One of the most famous is Leo Tolstoy from Russia. His works like 'Anna Karenina' and 'War and Peace' are world - renowned. Then there's Charles Dickens from England, known for 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'. Also, Victor Hugo from France, with 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre - Dame' being very popular.
Well, in Italian literature, Dante Alighieri is a great figure with 'The Divine Comedy'. From Germany, Goethe with 'Faust'. Scandinavian literature also has important authors. For example, Henrik Ibsen from Norway, known for his plays which had a great impact on European fiction as well. And of course, Thomas Mann from Germany with his complex and profound novels.
Agatha Christie from the UK is a household name. She created iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her stories are full of twists and turns, and she was a master of the whodunit genre. Her settings, whether it was a grand English manor or an exotic location, added to the allure of her crime stories.
Anton Chekhov, from Russia, is also well - known for his short stories. His stories are known for their psychological depth and ability to capture the essence of human nature. For example, 'The Lady with the Dog' is a great exploration of love and human relationships.
John le Carré is a very famous author of European spy novels. His works like 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' are highly regarded. Ian Fleming is also well - known for creating James Bond in novels such as 'Casino Royale'.
One cannot forget about Victor Hugo. Although he is known for his other works as well, 'The Hunchback of Notre - Dame' has elements of romance within it. Set in Paris, it shows the complex relationships between the characters against the backdrop of the cathedral. Also, Alexandre Dumas, with his works like 'The Count of Monte Cristo' which has a strong romantic sub - plot intertwined with themes of revenge and justice.
One of the well - known authors is H. P. Lovecraft. His works, while he was American, had a profound impact on European horror. In addition, Algernon Blackwood was a significant figure. His stories often delved into the supernatural and the unknown. And then there's Mary Shelley, who wrote 'Frankenstein', which is a fundamental work in the horror genre that influenced European horror writing as well. Her exploration of science and horror was quite revolutionary.
Charles Dickens is a very famous one. His works like 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Great Expectations' are well - known worldwide. Another is Jane Austen, known for her novels such as 'Pride and Prejudice' which explored love and marriage in the English gentry. Victor Hugo is also important, with 'Les Misérables' being a great example of his work.
Guy de Maupassant from France is very famous. His short stories are known for their sharp observations of human nature and unexpected endings. For example, 'The Necklace' is a well - known story that shows how pride can lead to unexpected consequences.
Jules Verne from France is a very well - known European science fiction author. His works like 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days' are considered classics. They were highly imaginative for their time and inspired many future science fiction writers. Another is Stanisław Lem from Poland. His books, such as 'Solaris', are known for their deep philosophical exploration within a science - fictional setting.
George Lucas is the mind behind 'Star Wars', which has not only books but also movies and a huge franchise. Orson Scott Card is the author of 'Ender's Game'. He created a very interesting and thought - provoking story about a child prodigy in a military - like setting. William Gibson wrote 'Neuromancer' and is credited with popularizing the cyberpunk genre.
J.D. Salinger was a famous author of 1950 fiction books. His work 'The Catcher in the Rye' is highly regarded. C.S. Lewis also wrote during this time, with 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' being a well - loved book. Ray Bradbury was another notable author, known for books like 'Fahrenheit 451' and 'The Martian Chronicles'.