Modern & Literary Fiction Books
Trick or Treat by Katerina Diamond
'Stunningly brilliant... Full of more twists and turns than the best ever rollercoaster, with an epic ending' NetGalley review ...
View full detailsCloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST 'A dazzling epic of love, war and the joy of books' Guardian ...
View full detailsTreacle Walker by Alan Garner
'Playful, moving and wholly remarkable' Guardian 'A small miracle' New Statesman 'Mastery of craft, resonance and deep feeling on...
View full detailsWho's Lying Now? by Susan Lewis
Don't miss the captivating new page-turner from Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis You think you know your neighbours...
View full detailsOne of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
*Don't miss the brand new destination thriller from Lucy Clarke - THE HIKE - available to pre-order now* 'Brimming with tension' CLARE MAC...
View full detailsThe Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
Don't miss the brand-new chilling gothic thriller from the bestselling author . . . 'Fascinating and enthralling' Prima'Wonderf...
View full detailsDial A For Aunties by Jesse Sutanto
Winner of the Comedy Women In Print Prize 2021 'Whip-smart, original and so funny. I found it impossible to put down and lost count of the...
View full detailsQ by Christina Dalcher
**CHRISTINA DALCHER'S GRIPPING NEW THRILLER FEMLANDIA IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!** 'Terrifyingly plausible' Louise Candlis...
View full detailsFemlandia by Christina Dalcher
The gripping new thriller from the bestselling author of VOX and Q 'A compelling, fast paced read.' Guardian ...
View full detailsSnow Bride by Dilly Court
Don't miss the fifth book in the heartwarming six-part series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court! 'I fo...
View full detailsSunday's Child by Dilly Court
Don't miss the fourth book in the heartwarming six-part series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court! Left on the step...
View full detailsThe Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies
An island of secrets. A runaway. And a promise... A rebellious daughter1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the ti...
View full detailsDaughters of War by Dinah Jefferies
The first book in a brand new sweeping historical series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author 'A warm and engrossing ta...
View full detailsMothers and Daughters by Erica James
A sweeping family drama of old secrets and new beginnings... 'A satisfying treat' Adele Parks, Platinum ...
View full detailsThe Therapist by B A Paris
TELL ME YOUR SECRETS... 'Tense and compulsive' Louise Candlish, bestselling author of The Other Passenger 'Suspicion, betrayal...
View full detailsThe End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
'A FIERCELY INTELLIGENT PAGE-TURNER' PAULA HAWKINS 'WRITTEN PRE-COVID - GRIPPING, SCARY AND PERSUASIVE' IAN RANKIN 'THE STUFF THA...
View full detailsOn a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk
It only takes one night to fall in love... Pre-order now! 'So uplifting and wildly romantic' M...
View full detailsSummer at Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts
The Pudding Pantry opens its doors for summer. And there are wedding bells on the horizon . . . The sun is shining as Rache...
View full detailsThe Stalker by Sarah Alderson
'WOW! WOW! WOW! What a read!' NetGalley reviewer 'The blockbuster of the summer!' NetGalley reviewer 'THAT twist. I did not see i...
View full detailsThe Cosy Cottage in Ireland by Julie Caplin
The latest book in the international bestselling series that has hit the charts in Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic! Snuggl...
View full detailsThe Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin
'Up there with the best of them...A big, fat five stars from me' Sue Moorcroft 'An irresistible slice of escapism' Phillipa Ashley ...
View full detailsChristmas Wishes by Sue Moorcroft
A sparkling Christmas read from the Sunday Times bestseller - perfect to snuggle up with this winter! Hannah and Nic...
View full detailsThe Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
*A finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction, discover this year's most uplifting and heart-warming debut* 'Absolutely gorgeous'...
View full detailsThe Dog Share by Fiona Gibson
'Brilliant and funny... I raced through it at 90 mph and was devastated at the last page and just wanted to go read it all again... Sheer genius......
View full detailsCat Lady by Dawn O'Porter
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER **Don't miss the collector's edition with a specially designed board, exclusive ...
