10 Complex And Moving Works Of Contemporary Literature
If you're looking for a well-written, thought-provoking book, you've come to the right place. The poignant works listed here feature fascinating characters as they overcome family tragedy, struggle with marital issues, deal with the consequences of dishonesty, and more. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
10 Complex And Moving Works Of Contemporary Literature
Literary Charities
If you want to spread your love of literature with those in need, then you should consider looking into these non-profit organizations that help kids and teens get access to books and high-quality education.
What is Literature For?
In Depth
You don't have to dig up a time-worn classic in order to find a great piece of literary fiction. There are many talented modern authors who use their work to delve into poignant themes, encouraging their readers to see the world from a new perspective. In no particular order, here are ten thought-provoking books full of meaningful stories and complex characters.
In the #1 spot is "The Wednesday Letters" by Jason F. Wright. Every Wednesday, for the duration of their marriage, Jack wrote a letter to his wife, Laurel. After nearly four decades together, they pass away in each other's arms. When their children return home to settle the estate, they find thousands of pages detailing every week and each special moment of Jack and Laurel's life together. While a welcome invitation to revisit the past, the letters also reveal family secrets. The siblings learn things about their parents that they must try to forgive in order to heal from their recent loss.
At #2 is "The River Witch" by Kimberly Brock. After multiple tragedies in her life, including a miscarriage and the death of her grandmother, Roslyn Byrne moves to a small island in Georgia for a temporary escape. But the seclusion she sought is not rejuvenating her as she had hoped. She seeks connection with others, and finds it in her landlord's ten-year-old daughter, Damascus. Unlike anyone Roslyn has ever met, the little girl is wild, curious, and brave. They quickly form a bond, each dependent upon the other for companionship through the struggles they will face.
Unlike anyone Roslyn has ever met, the little girl is wild, curious, and brave.
Next, at #3, is Peter Pezzelli's "The Glassblower's Apprentice." Fabio, a skilled Italian dancer, has plans to find fame in America. But on the eve of an important dance contest, he suffers a career-ending injury. Devastated and hopeless, he secludes himself, prompting his concerned mother to arrange a trip to America. There, Fabio stays with his uncle, Rick, who owns a glassmaking business and has agreed to teach him the trade. Hoping a new passion will erase the memory of what he's lost, he ardently practices this new skill. This, along with his relationship with Rick, restores his zest for life.
#4 is "The Silver Mist" by Martin Treanor. Eve feels that having Down's syndrome makes her odd, but her father insists that being unique is a gift. When bombings begin in Belfast, she is confused and afraid by what is happening around her. With her father gone, she feels more alone than ever, until she meets Esther. Acting as a guide for Eve, Esther leads them out of Belfast and away from the explosions. Even while escaping the city and coping with her father's death, Eve maintains her positive outlook and loving nature.
In the #5 spot is "Fire Sermon" by Jamie Quatro. Maggie feels torn between duty and passion. She is devoted to Thomas, her husband of twenty years, but her feelings for another man are intensifying. Her relationship with James started out as professional and platonic, but their passions have grown and Maggie finds herself in the throes of infidelity. Despite being unhappy with the state of her marriage, she feels guilty about her affair. She must decide if her happiness and newfound desires outweigh her sense of loyalty. Does she stay with the man to whom she no longer feels connected, or abandon the life she's built for someone new?
Maggie feels torn between duty and passion.
#6 on the list is "Edgar and Lucy" by Victor Lodato. Reeling from the death of her husband, Lucy struggles to connect with their eight-year-old son, Edgar. She separates herself from the world, leaving Edgar to be raised by his grandmother. He is bullied for his albinism and, having no friends of his own, spends most of his time with elderly women. His loneliness has devastating consequences when he befriends a man with sinister intentions. The man kidnaps Edgar, and this tragedy causes Lucy to realize the loss of her husband has not dulled her love for her son.
Next, at #7, is "The Crooked Heart of Mercy" by Billie Livingston. Maggie and Ben are struggling to cope with the death of their son. Ben is institutionalized due to his extreme grief, and Maggie fights to help him and heal her own aching heart. Her brother, a disgraced priest with alcohol and legal issues, realizes his salvation may lie in helping his ailing sister and her husband. Maggie agrees to let her brother stay with her while he gets his own life in order, not realizing that his plan for redemption involves her marriage.
#8 is "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski. Born mute, Edgar uses sign language to communicate with his family and to train their highly coveted breed of dogs. When an estranged uncle returns to the farm, tensions run high and Edgar's father dies under mysterious circumstances. Convinced his uncle is to blame, Edgar tries to prove his theory, but fails. Devastated, he runs away into the woods with some of the family's dogs. The details of his father's death continue to haunt him, and he returns to uncover the truth, only to be faced with danger he didn't anticipate. Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, this novel is a modern twist on a well-known classic.
When an estranged uncle returns to the farm, tensions run high and Edgar's father dies under mysterious circumstances.
Coming in at #9 is "A Virtual Love" by Andrew Blackman. An IT specialist by day, Jeff Brennan spends all of his free time on the internet. Behind the screen of his computer, he can pretend to be anyone he wishes and often takes on different personas. But when he meets Marie at an event, she mistakes him for a famous blogger who shares his name and Jeff doesn't correct her. He carries this lie through their budding relationship, allowing it to continue until they move in together. But when Marie meets the real blogger, can the relationship they've built withstand the truth?
In the #10 spot is Laura Elizabeth Woollett's "Beautiful Revolutionary." Feeling hopeless in the midst of the political and social turmoil of the 1970s, Evelyn is looking for a change. She meets Reverend Jim Jones, and, with his magnetism and promise of utopia, he convinces her to join his cult, the Peoples Temple. She eventually becomes his mistress, and remains loyal to the cult until the fateful day that will shock the world. Based on the true events of Jonestown, this story proves that a sense of hope and belongingness is powerful enough to entrance anyone.
