Who are some well - known authors of popular literary fiction?

One of the most prominent is Patrick White. He was the first Australian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. His works are complex and often deal with themes of human nature and spirituality. Also, Helen Garner is quite famous. Her writing is often semi - autobiographical and she delves deep into the emotional lives of her characters, especially women, in an Australian setting.

Philip Pullman is known for his 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. His work delves deep into themes of religion, science, and free will while being set in a richly imagined world with daemons and other fantastical elements. And then there's George R. R. Martin, although his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is also part historical fantasy, it contains a great deal of the elements that make literary fantasy so engaging like magic, dragons and complex political intrigue.

J. G. Ballard is a significant author in this genre. His works often deal with strange and disturbing speculative concepts. For example, 'Crash' explores the relationship between technology, the human body, and sexuality in a very unique and somewhat controversial way. Octavia E. Butler is also a great figure. Her books, like 'Kindred', blend elements of time travel and historical and social commentary. She uses speculative elements to explore race, gender, and power relations in a way that is both engaging and thought - provoking.

There is also Alasdair Gray. His writing is highly regarded for its exploration of Scottish identity and culture. His works are often rich in detail and cover a wide range of themes from the political to the personal. James Kelman is another significant figure. His writing is known for its use of Glasgow dialect and for portraying the lives of ordinary Scots in a very real and often challenging way.

One of the most well - known is Jane Austen. Her works, such as 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Emma', are classic examples of serious literary fiction. Austen was brilliant at depicting the social norms and relationships of her time in a witty and engaging way. Another is F. Scott Fitzgerald. His 'The Great Gatsby' is a masterpiece that explores the Jazz Age and the hollowness of the pursuit of wealth and status. And then there's Leo Tolstoy. 'War and Peace' is an epic novel that delves into the nature of war, love, and family during the Napoleonic era.

J.R.R. Tolkien is very well - known. He created 'The Lord of the Rings' series which has had a huge impact on the fantasy genre. Another is C.S. Lewis, with his 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. And George R.R. Martin is also famous for his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, which has been adapted into the popular TV show 'Game of Thrones'.

One well - known author in current literary fiction is Kazuo Ishiguro. His works often explore themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time in a very profound way. Another is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She writes about African experiences, feminism, and cultural clashes in a powerful and engaging manner.

There's Italo Calvino. His books are known for their inventive and dream - like qualities. He plays with concepts and structures in a way that is characteristic of literary fabulist fiction. Haruki Murakami also has elements of fabulist fiction in his works. His stories often contain surreal elements like talking cats or disappearing wells, which add to the fabulist nature of his writing. And then there's Neil Gaiman. His novels and short stories are filled with fantastical creatures and otherworldly settings that are typical of this genre.

Edgar Allan Poe is a very well - known author in this genre. His works, such as 'The Fall of the House of Usher', are filled with dark and macabre elements. Another is Shirley Jackson, famous for 'The Haunting of Hill House'. It's a classic of dark literary fiction with its exploration of the psychological and the supernatural in a very dark context.

Kazuo Ishiguro is a well - known author in new literary fiction. His works often have a dreamy, introspective quality. For example, 'Never Let Me Go' is a thought - provoking novel that delves into themes of identity and mortality.