list of great contemporary novels

Some novels in the list are characterized by their unique narrative styles. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez has a magical realist style. It blends the real and the magical seamlessly, like the story of the Buendía family living through generations with strange and wonderful events. Another aspect is that contemporary novels can be very thought - provoking. 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut makes readers think about war, time and free will.

Well, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is often considered a classic of contemporary literature. It deals with themes of racial inequality and moral growth. Also, '1984' by George Orwell is a significant work. It presents a dystopian society where the government has extreme control over people's lives, making readers think about freedom and privacy.

Some great contemporary novels include 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara. This novel is a heart - wrenching exploration of friendship, trauma, and the human condition. It's a long and intense read but very rewarding. 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood is another great one. It's a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, with a focus on the next generation and their fight for change. Also, 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders is a very creative novel that combines historical events with a unique narrative style, blurring the lines between life and death.

Some well - known ones could be 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a powerful exploration of racial injustice in the American South. Another is '1984' by George Orwell, which depicts a dystopian future with extreme government control. And 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, a coming - of - age story that has resonated with generations.

Most of them often have modern settings, like big cities or small - town America. For example, in 'Beach Read', the small - town by the beach is a key part of the story. They also usually deal with contemporary issues such as career choices and how it impacts relationships. In 'The Hating Game', the two main characters' careers play a role in their relationship. Another characteristic is that the characters are more diverse, representing different ethnicities, sexual orientations and personalities compared to older romance novels.

One characteristic is the strong sense of place. For example, in many novels, the Australian landscape, whether it's the arid outback or the coastal areas, plays a huge role. It almost becomes a character in itself, like in 'The Dry' where the harsh outback conditions are integral to the story.

Many great contemporary Irish novels often deal with themes of Irish identity. In a changing world, they explore what it means to be Irish, whether it's in relation to the country's past, its relationship with the rest of the world, or the evolution of Irish culture. For example, novels might touch on how globalization has affected traditional Irish values.

One characteristic is their diverse themes. They often deal with modern - day issues like identity, as seen in 'Never Let Me Go'. Another is the use of complex characters. For example, in 'The Goldfinch', the protagonist has a multi - faceted personality. Also, contemporary great English novels usually have rich language, which can be both descriptive and thought - provoking.

Authors like Harper Lee, who wrote 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. George Orwell, the author of '1984'. J.D. Salinger for 'The Catcher in the Rye'.

One great contemporary short novel is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a chilling story that explores the dark side of human nature through a small town's annual lottery. Another is 'Cat Person' by Kristen Roupenian, which delves into modern relationships in a very relatable way. Also, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is a classic contemporary short novel that showcases her unique Southern Gothic style.