10 must-see books by contemporary British writers

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

McEwan's Amsterdam, Fry's Tennis Balls of Heaven, Fielding's Diary of Bridget Jones and seven more fascinating books for true connoisseurs of British culture.

1. Ian McEwan, Amsterdam

McEwan masterfully combines a laconic style of storytelling with an unpredictable ending. At the center of his story are two friends, the editor of a popular newspaper and the composer of the Millennium Symphony. True, there was practically nothing left of their friendship, only hidden anger and resentment. It is worth reading to find out how the confrontation of old comrades ended.

2. Julian Barnes, "England, England"

In this selection, we have included the most English novel of the writer, in which he tries to explain what good old England is. Events unfold on the White Island attraction, where all sorts of stereotypes about the country are collected: monarchy, Robin Hood, The Beatles, beer … Indeed, why would tourists need modern England if there is a miniature copy that combines all the most interesting?

3. Antonia Bayette, Possess

A novel about the love of 19th century Victorian poets intertwined with the history of modern scholars. A book for the intellectual reader who will enjoy the rich language, classic plots and numerous allusions to cultural and historical phenomena.

4. Jonathan Coe, "What a Swindle!"

Coe wrote jazz music for a long time, which was reflected in his literary work. "What a swindle!" akin to improvisation, this is a bold and unexpected romance.

Michael, a middle-class writer, gets the opportunity to tell the story of the wealthy and highly influential Winshaw family. The problem is that these greedy relatives, who have taken possession of all spheres of public life, poison the lives of other people and do not cause sympathy.

5. David Mitchell, Dream # 9

If you've watched the Cloud Atlas, then know this incredibly tangled story was invented by David Mitchell. But today we recommend taking up reading another, no less interesting novel.

Dream # 9 is often compared to the best of Haruki Murakami. A young boy Eiji comes to Tokyo in search of his father, whom he has never met. For eight weeks in the metropolis, he managed to find love, fall into the clutches of the yakuza, make peace with his alcoholic mother, find friends … You have to figure out for yourself what happened in reality and what happened in a dream.

6. Stephen Fry, Heaven's Tennis Balls

"Tennis Balls of Heaven" is a modern version of the "Count of Monte Cristo", supplemented with new details and meanings. Although we know the plot, it is simply impossible to stop reading.

The protagonist is a student Ned Muddstone, whose life goes nowhere better. He is handsome, smart, rich, well-mannered, from a good family. But because of the stupid joke of his envious comrades, his whole life changes dramatically. Ned is locked up in a psychiatric hospital, where he lives with only one purpose - to get out in order to get revenge.

7. Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones's Diary

The novel about the life of 30-year-old Bridget Jones is popular all over the world. Thanks in part to the Hollywood adaptation starring Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth. But by and large because of the eccentric and so charming Bridget. She counts calories, tries to quit smoking and drink less, experiences setbacks in her personal life, but still looks to the future with optimism and believes in love.

There are books that you forgive for the simplicity of the plot, and the banality of scenes, and stupid coincidences simply because there is soulfulness in them. “Bridget Jones's Diary” is the very rare case.

8. JK Rowling, Harry Potter series

The story of the boy with the scar is a cultural phenomenon. The first book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was rejected by 12 publishers, and only a small Bloomsbury decided to publish it at its own risk. And it did not fail. "Harry Potter" was a resounding success, and Rowling herself - the love of readers around the world.

Against the background of magic and magic, we are talking about things familiar and important - friendship, honesty, courage, willingness to help and resist evil. Therefore, Rowling's fictional world captivates readers of all ages.

9. John Fowles, The Collector

The Collector is John Fowles' most terrifying yet gripping novel. The main character Frederick Clegg loves to collect butterflies, but at some point he decides to add a cute girl Miranda to his collection. We learn this story from the words of the kidnapper and from the diary of his victim.

10. Neil Gaiman, American Gods

Gaiman created a fictional world in which gods live from myths and legends of different peoples. They were brought to America by the first immigrants who came here for a better life. This is partly due to biographical events: the idea of the novel came from the Englishman Gaiman when he moved to the United States.

The plot revolves around a guy named Shadow Moon, who gets out of prison and instantly finds himself in the center of the conflict between the Old and New Gods.