best contemporary southern fiction

Well, 'The Secret Life of Bees' by Sue Monk Kidd is also among the best. It's set in South Carolina in 1964. It's a story about a young white girl who runs away from home and finds refuge with a trio of black beekeeping sisters. It shows southern life, relationships, and the changing racial dynamics of the era.

Look for stories that capture the unique southern culture, like the dialects, traditions, and the sense of community. For example, if a book has characters using southern drawls and mentions things like Sunday church picnics, it's likely capturing the southern essence.

One common theme is the sense of place. The South has a distinct landscape, culture, and history that often shapes the stories. Family also plays a big role, including complex family relationships, generational differences, and family secrets. Another theme is race relations, as the South has a long and complex history in this regard.

Some of the best contemporary southern gothic novels include 'True Grit' by Charles Portis. It has a strong sense of place in the American South and features a feisty young girl seeking justice. Then there's 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt. Although not strictly set in the South, it has elements of southern gothic such as the sense of a closed - off community, secrets, and a sense of impending doom among the characters. Also, 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker, which portrays the lives of African - American women in the South, dealing with abuse, love, and finding one's voice, and it has a touch of the otherworldly in its storytelling.

Well, there's Barbara Kingsolver. She has written books that touch on southern life and environmental and social issues. And don't forget about Pat Conroy. His novels often deal with family, the South's military heritage, and the complex relationships within southern families. There are also many emerging voices in contemporary southern fiction that are starting to gain recognition for their unique takes on southern life and culture.

Look for elements like a strong sense of place in the South. If the novel vividly describes the landscapes, the small towns, the swamps, or the big plantations, it's a good start. Also, complex and often flawed characters are typical. They might be dealing with family secrets, past traumas, or social outcasts. The use of the supernatural or the grotesque is another sign. For example, if there are ghosts, strange happenings, or characters with abnormal physical or mental features. If the story delves into themes such as race, class, and the decay of the old South, it's likely a southern gothic novel.

There are many great southern fiction writers, but some of the well - known ones could be William Faulkner. His works often explored the complex social, racial, and cultural aspects of the South in a profound way, which might qualify him as one who wrote excellent southern fiction.

Well, 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney is also quite popular. It's a story that beautifully explores the relationship between two people, their growth, and the nuances of modern relationships. The characters are complex and relatable, and Rooney's writing style is very engaging.

A great contemporary fiction book is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It tackles important issues like racism and social inequality through the eyes of a young girl. It's not only a story about a trial but also about growing up and understanding the world around you.

Well, some of the top contemporary fiction books include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Although it was written a while ago, it has had a huge influence on contemporary literature with its portrayal of love and social class. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is also very popular. It delves into the mind of a disillusioned teenager. And 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien is a masterpiece of modern fantasy that has inspired countless other works in the genre.