | Drunk bands do their best work, in a way |
| PORTFOLIO | Compilation of one's best work, say |
| HOSPITAL | Place where obstetricians do their best work |
| NOBELPEACEPRIZE | International award bestowed since 1901 for "the best work for fraternity between nations" |
