Well, there's Cornell Woolrich. He wrote many crime noir stories that were full of suspense and psychological twists. His works like 'Black Alibi' were ahead of their time in terms of the noir elements. Also, Chester Himes, with his Harlem - based crime noir stories like 'Cotton Comes to Harlem', brought a different perspective to the genre, showing the African - American experience within the noir framework.
Dashiell Hammett is very influential. His books like 'The Thin Man' series and 'Red Harvest' set the standard for the tough detective and the complex crime stories in noir fiction. Raymond Chandler is also a big name. His Philip Marlowe character became an iconic figure in crime noir, with books like 'Farewell, My Lovely' being very popular.
One well - known author is Manuel Ramos. His works often blend Chicano culture and crime noir elements effectively.
Some of the best authors in crime noir fiction are Ross Macdonald. His Lew Archer series has complex characters and engaging plots. Jim Thompson is also a great one. His books like 'The Killer Inside Me' are disturbing yet brilliant. And Chester Himes with his Harlem - based crime noir novels is also highly regarded.
One characteristic is the vivid portrayal of the latino setting. Whether it's the bustling streets of a big city like Mexico City or the tropical landscapes of the Caribbean islands, it sets a unique backdrop. The characters are often complex, with a mix of good and bad, influenced by their cultural heritage. Another aspect is the exploration of social issues like poverty, corruption, and drug - related problems which are prevalent in latino regions. And there's usually a sense of fatalism in the stories, as if the characters are trapped by their circumstances.
Raymond Chandler is a very well - known author in noir crime fiction. His works like 'The Big Sleep' are full of the noir elements we love. James M. Cain is also famous, especially for 'Double Indemnity' and 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'. And Dashiell Hammett, with 'The Maltese Falcon', is a pioneer in this genre.
Raymond Chandler is a very famous one. His works like 'The Big Sleep' are classic hardboiled noir crime fiction.
Jules Verne should be mentioned. He was one of the early science - fiction writers with works like 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' that inspired generations. Philip K. Dick is another highly influential author. His works, like 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' which was later adapted into 'Blade Runner', are known for their exploration of what it means to be human in a technological world. And then there's Ray Bradbury, whose 'Fahrenheit 451' is a powerful exploration of a future society.
One of the most influential is Tolkien for sure. His detailed world - building in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' set a standard for how to create a believable and immersive fantasy world. Ursula K. Le Guin is also very important. Her works, like the 'Earthsea' series, explored complex themes such as gender and power in a fantasy setting. Then there's Michael Moorcock, whose works, especially the 'Elric' series, introduced a different style of anti - hero in fantasy and influenced many writers who came after him.
Jules Verne is one of the most influential. His works inspired generations with their visions of future technology. Then there's Isaac Asimov. His 'Three Laws of Robotics' have been extremely influential in how we think about artificial intelligence. H.G. Wells is also very important. His ideas about time travel and alien invasions were quite novel for his time.
Isaac Asimov is definitely one of the most influential. His 'Foundation' series is a cornerstone of the genre. Frank Herbert with 'Dune' also had a huge impact. His detailed world - building and complex characters set a high standard. Arthur C. Clarke is another big name. His works like '2001: A Space Odyssey' influenced many future science - fiction creators.
James Joyce is one of the most influential. His 'Ulysses' revolutionized the form of the novel. Virginia Woolf is also highly influential with her unique exploration of consciousness in works like 'Mrs. Dalloway'. And Ernest Hemingway, known for his spare and direct writing style in novels such as 'The Sun Also Rises' had a great impact.