Below is a curated list of 20 of the best literary fiction books to check out, split evenly between 10 enduring classics and 10 modern works.
The classics are time-tested pillars of literature, and the modern picks (from roughly the last 30–40 years) show that literary fiction is alive and well today.
I’ve included both English-language originals and famous translations from other languages to give a global perspective. For each book, you’ll find the author, year of publication, country of origin, a one-line summary, and a note on accessibility (whether it’s an easy read or more on the dense/experimental side).
But first, let’s start with the basics.
What is literary fiction?
In simple terms, literary fiction refers to novels that prioritize style, depth of character, and thematic complexity over fast-moving plots or strict genre tropes. These are the books often described as “character-driven” or “realistic” in tone, focusing on the inner lives of characters and big-picture themes.
What is the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction?
By contrast, genre fiction (like mystery, romance, sci-fi, etc.) tends to follow specific formulas or conventions. Think of a murder mystery revealing clues, or a romance promising a happy ending. Genre stories usually aim to fulfill certain reader expectations (scares in horror, excitement in thrillers, warm fuzzies in romance) and wrap up neatly, whereas literary tales are freer to experiment with structure and may leave some questions unresolved.
Tone and style often set literary fiction apart. A literary novel might have a more introspective or serious tone, carefully crafted prose, and an emphasis on “deeper” themes (morality, society, the human condition) rather than just page-turning action.
Meanwhile, genre fiction tends to use a straightforward style to serve the story; for example, a thriller keeps sentences punchy to build suspense, a romance might indulge in emotional, hopeful language, etc.
But these distinctions aren’t absolute. In fact, many writers blur the lines. A literary novel can have a gripping plot, and a sci-fi or mystery novel can have rich characters and themes.
For instance, George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian (genre) story and a literary classic, and Toni Morrison’s Beloved involves ghosts yet is firmly literary.
The key difference is categorization: literary fiction doesn’t slot into a single genre box, whereas genre fiction usually wears its label (mystery, fantasy, etc.) proudly.
So, does the distinction matter? Practically speaking, it’s a useful way for publishers and bookstores to sort books (the whole idea of “literary vs. genre” only became a thing in the 20th century for marketing purposes).
It also helps readers know what to expect. If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted escape or a clear-cut resolution, you might skip the literary fiction shelf and grab a genre novel instead. The genre label is essentially a promise to the reader of a certain kind of emotional experience. A romance promises you’ll swoon and see a happy resolution; a literary novel might promise you thoughtful prose and insight, but not necessarily a tidy ending.
However, the line isn’t as strict as it sounds. Many great books are a bit of both. The story and the writing are what ultimately matter. If a novel engrosses you or moves you, the label “literary” or “genre” matters a lot less. In this guide, we’re focusing on literary fiction favorites, but don’t be surprised if a few have elements of mystery, fantasy, or historical drama too. Good fiction is good fiction!
Now, on to the books.
10 Classic Literary Fiction Books to Read
These classic novels have earned their place in literary history. Ranging from 19th-century masterpieces to mid-20th-century landmarks, they offer rich storytelling and insights into human nature. Don’t be intimidated by the “classic” label, as many of these are very engaging once you get into them.
Here are ten must-read classics of literary fiction:
1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen (1813, UK)
A witty romantic comedy of manners following Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, whose “turbulent relationship” must overcome the titular pride and prejudice before they can fall in love.
Accessibility: Moderate.
Language is early 19th-century but famously sharp and witty; overall a light, enjoyable read with social satire (fairly easy to read once you get used to the period diction).
2. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë (1847, UK)
The coming-of-age tale of Jane Eyre, an orphaned governess, and her passionate, stormy relationship with the brooding Mr. Rochester. Combines Gothic mystery with a strong proto-feminist voice as Jane strives for independence and love on her own terms.
Accessibility: Moderate.
Victorian prose that’s descriptive but direct (moderately accessible, a bit old-fashioned, but Jane’s first-person narration draws you in).
3. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925, USA)
A Jazz Age tragedy set in 1920s New York. It tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his obsessive pursuit of former love Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by Nick Carraway, this slim novel paints a vivid picture of glamour and disillusionment in the Roaring Twenties.
Accessibility: Quite easy to read.
It’s short, elegantly written, and plot-driven, though loaded with symbolism and subtext (which you can enjoy decoding or just appreciate at face value).
4. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee (1960, USA)
A warm and humorous yet powerful story set in the 1930s Deep South, seen through the eyes of young Scout Finch. The novel addresses serious issues of racial injustice and moral growth as Scout’s father Atticus defends a Black man falsely accused of a terrible crime.
Accessibility: Very high.