View full detailsThe Nurse by Claire Allan
'Wow! This book kept me on the edge of my seat and every time I thought I knew what was going to happen there was another fabulous twist. I loved i...
View full detailsOlive by Emma Gannon
The debut novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, Emma Gannon. 'Explores such an important topic with a lightness and warmth' D...
View full detailsNight. Sleep. Death. The Stars. by Joyce Carol Oates
The bonds of family are tested in the wake of a profound tragedy, providing a look at the darker side of our society The bonds of family...
View full detailsWho They Was by Gabriel Krauze
Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2020 A Spectator Book of the Year 'A literary renderi...
View full detailsBe Careful What You Wish For by Vivien Brown
'A story about friendship and family, and coming to terms with life and the challenges it throws at you while finding the courage and resilience to...
View full detailsThe Wish List by Sophia Money-Coutts
This Christmas, love is top of Florence Fairfax's wish list 'Feel-good and enormous fun' Sophie Kinsella 'Full of wit, ...
View full detailsFake Accounts by Lauren Oyler
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE PRIZE A wry, provocative and very funny debut novel about identity, authenti...
View full detailsSugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs
A LibraryReads 2022 Top 10 Pick 'This is another winner from Wiggs' Booklist The heart-warming new story fr...
View full detailsScabby Queen by Kirstin Innes
'Gripping and moving. A literary triumph' Nicola Sturgeon 'A humane and searching story' Ian Rankin ...
View full detailsA Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
A New York Times bestseller * A Washington Post 10 Books to Read in March * One of Cosmopolitan's Best Books by POC for 2019 * A Refinery 29 Best B...
View full detailsWe Just Clicked by Anna Bell
Pre-order your copy of the new heartwarming and romantic Anna Bell novel, Note to Self! 'Such a fun read!' Carrie Hope Fletcher, Sunday Ti...
View full detailsAdults by Emma Jane Unsworth
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'HILARIOUS' Stylist 'DAZZLING' Marian Keyes ...
View full detailsSaving Missy by Beth Morrey
'A touching, deftly written debut that celebratescommunity and kindness' Sunday Times Seventy-nine is too late for a...
View full detailsThe Cornish Cream Tea Summer by Cressida McLaughlin
'Captivating' Heat Magazine 'Beautiful... heartwarming' Zara Stoneley 'A wonderful ra...
View full detailsMeet Me at Pebble Beach by Bella Osborne
Meet Me at Pebble Beach was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package. Regan is h...
View full detailsAll For You by Louise Jensen
'A galloping pulse-pounder' Heat '[A] gripping thriller . . . with perfectly observed emotions and red herrings that will boggle the mind'...
View full detailsThe Stolen Sisters by Louise Jensen
'The queen of high-tension grip lit delivers a twisted tale that won't let you go' Sunday Times Crime Club ...
View full detailsCrossroads by Jonathan Franzen
'His best novel yet ... A Middlemarch-like triumph' Telegraph 'A pleasure bomb of a novel' Vogue 'A true modern master' Independe...
View full detailsThe Summer We Ran Away by Jenny Oliver
A moment of madness. A summer of a lifetime. 'Pure escapism' Bella 'Hilarious and relatab...
View full detailsLost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD AND THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE AND THE WOMEN'S PRIZE The movin...
View full detailsThe Dilemma by B A Paris
Knowing the truth will destroy her. Keeping it secret will destroy him. 'A powerful, beautifully crafted story that ratch...
View full detailsForgive Me by Susan Lewis
Don't miss the brand-new book from the Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis! I can't forgive myself. Not afte...
View full detailsRemain Silent by Susie Steiner
LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR AN UNMISSABLE NEW NOVEL FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST...
View full detailsCreative, formula-bending, genre-defying, character-focused, and most importantly, a literary exploration of the human condition—contemporary & modern literary fiction is arguably the most experimental genre within literature.
The landscape of literary fiction is constantly being revolutionised by literary fiction authors; that are known to constantly push the boundaries of genre fiction and blur the lines of distinction between literary fiction and other genres of literature.
