Tim O'Brien is well - known. His works such as 'The Things They Carried' offer deep insights into the minds of soldiers in the Vietnam War. He uses a mix of fact and fiction to tell the soldiers' stories.
Joseph Heller. His 'Catch - 22' is a satirical take on World War II. It shows the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy. The book is full of dark humor and complex characters.
Erich Maria Remarque. His 'All Quiet on the Western Front' is a classic of modern war fiction. It gives a very poignant and honest look at the experiences of soldiers during World War I.
Ernest Hemingway is a well - known author of post war fiction. His works often deal with the aftermath of war and the disillusionment of soldiers. For example, in 'The Sun Also Rises', he shows the aimless existence of the so - called 'Lost Generation' after World War I.
James Elroy. His works often deal with the seedy underworld of crime and gang - related activities. Another one is Mario Puzo. He is well - known for 'The Godfather' which has elements of gang wars and power struggles within the mafia.
Anne Rice is a well - known author in modern gothic fiction. She is famous for her Vampire Chronicles series which delved deep into the gothic world of vampires. Another is Stephen King, whose works often have gothic elements. For instance, 'Salem's Lot' has a strong gothic feel with its spooky small - town setting and vampire presence.
One of the most well - known is Agatha Christie. Her works, like 'Murder on the Orient Express', are classic examples of detective fiction. Another is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with his Sherlock Holmes stories.
Ken Follett is a well - known author. His works like 'The Pillars of the Earth' are great examples of modern historical fiction. It details the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages. Another is Hilary Mantel. Her 'Wolf Hall' trilogy is set in the Tudor period and gives a fresh look at the life of Thomas Cromwell. Also, there's Philippa Gregory, famous for her novels about the Tudor and Plantagenet courts, such as 'The Other Boleyn Girl' which fictionalizes the story of Anne Boleyn's sister.
Ernest Hemingway is another important figure. His prose in works such as 'The Old Man and the Sea' is characterized by simplicity and directness, yet it conveys deep emotions and themes of human struggle and perseverance.
Neal Stephenson is quite famous. His works like 'Snow Crash' blend cyberpunk elements with complex ideas about society and technology. Another is Margaret Atwood, known for her speculative works such as 'The Handmaid's Tale' which looks at a dystopian future from a feminist perspective.
J.K. Rowling is very famous for her 'Harry Potter' series which is a classic in modern fantasy. Another one is George R.R. Martin known for 'A Song of Ice and Fire'.
Nevil Shute is also an important figure. His works often involve nautical themes. For instance, in some of his books, he tells stories about airmen and seafarers, and how their lives are intertwined with the vastness of the ocean and the sky.
One of the most well - known is Neal Stephenson. His works, like 'Snow Crash', are known for their complex technological ideas and engaging stories. Another is Margaret Atwood. Her sci - fi works, such as 'The Handmaid's Tale' which has some elements of science fiction in its dystopian setting, are very popular.