This is a selection of modern (post-1900) literary fiction written by various authors (with GEMs highlighted). The list includes links for several associated items which may be available online for each book: (a) Wikipedia page, (b) e-book, and (c) audiobook. There is also a column called “More info” with links to optional posts on each book. [Note: I have chosen not to include links to e-books or audiobooks for titles published after 2010, since these books may be still in print. Most of them should also be available at your local library.]
Note that the list is sortable by each column. (Multiple levels of sorting are possible by sorting more than one column in succession, from lowest to highest.) You can also do an instant filtering of the table by entering a character string in the ‘Search’ field.
This section includes a selection of books by modern writers of literary fiction, and contains both novels and short-story collections. (Please note that the works of W. Somerset Maugham are excluded, since he has his own section.) While the authors of fiction prior to the 20th century emphasized storytelling and narrative, many modern authors emphasize style and elegance, often using a stream-of-consciousness narrative and delving deep into the psychological makeup of their characters. These characters are frequently angst-ridden and cynical, with many pages being devoted to self-doubt or clever witticisms which don’t advance the story. Such novels are not to my taste, and you will not find many of them in the list below.
My preferences in literary fiction, which I believe line up with most people’s, lean towards good storytelling and interesting characters. When an author focuses on demonstrating his or her virtuosity by means of long, soul-searching passages written in elegant prose (which critics love), it often comes at the expense of storytelling. It may be sacrilege to say this, but many of these books which are adored by highbrow critics are boring, and one has to struggle to get through them. I believe the best books combine elegant writing with a great plot and interesting characters. This makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next, and most of the books below fall into this category.
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