30 of the Best Contemporary Fiction Books Everyone Should Read

Contemporary Fiction: 33 Best Modern Books of All Time

The 100 best books of the 21st century | Books | The Guardian

Following their college years, a tight-knit group of friends - Malcolm, JB, Jude, and Willem - find themselves navigating post-grad life in New York City. Malcolm is frustrated with his perceived lack of success, JB is confident in his artistic future, and Jude and Willem are just grateful for the chance to make their own way in the world. As time goes on, Jude, in particular, stands out among the group. Despite being cast as the “post-man,” someone beyond race, ethnicity, and perhaps even experience, Jude's narrative reveals a deeply troubled past that includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. To cope, he cuts himself, regularly visiting a doctor to have his wounds treated. His brilliance as a law student attracts mentors, including a professor named Harold.

Harold, taken aback by Jude's intellect and moral arguments, becomes a key figure in his life. Tragedy strikes when Harold's 6-year-old son dies, leading Harold and his wife Julia to make the unusual decision to adopt Jude, then a 30-year-old. The joy of the occasion is slightly marred by the absence of JB, who has upset the group by exploiting Jude's suffering for his art. Jude's past continues to haunt him as he grapples with health issues resulting from his childhood trauma. Eventually, he moves from working in the U.S. Attorney’s office to a wealthy private firm, but struggles to enjoy the financial benefits. His relationship with his friends becomes strained, especially when JB’s mocking of Jude’s disability lands him in the hospital due to drug use.

As the narrative progresses, Jude's life tumbles into further turmoil. He begins a relationship with Caleb Porter, a man who abuses him physically and emotionally. The abuses trigger memories from his past, especially of his time with Brother Luke, a man who abducted him as a child and forced him into prostitution. Overwhelmed by his traumatic past, Jude attempts suicide. Despite the outpouring of support from his friends, Jude's mental health continues to deteriorate, leading to self-harm and a strained romantic relationship with Willem. As his friends reach career heights, Jude grapples with the decision to amputate his legs. Tragedy strikes again when Willem, Malcolm, and others die in a car crash. Jude tries to cope by clinging onto memories of Willem and practicing kindness, but he struggles with restricting his food intake and eventually succeeds in a final suicide attempt.

A Little Life

Una Vida Pequeña

A Novel

Una Novela

On the first day of 1975, middle-aged divorcee, Archie Jones, attempts suicide inside his car but is saved by a local butcher. Feeling a newfound zest for life, Archie stumbles upon a party house where he meets Clara Bowden, a striking young black woman considerably younger than him. Only six weeks later, they get married. Clara, an immigrant from Jamaica, was brought to London by her Jehovah's Witness mother, Hortense. Clara rejects her mother's faith and Hortense, in turn, disowns her for marrying a white man. Archie's life post-marriage is mostly spent at an Arab-owned bar, O'Connell’s, with his old friend Samad Miah Iqbal. 

Archie and Samad's friendship dates back to the Second World War when they served together in the British Army and had a powerful encounter with a Nazi scientist, Dr. Perret. After the war, they lose touch for almost thirty years. In 1973, Samad and his young wife, Alsana, move from Bangladesh to London, into Archie’s neighborhood, rekindling the old friendship. The bond between the Jones and Iqbal families continues for 25 years. Alsana and Clara become friends, initially due to their husbands' companionship, and eventually due to their shared experiences as immigrants and wives to older men. They give birth at the same time; Alsana has twin boys, Magid and Millat, while Clara has a daughter, Irie.

In 1984, Samad, guilt-ridden over an affair, vows to send his twins back to Bangladesh for a traditional upbringing. But, he can only afford to send one; he sends off Magid without Alsana's consent, causing years of resentment. In London, Millat, known as a womanizer, and Irie grow up together. They both end up being tutored by Joyce and Marcus Chalfen; Marcus, a genetic engineer, is working on a project called FutureMouse which predicts cell production. This leads to unexpected outcomes. Magid, back in Bangladesh, grows into a pro-British, anti-religious, science enthusiast, while Millat becomes a religious extremist in London. In the turn of events, Magid returns to Britain and joins Marcus on the FutureMouse project. The families try to reconcile the now opposite twin brothers, involving Irie, who ends up pregnant but uncertain of the father, as both twins could be the potential father. 

