Famous British Authors – Top Ten

What famous British authors made it to The Big Read? A 2003 BBC poll to reveal the UK’s most beloved book? What novels are they famous for? And which of your books were on the Top 200 list?

However, there are a few things to consider if you want to enjoy reading the novels written by the most beloved and famous British authors. First, determine what your interests are. Are you interested in contemporary novelists or perhaps more intrigued by classical writers? Works of English literature that originated before World War II are considered by most to be classical in nature, while novels written during or after that war could be called contemporary fiction. An example of a classic writer would be Chaucer and Ernest Hemingway is contemporary.

Another consideration could be which genres interest you the most. Loosely defined, these fall into ten categories: Action Adventure, Crime, Detective, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller, or Western. Depending on what you find entertaining and what catches your eye, this can be an important factor when contemplating reading novels by an author you are not yet familiar with.

You also need to understand the universal themes associated with writing works of fiction; They include Imagination, Identity, Conflict, Love, Humor, Belonging, Time, Faith, and Place. Keep in mind that many novels revolve around one or more of these themes and that multiple themes can be the focus of a single book. An author should not be considered the quintessential romantic, humorous, or even imaginative writer, as each author often considers a combination of complex themes and ideas when creating a novel, so consider exploring these concepts before deciding to “ pigeonhole ” to specific writers with a particular theme or genre.

Here are ten randomly selected authors from the books nominated in The Big Read.

• John Ronald Reuel Tolkien – The winner was undoubtedly The Lord of the Rings by this fantasy writer. Tolkien’s Hobbit also made the Top 100. Tolkien’s other works include The Silmarillion.
• Terry pratchett – The British comic fantasy author had fourteen of his titles on that list: Mort, Good Omens, Guards! Guards! Night Watch, The Color of Magic, Little Gods, Reaper Man, Wyrd Sisters, Pig Father, Men-at-Arms, Time Thief, The Fifth Elephant, The Truth, and Witches Abroad.
• Joanne K. Rowling – A fantasy writer of Harry Potter fame was another novelist with four titles that stood out: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban .
• Jacqueline wilson – Another novelist not to be overlooked, a children’s book writer; also with fourteen titles of distinction: The Story of Tracy Beaker, Double Act, Vicky Angel, Girls In Love, The Illustrated Mum, The Dare Game, Bad Girls, Lola Rose, Girls In Tears, Sleepovers, Secrets, Girls Out Late, Dustbin Baby and child suitcase. Wilson’s novels are typically realistic stories about modern British children who face problems in their daily lives. In 2005, this writer was announced as the Children’s Prize.
• Charlotte bront – Three of the five Bront sisters became romance writers. Charlotte’s Jane Eyre made the Top 21.
• Emily Bront – Emily’s Wuthering Heights also made the Top 21, but alas, Anne’s Agnes Gray missed the boat! For a family plagued with disease, these sisters were remarkably successful.
• Charles dickens – These seven Dickens masterpieces were given a ‘thumbs up!’ Great Expectations, David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House, The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. Among other works, he is also remembered for two of his other important contributions to literature: The Life and Adventures of Nicolas Nickleby and The Old Curiosity Shop. In addition to Master Twist, characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, Fagin, Mrs. Gamp, Charles Darnay, Micawber, Abel Magwitch, Pecksniff, Miss Havisham, and Wackford Squeers will no doubt live forever through his books.
• Lewis Carroll – Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland made the Top 100, inspired by a young woman named Alice Liddell, is among the recommended books. Carroll’s other works include Through The Looking-Glass and Jabberwocky.
• Robert Louis Stevenson – With the exception of this Scotsman (and South African-born JRR Tolkien), all the other novelists mentioned here were English. Stevenson’s Treasure Island was naturally considered one of the most beloved books written by a British author. His other famous books include Kidnapped, The Body Snatcher, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
• Jane Austen – Austen’s Pride and Prejudice made it to the Top 21. Other major fictional romance novels written by Austen include Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Emma.

The writers talked about here are just some of the most beloved famous British authors, but there are many more besides these.