The prose is simple and clear (often taught in schools). Despite the serious themes, it’s narrated with a child’s frankness and even humor, making it an engaging, approachable read.
5. 1984 – George Orwell (1949, UK)
A dystopian classic about a totalitarian future society. Winston Smith, a timid everyman in Oceania, quietly rebels against a regime that surveils citizens nonstop and rewrites reality. Orwell wrote it in 1949 as a “warning against totalitarianism”. Big Brother, the Thought Police, and the struggle for truth make this a chilling, thought-provoking read.
Accessibility: Moderate.
The writing itself is straightforward and the story suspenseful, but the content is dark and the themes (propaganda, oppression) are heavy. Still, it’s a page-turner of a literary novel.
6. One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel García Márquez (1967, Colombia)
An epic magical-realist saga of the Buendía family, founders of the fictional village of Macondo. Spanning seven generations and “100 years of turbulent Latin American history”, this novel blends the fantastical and the mundane (from plagues of flowers to political massacres) all told in lush, dreamlike prose. Often cited as Márquez’s masterpiece and the quintessential example of magic realism.
Accessibility: Moderately challenging.
The narrative is nonlinear and teems with characters (many with similar names!), and it freely mixes reality with the surreal. The writing is gorgeous but can be dense. Best for when you’re in the mood to soak in a richly poetic story rather than rush through a plot.
7. Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy (1877, Russia)
A sweeping Russian classic often called one of the pinnacles of world literature. It’s famously about the doomed adulterous affair between the elegant Anna Karenina and dashing Count Vronsky in 19th-century Russia, set against a broader tapestry of Russian society. (Parallel to Anna’s tragic story, Tolstoy also follows Levin, a character searching for meaning in family and farming life.)
Accessibility: Moderate to hard.
Tolstoy’s style is realistic and not overly experimental, but the novel is long and dives deep into characters’ inner thoughts. Keeping track of Russian names and social nuances can require patience. That said, the love, jealousy, and social pressures depicted are very human and relatable. If you don’t mind a long read, it’s immersive and rewarding.
8. Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866, Russia)
A psychological thriller and moral drama set in St. Petersburg. It follows Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student who convinces himself he has the right to commit murder – and kills a cruel pawnbroker – only to be consumed by guilt and paranoia. The novel brilliantly explores his mental anguish and the possibility of redemption (Dostoevsky believed salvation is only possible through atonement).
Accessibility: Moderate.
The plot has the drive of a crime novel (it’s quite gripping to see if and how he gets caught), but much of the tension is internal, in long philosophical conversations and feverish monologues. The prose (in translation) is generally accessible, but expect intense psychological insight rather than light entertainment.
9. The Stranger – Albert Camus (1942, France/Algeria)
A short existential classic (translated from French; sometimes titled The Outsider). Meursault, a French Algerian man, is seemingly indifferent to everything – even his mother’s death. After he impulsively commits a senseless murder on a beach, society judges him not just for the crime but for his unsettling lack of emotion. Camus uses Meursault’s story to illustrate the philosophy of the absurd.
Accessibility: Easy to read, but philosophically profound.
The sentences are simple and the book is very short. The challenge lies in the subtlety. Meursault’s detached narration can feel odd, but that’s the point. Overall, it’s stylistically straightforward and a quick read, though it leaves you with big questions about conformity, meaning, and morality.
10. Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe (1958, Nigeria)
A landmark of African literature, this novel is set in pre-colonial Nigeria and then during the arrival of British colonial powers. It centers on Okonkwo, a proud and fearsome Igbo warrior in his village, and shows how traditional life is upheaved by colonialism and Christian missionaries. Achebe paints a nuanced picture of Igbo culture and the tragic loss of that way of life as “things fall apart.”
Accessibility: Fairly easy.
The writing is clear and unadorned, almost story-like in its simplicity. It’s short and divided into brief chapters. Culturally, it introduces Igbo terms and customs, but Achebe explains context well. Emotionally, it’s a powerful but straightforward narrative. (If anything, the hardest part is the heartbreak of seeing a culture disintegrate.)
10 Modern Literary Fiction Works (1985–Present)
Literary fiction is not just dusty classics! The last few decades have produced amazing novels that are approachable, relevant, and beautifully crafted.
Below are 10 of the best modern literary fiction books (roughly from the mid-1980s onward), including both English originals and notable works in translation.
These books tackle contemporary themes and diverse settings – from postcolonial Africa to dystopian America – with the same depth and artistry we expect from the classics. If you’re looking for something a bit more current, start here:
1. Beloved – Toni Morrison (1987, USA)
A haunting story about the legacy of slavery, inspired by a true tragedy. Sethe, an escaped slave in post-Civil War Ohio, is “haunted” (literally and figuratively) by the ghost of the infant daughter she killed to save the child from slavery. When a mysterious young woman called Beloved appears, Sethe must confront the pain of her past. Morrison’s writing is lyrical and unflinching, exploring trauma, motherhood, and memory.