The opposition against the FutureMouse project leads to a convergence of several groups, including KEVIN, FATE, traditional Muslims, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, at the Perret Institute on the day of the demonstration. A shocking revelation occurs when Samad Iqbal recognizes Dr. Perret, realizing Archie had lied about shooting him years ago. Archie, seeing Millat with a gun, intercedes and saves Dr. Perret's life yet again, causing chaos and the disappearance of the FutureMouse. The twins both get community service as the witnesses couldn't tell them apart. Years later, Archie and Samad play cards with their wives on New Year’s Eve at O’Connell’s, which has now opened its doors to women. Meanwhile, on a beach in Jamaica, Irie, Josh Chalfen, her grandmother Hortense, and Irie's little daughter celebrate the New Year.

White Teeth

Dientes Blancos

In a small Irish town, Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron are two high school students who share a love for reading, world affairs and social justice, and they are about to step into their college life. Marianne, who comes from a well-off family but suffers from emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her brother and indifferent mother, struggles with her self-esteem. On the other hand, Connell's mother, Lorraine, works as a cleaner for the Sheridan family, a job she took after dropping out of school due to her unexpected pregnancy with Connell. Although Connell is popular in school due to his athletic abilities and good looks, he is privately insecure, uncomfortable about his humble background, and inarticulate in conversations.

Despite their differences, Marianne and Connell find themselves drawn towards each other, fostered by their frequent encounters when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her cleaning job. Marianne, an introvert at school, confesses her feelings for Connell in private, and he reciprocates, though he struggles to express his feelings publicly due to his concern for his social standing. Their relationship takes a hit when Connell, under societal pressure, asks another girl to the senior dance, leading to Marianne's humiliation and the subsequent end of their school-time relationship.

Their paths cross again at a university in Dublin. Marianne has blossomed in the new environment and is dating Gareth, a staunch rightist, while Connell, despite his academic achievements, feels out of place due to his lower-class background. Their on-and-off relationship continues amid multiple breakups and new relationships. Marianne explores masochistic desires in her relationships, while Connell struggles with his sense of social inferiority. Their relationship is further strained by Marianne's abusive family situation and Connell's own personal struggles, including the impact of a friend's suicide. As they approach graduation, they realize the profound influence they've had on each other's lives, acknowledging the love and support they've shared despite the numerous ups and downs.

Normal People

Gente Normal

Little Fires Everywhere

Pequeños incendios por todas partes

A Nigerian woman residing in Princeton, New Jersey, Ifemelu, finds herself on the verge of returning to her home country. Having parted ways with her boyfriend, Blaine, and disengaged from her well-known blog on racial issues, she feels drawn back to her origins and her first love, Obinze. Now affluent and settled in Lagos with a wife and daughter, Obinze's life is disrupted upon hearing from Ifemelu. Despite his beautiful and loving wife, Kosi, Obinze acknowledges the emotional bond he shared with Ifemelu was far deeper. The story then transports us to the past where Ifemelu and Obinze's love story began, their paths diverging as Ifemelu moved to America for her studies. Struggling to find employment because of her student visa limitations, Ifemelu is driven to desperate measures which result in her isolating herself from Obinze out of guilt.

Economic circumstances improve for Ifemelu when she begins work as a babysitter for Kimberly, a well-off woman. She is introduced to Kimberly's cousin, Curt, who is instantly attracted to her. Their ensuing relationship facilitates Ifemelu's career progression and helps her secure a work permit. During this time, Ifemelu learns to love her natural African hair, a symbolic journey of self-acceptance. Meanwhile, Obinze's struggle as an illegal immigrant in London contrasts with Ifemelu's life. His attempt to establish a green card marriage ends in deportation. Back in America, Ifemelu's relationship with Curt falls apart and she begins to blog about her experiences as a Black woman in America. She soon crosses paths with Blaine, an African-American professor, and they begin a romantic relationship that is marked by both personal and societal issues.

Ifemelu's world is rocked when she learns her cousin, Dike, has attempted suicide, prompting her return to Nigeria. There, she reconnects with Obinze, their lingering emotions reigniting. As they navigate their complicated circumstances, they confront each other about their past and their expectations for the future. Their relationship rekindles, causing tension in Obinze's marriage. Considering Ifemelu's accusations of cowardice, Obinze chooses to leave his wife and confront the facades of a seemingly happy marriage. Despite the complexities, the story ends with Obinze standing at Ifemelu's door, determined to be a part of her life.

