F. Scott Fitzgerald is one. He wrote 'The Great Gatsby', a novel that is a quintessential modern American novel, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Another is John Steinbeck, famous for 'The Grapes of Wrath', which tells the story of the Joad family during the Dust Bowl and their journey to find a better life. Ernest Hemingway is also well - known. His works like 'The Sun Also Rises' are noted for their spare yet powerful prose and exploration of post - World War I disillusionment.
Ray Bradbury is an author of modern great American novels. His 'Fahrenheit 451' is a powerful dystopian novel that warns about the dangers of censorship and a society that shuns knowledge. Kurt Vonnegut is also well - regarded. His works, like 'Slaughterhouse - Five', blend elements of science fiction, dark humor, and social commentary, making them unique contributions to modern American literature.
John le Carré is a very well - known author of great modern spy novels. His works like 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and 'The Night Manager' are highly regarded. Another is Jason Matthews, who wrote 'Red Sparrow'. His writing gives an in - depth look into the world of spies. And there's also Viet Thanh Nguyen with his 'The Sympathizer' which brings a fresh perspective to the genre.
James Fenimore Cooper was a well - known author. His novels, like 'The Last of the Mohicans', were very popular. He was great at depicting frontier life and the interactions between Native Americans and settlers.
Mario Vargas Llosa is another important figure. His works often deal with political and social issues in Latin America. For example, his novels might explore topics such as military dictatorships and the struggle for democracy in the region.
Well, there are many great American authors who could be in it. For instance, O. Henry is famous for his surprise endings. His short stories are full of twists and turns that keep the readers on their toes. Then there's Jack London, who often wrote about the harshness of nature and the human struggle within it. And Sherwood Anderson, whose stories often explored the inner lives of small - town Americans. All these authors are likely to be part of the '101 great american short stories' collection.
J. R. R. Tolkien. Although he was British, his works had a huge influence on American fantasy. His detailed world - building and complex characters inspired many American authors.
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.
Ernest Hemingway is one. His short stories are famous for their sparse yet powerful prose. For instance, 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro' shows his skill in exploring themes like regret and the human condition.
One of the well - known authors is William S. Burroughs. His works, like 'Naked Lunch', are highly experimental with a cut - up technique that disrupts the normal flow of narrative.
J. D. Salinger is an important figure in American popular novels with his classic 'The Catcher in the Rye'. Dan Brown, who wrote 'The Da Vinci Code', is widely known. His novels are full of mystery and intrigue. Also, Harper Lee, with her one and only but highly influential novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' that deals with themes of racism and justice in a very engaging way.
One of the most famous is Zane Grey. His novels often depicted the adventures in the American West, with vivid descriptions of the landscape and the cowboy life.