Who's the writer that will be seen as the best representative of our age?
2007-01-28 18:35:12 · 12 answers · asked by Joumana 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
In most recent times, J.K. Rowling. Not only great because Harry Potter is an excellent series, but also because she was a single mother on welfare at the time she began writing, and managed to pull herself out with her writing. I believe her books have made her wealthier than the Queen of England.
2007-01-28 18:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anita 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am amazed by the shallowness of thought of those that have nominated J.K. Rowling, Stephen King and Sydney Sheldon. as the 'greatest' writer of our time. Quite clearly they are not, althought their books may be very popular and read by millions, netting each of them a fortune. However, they write potboilers that will be forgotten in 50 years time, except to PhD students writing theses on them. If you want fantasy, then the greatest has to be J R R Tolkein. If only he knew what rubbish he had inspired! No one has mentioned Iris Murdoch, Graham Greene, J B Priestley (though I have doubts about him), Francois Sagan, Albert Camus, Edna O'Brien, Kingsley Amis, Martin Amis, Iain Banks (with or without the middle 'M'), Iain Rankin - the list is endless of good writers from the last 100 years.
2007-01-28 21:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Stephen King, without a doubt.
I have a degree in English Literature (believe it or not by the choice!) and his novels work on several levels.
Full of imagery, angst, understanding, hate, goodness and written as beautifully as Burns could turn a poem, this guy really does rate. If you get away from the whole "horror" genre thing he is known for, you would read underneath greater meanings on people and situations. Do you think the movie Saw would have been thought of if there wasn't "Misery'"?
Yeah.... loved Capote as well, all one non-fiction novel that he did. But that was 40 years ago.
2007-01-28 18:42:50 · answer #3 · answered by aquiellez 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you have two totally different matters here. "Best rep of our age" is not at all the same as "best writer". On the whole, junk is more popular than intelligent fiction. I have nothing against junk, BTW; I write it myself sometimes, and also read it. I suspect you can pick one of a dozen Best Sellers and you'll get "best rep", while the best WRITER won't get a mention.
For my money, the best writer is either Diana Wynne Jones or Elizabeth Marie Pope.
2007-01-28 23:40:51 · answer #4 · answered by sallyotas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series must be the most popular book/movie series around. Or Mildred D. Taylor. Her inspiration trilogy about the Logans were great- we're doing Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry for Literature.
2007-01-28 18:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by Memyselfi 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think there are many.
JK Rowling for encouraging kids to read should be on that list, so to should Roald Dahl.
Otherwise, JRR Tolkien, and even though he is a bit too late, Charles Dickens deserves a mention!!!!
2007-01-28 23:02:08 · answer #6 · answered by Gemma. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes at least fifty years to evaluate any auther's literary work, so you can't say who is the best. The generation after 50-100 years will be to judge, not us. (I'm B.A. with English Literature as a special subject)
2007-01-28 21:03:28 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate of the Bassein Creek 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mark Twain
with a close second for Kurt Vonnegut
2007-01-28 18:41:59 · answer #8 · answered by Gordon M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stephen King. Teehee. My English Teacher was once asked out by him. She declined sadely. LOL.
2007-01-28 18:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by xxxyasavyxxx 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Sephen has some of the best books out there. He has: "IT", "THE STAND", "THE SHINEING", "CARRIE", and one of his lastest "CELL". That is just a very small list.
2007-01-28 19:13:47 · answer #10 · answered by Mitch B 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