Accessibility: Challenging.
The narrative jumps in time and perspective, and Morrison’s style is poetic and rich in symbolism. The subject matter is heavy. This is a novel to read slowly and reflect on. It’s not long, but it is dense and emotionally intense – often cited as a modern literary masterpiece, and it won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood (1985, Canada)
A chilling dystopia that imagines a near-future New England under a patriarchal theocracy. In the Republic of Gilead, fertile women are enslaved as “Handmaids” to bear children for the ruling elite. The story is told by Offred, a Handmaid serving a Commander and his wife, as she remembers the time before Gilead and navigates this oppressive society.
It’s a gripping tale of power, gender, and resistance (and has only become more famous due to the TV adaptation).
Accessibility: Fairly easy.
The writing is clear and direct (Offred’s first-person voice is relatable, with dry wit even in bleak moments). It’s a page-turner plot-wise, although it’s heavy in terms of theme. If you enjoy speculative or dystopian stories, this is both an “important” literary book and a suspenseful read.
3. The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro (1989, UK)
A beautifully restrained novel about an English butler, Stevens, reflecting on his life in the 1950s. Stevens takes a road trip to visit a former housekeeper, Miss Kenton, and along the way he reminisces about decades spent in loyal service at Darlington Hall, including memories of his employer’s Nazi sympathies before WWII, and the quieter story of his own repressed feelings for Miss Kenton. It’s a poignant exploration of duty, dignity, and missed opportunities. (If it sounds familiar, there’s also a famous film version with Anthony Hopkins.)
Accessibility: Moderate.
The prose is elegant and very polished, mirroring Stevens’s overly proper personality. The story unfolds slowly and it’s more introspection than action. However, it’s not difficult language; you just have to appreciate subtlety.
At around 250 pages, it’s a concise novel, and Ishiguro’s gentle, precise style makes it accessible for most readers (though it helps to enjoy character-driven narratives over plot).
4. Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami (1987, Japan)
A nostalgic coming-of-age story set in late-1960s Tokyo, told from the perspective of Toru Watanabe, a college student. Toru finds himself caught between two women: Naoko, his emotionally fragile first love (the girlfriend of his late best friend), and Midori, a lively, outgoing classmate who offers him a very different kind of relationship. The novel is a poignant tale of love, loss, and the pains of growing up, and it propelled Murakami to widespread fame. (The title comes from the Beatles song, which is symbolic in the book.)
Accessibility: Easy.
Unlike Murakami’s surreal works, this novel is realistic and straightforward, described as “a nostalgic story of loss and burgeoning sexuality”. The tone is melancholy but the language (in translation) is simple and engaging. It’s emotionally affecting but not confusing – a great entry point into Murakami’s writing.
5. My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferrante (2011, Italy)
The first of Ferrante’s acclaimed Neapolitan Novels, this book begins the lifelong story of two friends, Elena and Lila, growing up in a rough neighborhood of Naples in the 1950s. We follow the girls from their childhood antics through adolescence, observing how their paths diverge and intertwine amid the pressures of family, poverty, and a changing Italy. Ferrante vividly portrays a female friendship that’s equal parts supportive and competitive, loving and intense.
Accessibility: Moderate to easy.
The narrative is told by Elena in a candid, intimate voice. The setting (working-class Naples) is immersive, but the translation makes it very readable.
There are many characters (neighbors, family members) and social dynamics to keep track of, but at heart it’s an engrossing story about friendship. If you enjoy rich character development and social realism, you’ll find this story of a lifelong friendship very engaging.
6. The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini (2003, Afghanistan/USA)
A heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against the tumultuous backdrop of Afghanistan’s recent history. Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy Kabul businessman, forms a close bond with Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. An act of betrayal during their childhood (amid the upheaval of the late 1970s in Afghanistan) separates them.
The novel follows Amir’s journey – from Kabul to life as an immigrant in the U.S. and finally back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, as he seeks to atone for the wrongs of the past.
Accessibility: Very easy.
Hosseini is a natural storyteller; the prose is clear and the plot is gripping and emotional. The novel became a bestseller for good reason, it’s the kind of book you can’t put down. Expect some tears and a vivid crash course in Afghan history (the fall of the monarchy, Soviet invasion, refugee experience, Taliban regime) woven through a very human tale.
