Famous British Authors - Ten Best-Loved

Famous British Authors - Ten Best-Loved

Which famous British authors made it to The Big Read? A survey conducted in 2003 by the BBC to reveal the UK's best-loved book? What novels are they famous for? And which of their books were in the Top 200 list?

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There are a few things to consider, though, if you want to enjoy reading the novels written by the best-loved, famous British authors. First, determine where your interests lie. You may be interested in contemporary novelists, or perhaps you are more intrigued by classic writers? Works of English literature originating prior to World War II is considered by most to be classical in nature, whereas 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 a contemporary.

Famous British Authors - Ten Best-Loved

Another consideration might be which genres interest you most. Loosely defined these fall into ten categories: action-adventure, crime, detective, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction, thriller or western. Depending on what you find entertaining and that which grabs your attention, this can be an important factor when contemplating reading novels by an author you are as yet unfamiliar with.

You also need to understand the universal themes associated with the writing of fictional work; they include Imagination, Identity, Conflict, Love, Humour, Belonging, Time, Faith and Place. Be aware that many novels revolve around one or more of these themes and that several themes can be the focus of just one book. One author should not be thought of as the quintessential romanticist, humourist, or even imaginative writer as each author often considers a combination of themes and complex ideas when creating a novel so consider exploring these concepts before deciding to 'pigeon-hole' 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 indubitably Lord of the Rings by this fantasy writer. Tolkien's The Hobbit also made the Top 100. Other works of Tolkien include The Silmarillion.
Terry Pratchett - Britain's comic fantasy author had fourteen of his titles in that list: Mort, Good Omens, Guards! Guards! Night Watch, The Colour of Magic, Small Gods, Reaper Man, Wyrd Sisters, Hogfather, Men At Arms, Thief of Time, The Fifth Elephant, The Truth and Witches Abroad.
Joanne K. Rowling - A fantasy writer of Harry Potter fame was another novelist with four titles making the grade: 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 ignored, a writer of children's books; 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 The Suitcase Kid. Wilson's novels are typically realistic stories about modern British children facing problems in their daily lives. In 2005 this writer was announced as the Children's Laureate.
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 Grey missed the boat! For a family plagued with illness 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. Amongst other works he is remembered also for two of his other major contributions to literature: The Life and Adventures of Nicolas Nickleby and The Old Curiosity Shop. Besides Master Twist the likes of such characters as Ebenezer Scrooge, Fagin, Mrs. Gamp, Charles Darnay, Micawber, Abel Magwitch, Pecksniff, Miss Havisham and Wackford Squeers will doubtless live on forever through his books.
Lewis Carroll - Carroll's Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, made it to the Top 100, inspired by a young girl named Alice Liddell, is among the books recommended. Other works from Carroll include Through The Looking-Glass and Jabberwocky.
Robert Louis Stevenson - With the exception of this Scotsman (and South African born J.R.R. Tolkien), all other novelists mentioned here were English. Stevenson's Treasure Island was naturally considered one the best-loved 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 significant romantic fiction novels written by Austen include Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma.

The writers spoken of here are only a few of the best-loved famous British authors but there are many more besides these.

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