I am always hearing about the great modern authors and that I should read them, but when I go to the store to buy something, I can't make heads or tails of any of it. Who are the great modern authors and what should I read of theirs?
2006-08-08 10:37:07 · 10 answers · asked by lizzey_in_pink 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Jhumpa Lahiri's collection 'Interpreter of Maladies' is great.
Anne Tyler: 'The Accidental Tourist' and 'Breathing Lessons'.
John Irving: The Hotel New Hampshire', 'The Wordl According to Garp'
'Case Histories' by Kate Atkinson
When you said you couldn't make heads nor tails of modern authors you reminded me of a book by B.R Myers called 'A Reader's Manifesto', which really picks apart today's so called "great writers". I recommend that too.
Other than that, enh...
2006-08-08 10:45:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be tacky and say "me" but my writing is far to niche-oriented. Rather for a good read that also has a level of thinking involved, I do like Dan Brown's work -- except for Digital Fortress where I feel his formula crumbled rather dramatically compared to earlier works. Angels and Demons really hooked me with the historical element ... this author does his homework then brings his own imagination into the fray. My only complaint is that at the end of the book I want more!
2006-08-08 17:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Loresinger99 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Pynchon is great, comepletely overwhelming but great. His writings fall under post-modern lit.
The modern period is considered 1900-1945. That would make Hemingway probably the greatest of that period though there are so many more possibilities. Consider Burroughs, Crane, Bishop, Faulkner, Ferber, E.E. Cummings, T.S. Eliot, etc.
2006-08-08 18:25:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion the two most important writers of the late 20th century are Philip Roth and the late Joseph Heller. Start with "Goodbye Columbus" and "Portnoy's Complaint" by the former, and work your way up to "American Pastoral" and "The Human Stain." For Heller, well, everyone should know "Catch-22," but also read "God Knows" and the chilling "Something Happened."
2006-08-08 18:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by jmdonovan2002 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know many people will disagree with me, but Anita Shreve has a way of writing about womanhood that seems to echo. "The Pilot's Wife" excluded, of course. And Annie Proulx ("Brokeback Mountain"), Anna Quindlen, and Zora Neale Hurston are a few other great writers. Sorry I can't help more, but I have a tendency to read stuff way older.
2006-08-08 17:47:14 · answer #5 · answered by Angela M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
May I suggest:
*Haruki Murakami - The Wind-Up bird Chronicles
*John Irving -A Widow for one year
* Chuck Palahniuk- Choke
2006-08-08 18:12:11 · answer #6 · answered by fallentobe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gabriel Garcia Marquez (100 years of Solitude) is one of my favorites as well as Paulo Coelho (Veronika decides to die). I have this same problem, I go into the book store and am just overwhelmed by the choices, I tend to rely on the advice of friends.
2006-08-08 17:45:35 · answer #7 · answered by erik c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Link to my favorite modern author: http://www.laytonelliott.com
2006-08-08 17:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by northwest.poet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Frank Peretti- Anything of his is good.
2006-08-08 17:41:17 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ His Truly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YOU SHOULD TRY HOWARD STEWART
2006-08-08 17:43:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