7. The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy (1997, India)
A lush, Booker Prize-winning novel set in Kerala, India, following fraternal twins Estha and Rahel and their family. The story moves back and forth in time around a traumatic event in 1969 that shatters their household – touching on forbidden love across caste lines and the social and political forces at play. Roy’s style is distinctive: playful yet profound, with “small things” (glances, gestures, bits of nature) magnified to reveal the big truths of love, caste, and loss.
Accessibility: Moderately difficult.
The writing is gorgeous but nonlinear. Roy often uses stream-of-consciousness and unconventional grammar/punctuation to mimic a child’s perspective or emotional intensity.
The narrative pieces together slowly like a puzzle. Many readers find it rewarding for the vivid imagery and emotional punch, but it’s a book to read when you can give it full attention (not a casual beach read). In short, it’s experimental in style but deeply heartfelt in content.
8. Half of a Yellow Sun – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006, Nigeria)
An engrossing novel set in 1960s Nigeria, during the Biafran War (the civil war in which the southeastern region sought independence as the nation of Biafra). Adichie tells the story through three characters: Ugwu, a poor village boy who becomes houseboy to a university professor; Olanna, the professor’s lover (an educated woman from a wealthy Igbo family); and Richard, an English writer romantically involved with Olanna’s enigmatic twin sister, Kainene.
Their lives are upended as war breaks out and the horror of conflict arrives at their doorstep. The novel explores how each person’s relationships and ideals are tested by the realities of war.
Accessibility: Moderate.
The style is clear and descriptive. Adichie is often compared to an African Tolstoy for her combination of personal stories and historical sweep. The novel shifts among multiple perspectives, but the chapters are fairly straightforward, chronologically moving through the early optimistic days of Biafra to the grim end of the war.
It’s emotionally heavy (depicting the starvation and violence of that war), yet completely gripping. A vivid history lesson wrapped in a personal drama, written in accessible prose.
9. The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2001, Spain).
A captivating literary mystery set in Barcelona just after World War II. Young Daniel, the son of a bookseller, discovers a novel called The Shadow of the Wind by an obscure author (Julián Carax) in the “Cemetery of Forgotten Books” – a secret library of rare titles.
After loving the book, Daniel tries to find other works by Carax and learns that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of Carax’s books. Daniel’s quest to unravel the enigma of Carax’s life and fate leads him through Barcelona’s gothic streets, uncovering secrets, tragedies, and a forbidden love story from the past that strangely mirrors his own life. It’s a book about loving books, filled with suspense and atmosphere.
Accessibility: Easy.
This novel became a worldwide bestseller because it’s a page-turner with broad appeal.
The storytelling is rich but not difficult; it mixes elements of mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Zafón’s style (in translation) is descriptive and cinematic, with a touch of the gothic. If you like a good mystery and evocative setting, you’ll breeze through this one – it’s often described as “a true page-turner… exciting to read”.
10. The Road – Cormac McCarthy (2006, USA)
A post-apocalyptic novel of bleak, brutal beauty. A father and his young son trek through the ashes of civilization, heading south on an abandoned highway, pushing their meager belongings in a cart. The world has been destroyed by an unspecified catastrophe; the sun is obscured, nothing grows, and bands of desperate (sometimes evil) survivors roam about.
The plot is simple (it’s about survival and the father’s fierce love for his boy) and the writing style is famously sparse, with McCarthy using minimal punctuation and short, haunting dialogues. Despite the darkness, the novel finds a kind of hope in the bond between father and son and their determination to “carry the fire” of humanity.
Accessibility: Moderate.
On one hand, the prose is very simple and direct (McCarthy uses plain words and very short sentences, almost like scripture or a fable).
There are no chapters; it’s a continuous stream of scenes. This makes it a quick read structurally. However, the content is grim and emotionally intense – it can be stressful or upsetting to read at times.
Also, McCarthy’s stripped-back style (no quotation marks for dialogue, etc.) can feel unusual if you haven’t encountered it before. Still, most readers find themselves glued to the story. It won the Pulitzer Prize, and many find it surprisingly moving and unforgettable, even with the harrowing subject matter.
These twenty books are by no means the only great literary fiction reads out there, but they’re a fantastic starting point. Whether you’re in the mood for a sweeping classic or a contemporary tale, each novel above offers something special, be it gorgeous writing, memorable characters, or thought-provoking themes.
“Literary” fiction might sometimes have a reputation for being difficult or highbrow, but as you can see, many of these works are as engaging and emotionally resonant as any popular bestseller. Give one that intrigues you a try!
D.P. Martinez is a contemporary fantasy author specialising in urban fantasy and magical realism. He holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Greenwich, where he focused on Literary London. His research explored metaphorical representations of London in urban fantasy. He has written hundreds of articles and several books across both fiction and non-fiction.