Americanah

In 1983, Richard Papen changes his education path from a self-contained college in Plano, California, to a picture-perfect Hampden College in Vermont. He faces initial resistance but eventually gets admitted into an exclusive ancient Greek program led by Professor Julian Morrow, with five other students - Henry, Bunny, Francis, and the twins, Charles and Camilla. Richard, who hails from a less wealthy background, hides his financial status from his affluent classmates. He feels estranged initially but manages to blend in after being invited to Francis's country house over the weekends.

During winter vacation, Richard, instead of going home, stays back in Hampden, working for a psychology professor for sustenance while living in a cold, free-warehouse. Henry eventually finds Richard in a state of exhaustion and takes him to a hospital. After this incident, Richard discovers that Henry, Francis, and the twins had plans to flee the country, their escape hindered by insufficient funds. The group had participated in a bacchanal at Francis's country house, where they accidentally killed a farmer in what they believed to be a Dionysiac frenzy, an idea inspired by Julian's class.

Bunny, despite being unaware of the murder, jokingly insinuates the group's involvement when he reads about the farmer's death. He later discovers the truth from Henry's journal while they were in Italy. Bunny's increasing demands and threats bring about his death when the group decides to push him off a cliff during his routine hike, with Richard unintentionally present at the scene. After Bunny's death, the group begins to fall apart, with Charles heavily drinking and Francis facing anxiety attacks. This crisis unveils hidden relationships and manipulations within the group leading to a tragic climax with Henry's suicide. The group eventually disbands, with Richard being the only one to graduate. Years later, Richard is still in love with Camilla and often reminisces about Henry.

The Secret History

La Historia Secreta

Set in an alternative late 20th-century England, a grim reality unfolds where human clones, known as "students," quietly exist to extend the lives of regular people through an established organ donation system. Our narrator, 31-year-old Kathy H., identifies herself as a “carer”—a clone designated to look after fellow clones during their organ donation process, which eventually leads to their demise or "completion." The narrative takes us through Kathy’s recollections of her early years spent at Hailsham, a secluded educational institution for clones, and her friendships with two peers, Ruth and Tommy. The trio's bond takes center stage, with Kathy recounting Ruth's enigmatic nature and Tommy's struggles with his volatile temper and lack of creativity, traits deemed essential by the institution's caretaker figures, known as the "guardians."

The narrative oscillates between different stages of Kathy's life, from her childhood to adulthood. It further delves into the trio's transition from Hailsham to a halfway house called the Cottages and their subsequent interactions with "veteran" students from other educational institutions. The narrative captures the nuances of their evolving relationships and encounters, such as a disappointing trip to Norfolk in search of Ruth's possible genetic original, as well as the emotional turmoil they face as they gradually confront the purpose of their existence. Amidst the unfolding events, Tommy and Kathy find solace in one another, indulging in creative expressions, which they believe might determine their eligibility for a rumored donation deferral for couples truly in love.

As Kathy transitions to the role of a carer, she encounters Ruth, dealing with a tough first donation. Following Ruth's passing after her second organ donation, Kathy takes over as Tommy's carer. They explore the possibility of a donation deferral by visiting Madame, an influential figure from their Hailsham days. The visit ends in despair, as they learn that no such deferrals exist, followed by the revelation that Hailsham was a failed experiment meant to prove the humanity of clones. A heartbroken Tommy completes after his fourth donation, leaving Kathy alone with her memories and the inevitability of her own completion.

14 Best Contemporary Books of All Time

A Little Life

White Teeth

A Novel

Normal People

A Novel

Little Fires Everywhere

Americanah

The Secret History

Never Let Me Go

Gilead

Gilead, Book 1

Visitation

The Heart's Invisible Furies

A Novel

Signs Preceding the End of the World

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

A Novel

A Visit from the Goon Squad

A Man Called Ove

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

14 Best Contemporary Books of All Time

A Little Life

White Teeth

A Novel

Normal People

A Novel

Little Fires Everywhere

Americanah

The Secret History

Never Let Me Go

Gilead

Gilead, Book 1

Visitation

The Heart's Invisible Furies

A Novel

Signs Preceding the End of the World

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

A Novel

A Visit from the Goon Squad

A Man Called Ove

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

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