Who do you think is the most memorable author of our era?

[Geamo]

(This is my first topic start, so go easy on me: Searched and couldn't find a topic like it)

In this thread, I would like to hear who people think the "Best" author of our "era" is.

In popular literature, great classics such as Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien),Dune (Frank Herbert), Lord of the Flies (William Golding) and The Princess Bride (William Goldman) are contemporary pieces read by most nowadays. What I would like to do, is try to sum up who, in recent years, has proved themselves to be able to write with distinction, as well as portraying the genre they so chose.

It can be any Fiction author, I first thought to try and put in a poll but figured that would constraining against all of the possible people.

 

[H.R.Shovenstuff]

Phillip Pullman

 

[bluerahjah]

James Patterson is a remarkable, if somewhat repetitive author. While his earlier works were those that kept one spellbound, his newest ones have all but had me figure out exactly "whodunit" after the first couple chapters.

Notable for : The Alex Cross novels, The Women's Murder Club, and IMO a great novel on it's own : The Jester.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

For me, Niel Gaiman.

 

[bamforth]

Personally I think Golding for writing a 250 odd page metaphor, but JRR Tolkien for writing the best story.

Though if you mean really recent as in last 20 years or so, then I think Sgt Dan Mills who wrote Sniper One, one of the best books i have ever read; Buy it then read it, I have spoken!

 

[curlycrouton]

J.R.R. Tolkien
Nick Hornby
Winston Groom
Jeremy Clarkson
Charlie Brooker
Sam Bourne
Terry Pratchett
Shakespeare

 

[TheGhostOfSin]

Douglas Adams

 

[corporate_gamer]

Dennis Lehane + Terry Prachett

 

[Uncompetative]

Douglas Adams

In time his work will be as revered as Swift or Shakespeare...

 

[videonerd250]

Shakespeare

Shakespeares dead, not exactly part of OUR "era" either.

My vote's for Chuck Palahniuk.

 

[curlycrouton]

Shakespeare

Shakespeares dead, not exactly part of OUR "era" either.

My vote's for Chuck Palahniuk.

Considering the world's millions of years old I would say he was.

 

[irrelevantnugget]

Peter Chimaera.

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/181593/

 

[Laughing Man]

Terry Pratchett

 

[Doug]

Terry Pratchett - especially Nation, which isn't a discworld novel.

 

[Snaggly Pete]

I don't read what literature critics consider "great" authors or "best" authors, but my favorite authors are probably the writing duo of...

Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child


PS - Douglas Adams is great too when I want to laugh my ass off.

 

[fedpayne]

J.R.R. Tolkien tick
Nick Hornby tick
Winston Groom tick
Jeremy Clarkson NO! You are WRONG.
Charlie Brooker tick
Sam Bourne can't say
Terry Pratchett tick
Shakespeare sigh

There is no such thing as best. That is why everyone is saying a list.

 

[curlycrouton]

J.R.R. Tolkien tick
Nick Hornby tick
Winston Groom tick
Jeremy Clarkson NO! You are WRONG.
Charlie Brooker tick
Sam Bourne can't say
Terry Pratchett tick
Shakespeare sigh

There is no such thing as best. That is why everyone is saying a list.

What's wrong with Jeremy Clarkson? Bloody hilarious, that man is. Ok, so I don't agree with many of his opinions, bit that doesn't really affect how funny he is.

 

[Rhodite]

J.R.R. Tolkien

If i had to choose 1 it would be Mister Tolkien, there are so many major contenders people have already mentioned but this guy is "THE DADDY"

 

[Burld]

Shakespeare

Shakespeares dead, not exactly part of OUR "era" either.

My vote's for Chuck Palahniuk.

Considering the world's millions of years old I would say he was.

Do you know what an era is?
I don't think there can be a 'best author', since each writer resonates better with certain people; there are subjects that some people are interested in that others aren't for example, but my favourite would be Raymond Carver.