In the 20th century, Albert Camus was a very important western author. His works, such as 'The Stranger', explored existentialist themes. Samuel Beckett is also famous. His plays like 'Waiting for Godot' were revolutionary in their minimalism and exploration of the human condition. And Gabriel García Márquez, although from Latin America, his magical realist works had a great influence on western literature.
George Orwell had a huge impact. His works like '1984' warned about totalitarianism and are still relevant today. Virginia Woolf was also influential. Her unique stream - of - consciousness writing in works like 'To the Lighthouse' influenced modernist literature. And T. S. Eliot, his poetry and his influence on modernist writing, especially in 'The Waste Land', was significant.
Ernest Hemingway was very influential. His minimalist writing style influenced a lot of writers. His books like 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' showed his unique take on war and human nature. Another one is George Orwell. His '1984' and 'Animal Farm' were politically charged novels that made people think about power and control.
James Joyce was very influential. His short - story collection 'Dubliners' is a masterpiece, painting a vivid picture of Irish life. Franz Kafka is also key. His strange and thought - provoking short stories, like 'The Metamorphosis', had a huge impact on modern literature. And Virginia Woolf, with her unique stream - of - consciousness style in short stories, was highly influential.
Charles Dickens is a very well - known author. His works like 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Great Expectations' are classics. Another is Jane Austen, famous for her novels such as 'Pride and Prejudice' which explored love and marriage in the society of her time. Also, Victor Hugo with 'Les Misérables' is a great 19th - century western novelist.
Jules Verne, although he started in the 19th century, his works continued to influence 20th century science fiction. His ideas about adventure in technological settings were carried forward. Stanislaw Lem from Poland was also influential. His works, like 'Solaris', explored complex philosophical ideas in a science - fiction setting. And Robert A. Heinlein was a major figure, with his books covering a wide range of science - fiction themes from space travel to social engineering.
One of the most famous is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It deals with themes of racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which warns about totalitarianism. And 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, exploring the American Dream and class differences.
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense in the film world, but he also wrote some suspense - related works. His stories were known for creating a sense of unease and mystery.
Toni Morrison was a very famous black author in the 20th century. Her works are known for their deep exploration of the African - American experience. James Baldwin was also prominent. His novels and essays addressed racial and social issues. Zora Neale Hurston was important too. Her writing was rich in depicting the black culture of the South.
As I mentioned before, Jonathan Swift wrote 'Gulliver's Travels'. He was a very important Irish writer known for his satirical works.
Emily Brontë is a notable 19th - century novelist. Her 'Wuthering Heights' is a classic. Also, Nathaniel Hawthorne from the United States, known for 'The Scarlet Letter', was an important 19th - century author.
The author of 'Lolita' is Vladimir Nabokov. George Orwell also wrote 'Animal Farm'. And James Joyce penned 'Ulysses'.