Donna Tartt is a prominent figure. Her novel 'The Goldfinch' is a long and detailed exploration of a young man's life in modern times, dealing with themes of art, loss, and the search for self. Also, George Saunders is known for his unique brand of modern literary fiction. His short stories often use a satirical and sometimes dystopian lens to look at modern society, with a focus on the moral and ethical issues that people face today.
Haruki Murakami is a very popular author in modern day literary fiction. His novels, for example 'Norwegian Wood', are known for their dreamy, often surreal quality while still touching on modern themes like love, loss, and the search for meaning in a consumer - driven society. Colson Whitehead is also well - known. His work 'The Underground Railroad' is a blend of historical and modern sensibilities, exploring the legacy of slavery in a way that is relevant to today's discussions on race and inequality.
James Joyce is one of them. His work 'Ulysses' is a masterpiece of modern literary fiction. It is complex and full of allusions. Another is Virginia Woolf. Her novels like 'Mrs. Dalloway' are known for their stream - of - consciousness writing and deep exploration of the female psyche. Ernest Hemingway is also well - known. His spare writing style in works such as 'The Old Man and the Sea' makes his stories powerful and impactful.
Margaret Atwood is a very well - known author. Her book 'The Handmaid's Tale' is a famous modern day dystopian work. Another is Suzanne Collins. Her 'The Hunger Games' trilogy is extremely popular. George Orwell also counts, as '1984' is a classic that still has a strong influence on modern dystopian concepts.
One of the well - known authors is Gillian Flynn. Her books like 'Gone Girl' are full of twists and turns. Another is Tana French. Her Dublin Murder Squad series is very popular. And of course, there's James Patterson. He has written numerous detective novels with fast - paced plots.
Deborah Harkness is quite well - known for her 'All Souls' trilogy which is part of modern day witch fiction. Alice Hoffman is also famous, especially for her book 'Practical Magic'. Another is Paula Brackston who has written books like 'The Witch's Daughter'.
Philip Pullman is known for his 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. His work delves deep into themes of religion, science, and free will while being set in a richly imagined world with daemons and other fantastical elements. And then there's George R. R. Martin, although his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is also part historical fantasy, it contains a great deal of the elements that make literary fantasy so engaging like magic, dragons and complex political intrigue.
J. G. Ballard is a significant author in this genre. His works often deal with strange and disturbing speculative concepts. For example, 'Crash' explores the relationship between technology, the human body, and sexuality in a very unique and somewhat controversial way. Octavia E. Butler is also a great figure. Her books, like 'Kindred', blend elements of time travel and historical and social commentary. She uses speculative elements to explore race, gender, and power relations in a way that is both engaging and thought - provoking.
There is also Alasdair Gray. His writing is highly regarded for its exploration of Scottish identity and culture. His works are often rich in detail and cover a wide range of themes from the political to the personal. James Kelman is another significant figure. His writing is known for its use of Glasgow dialect and for portraying the lives of ordinary Scots in a very real and often challenging way.
One of the most well - known is Jane Austen. Her works, such as 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Emma', are classic examples of serious literary fiction. Austen was brilliant at depicting the social norms and relationships of her time in a witty and engaging way. Another is F. Scott Fitzgerald. His 'The Great Gatsby' is a masterpiece that explores the Jazz Age and the hollowness of the pursuit of wealth and status. And then there's Leo Tolstoy. 'War and Peace' is an epic novel that delves into the nature of war, love, and family during the Napoleonic era.
J.R.R. Tolkien is very well - known. He created 'The Lord of the Rings' series which has had a huge impact on the fantasy genre. Another is C.S. Lewis, with his 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. And George R.R. Martin is also famous for his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, which has been adapted into the popular TV show 'Game of Thrones'.
One well - known author in current literary fiction is Kazuo Ishiguro. His works often explore themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time in a very profound way. Another is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She writes about African experiences, feminism, and cultural clashes in a powerful and engaging manner.