One great recent American novel is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It offers a unique take on the Underground Railroad as a literal railroad underground, exploring themes of slavery and freedom in a powerful way.
Recent great American novels often deal with complex social issues. For example, many explore race relations as seen in 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones. It shows the impact of the criminal justice system on African - American families.
'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt is also a notable recent American novel. It follows the life of a young boy, Theo, after he survives a terrorist attack at an art museum and becomes obsessed with a painting. The novel explores themes of loss, art, and the human condition over a long span of time.
One of the best recent American novels is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful exploration of slavery and the journey to freedom. Another great one is 'Less' by Andrew Sean Greer, which is a humorous and poignant story about a middle - aged writer. 'There There' by Tommy Orange is also notable as it delves into the experiences of urban Native Americans.
One great recent novel is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. It tells a captivating story of a girl growing up alone in the marshes. Another is 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood, which is a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and further explores the dystopian world she created. Also, 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney is quite popular, delving into the complex relationship between two young people.
One way is to check best - seller lists. Bookstores like Barnes & Noble or online platforms such as Amazon often have lists of popular novels, which may include great recent American ones. Also, literary awards can be a good indicator. For example, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction often goes to outstanding American novels.
One recent Afro - American novel is 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett. It tells the story of twin sisters who choose different paths in life, one living as white and the other as black, exploring themes of race, identity, and family.
Another characteristic is the use of unique narrative styles. 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders uses a chorus of voices from the dead in a cemetery to tell the story. It's a very experimental and inventive way of storytelling. The novel also delves into historical events, in this case, the death of Abraham Lincoln's son, while also exploring themes of grief, love, and the afterlife.
One great recent romance novel is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's a fun and flirty enemies - to - lovers story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well - developed and their banter is both hilarious and endearing.
One recent great mystery novel is 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. It has a captivating plot with a woman who shoots her husband and then stops speaking. The mystery unfolds as a therapist tries to figure out why she did it.
Recent American novels often deal with contemporary social issues. For example, they might touch on topics like race relations, gender equality, and environmental concerns. Many also experiment with different narrative structures to tell their stories in more engaging ways.