Given the creative ambiguity of contemporary literary fiction; the genre witnesses a dazzling lineup of highly acclaimed debuts and fresh progressive voices each year. From trailblazing memoirs to the cultural history of humanity—no other genre captures the exactness of our collective life experience more creatively than literary fiction.
The list of bestselling literary fiction is an exciting mix of very distinct literary techniques and contrasting voices. Precisely why, we at Books2Door bring you and a carefully curated collection of the best literary fiction books of all time whilst also helping you gain an acute understanding of what qualifies as modern & literary fiction.
Formula-bending, genre-defying, and experimental
Modern and Contemporary Literary Fiction or experimental fiction is possibly the literature’s most rebellious genre. It doesn’t follow any literary formulas, nor does it adhere to any rules. In that, literary fiction authors are free to build an unpredictable narrative. Anything can transpire; exciting or unnerving. In literary fiction, any established literary theme can be turned on its head. For instance, literary fiction authors have challenged the good-triumphs-over-evil theme; so common otherwise in genre fiction books.
George Orwell’s social satire Nineteen Eighty-Four is one example. A book best categorised as dystopian literature; (remember the recently trending hashtag #makeorwellfictionagain ?) Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four not only challenged the good vs evil theme but also blurred the lines of distinction between genre fiction and classic literary fiction.
Employees creative storytelling
Considering literary fiction doesn’t adhere to any rules of genre or sub-genre; every literary fiction author is free to be creative and create his own rules. This makes the storyline an adventure, that can take its readers by surprise.
Devoid of any rules, the literary fiction writer is free to break convention and employ his creativity. This practice has birthed some extraordinary literary works. For example, Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife where Niffenegger’s uses dual narrators from the first person point of view, in the present tense.
Thought-provoking and introspective
Like we said earlier, no other genre captures the exactness of the human condition and our collective life experience more creatively than literary fiction. Whilst most genres are designed to entertain the readers, literary fiction is meant to do more than that. Literary fiction seeks to make sense of the world. It is meant to be thought-provoking, and introspective and is meant to push the reader to think critically of the human condition.
Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, for instance, explores the mind of a depressed, anxious, and neurotic young woman. Whilst the book has a coming-of-age plot line; it is the inner dialogue of this character that truly makes it a memorable book. This strong character study is what makes literary fiction a character-focused and introspective genre.
Explores the human condition
Stories in literary fiction do not shy away from dealing with difficult subjects and the realities of the human condition with artistic honesty. Literary fiction, therefore, is not always designed to help the reader escape. It can make the reader uncomfortable and push them to think about issues.
Literary fiction however is not non-fiction; so it doesn’t just report the truth. Instead, it relies on creative techniques and artsy symbolism to convey a deeper meaning. Literary fiction relies on metaphors and creative storytelling to convey meaningful messages. As a result, the takeaway from these stories is more than just the story, the takeaway is the experience, the message, and at times the characters.
Literary fiction is character-driven
Whilst genre fiction is focused on the story, plotlines, and on being an engaging read; literary fiction is more stressed on the characters or on conveying a meaningful message or idea. At times, it is focused on both. The characters in literary fiction can have layers, the depth of a character's actions and psyche are explored to forward the plot. Literary fiction doesn’t just show a character’s story, it shows how their actions and circumstances change the character.
Literary fiction can be as absurd and ambiguous as life itself
Literary fiction is experimental in nature much like absurd art, which means it doesn’t have to have a happy ending or an ending at all. Art movements like absurdism, dadaism and surrealism, are all, artsy cousins of experimental prose.
Literary fiction gives writers the liberty to let a story end abruptly or for the entire plot to be absurd. Stories in this genre don’t necessarily have to resolve but they have to have meaning. The meaning however is left to the reader’s interpretation.
Literary fiction is good for the reader
Because literary fiction pushes boundaries, employs a unique perspective, searches for meaning, and is designed for intellectual and emotional stimulus--it is much like the art you see hanging in galleries and the movies that bring meaningful conversations alive. Just like artsy movies and art itself, the creative genius of literary fiction is largely open to criticism. Some of the best contemporary literary fiction books have won critical acclaim and awards but missed out on winning the masses.
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