The Greatest British "Contemporary, Fiction" Books Since 2010

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 288 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Contemporary

Contemporary books are a genre that focuses on stories set in the present day, often exploring current social, cultural, and political issues. These books are typically written in a modern style and often feature relatable characters dealing with real-life situations. Contemporary books can cover a wide range of topics, from romance and family drama to coming-of-age stories and thrillers. The genre is constantly evolving to reflect the changing world we live in, making it a popular choice for readers who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and issues.

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  1. 1. Outline by Rachel Cusk

    "Outline" is a novel that follows the story of a woman who travels to Athens to teach a writing seminar and engages in a series of conversations with various people she encounters. These include fellow authors, students, and locals, each of whom share intimate details of their lives, allowing the protagonist to reflect on her own experiences and emotions. The book explores themes of identity, storytelling, and the complexities of human relationships.

  2. 2. NW: A Novel by Zadie Smith

    This novel follows the lives of four Londoners - Leah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathan - as they navigate adulthood in the diverse, vibrant, and sometimes volatile neighborhood where they grew up. The narrative explores themes of identity, class, friendship, and the complex nature of urban life, intertwining the characters' stories in a way that reflects the interconnectedness and fragmentation of city living.

  3. 3. The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

    This novel revolves around a middle-aged man, Tony Webster, who is forced to reevaluate his understanding of his past when he unexpectedly receives a lawyer's letter that drags him back into his complex history with his university friends, Adrian and Veronica. The book explores themes of memory, history, and time, showing how our understanding of the past can be distorted by our own perceptions and emotions. As Tony delves into his past, he realizes that his memories may not be as accurate as he once believed, leading to a surprising revelation.

  4. 4. There But For The by Ali Smith

    There But For The is a novel that explores the interconnectedness of people's lives through the story of a man who locks himself in a room of a house he was invited to for dinner, and refuses to come out. The man's actions cause a media frenzy and bring together four individuals who have links to him, each revealing their own stories and perspectives. The book is a commentary on contemporary life, exploring themes of identity, memory, time, and the nature of connection and disconnection in society.

  5. 5. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

    The novel is a vibrant portrayal of the lives of twelve different characters, primarily black British women, spanning over a century. Each character has their own unique story, tackling issues such as feminism, politics, sexuality, and identity. The narrative is a blend of poetry and prose, exploring the interconnected lives of these women and their personal struggles and triumphs. It is a powerful exploration of race, gender, and the changing face of Britain.

  6. 6. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

    "Home Fire" is a contemporary reimagining of Sophocles' Antigone set against the backdrop of modern-day London and Syria. The novel explores the lives of five characters caught in a complex web of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The story revolves around two British-Pakistani families, each struggling with their own dilemmas related to identity, radicalism, and loyalty. One family is headed by a powerful politician who disowns his jihadist son, while the other consists of three orphaned siblings whose lives are turned upside down when their brother is accused of joining ISIS. The novel explores the consequences of their actions, questioning the extent to which one can go for love and loyalty.

  7. 7. Autumn by Ali Smith

    "Autumn" is a post-Brexit novel revolving around the deep and complex friendship between an old man, Daniel, and a young woman, Elisabeth. Set in the United Kingdom, the story unfolds as Daniel lies in a care home slipping in and out of consciousness, and Elisabeth visits him, reading to him and reflecting on their shared past. The narrative weaves between the past and present, exploring themes of time, art, love, and political upheaval. It is a meditation on a world growing ever more bordered and exclusive, on what richness and worth are, on what harvest means.

  8. 8. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

    This novel weaves together the lives of diverse characters through a narrative that spans decades, centering on a teenage runaway with psychic abilities. As she becomes embroiled in a covert war between immortal factions, the story explores themes of mortality, power, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The intricate plot moves through different times and places, revealing a hidden world of mysticism and a looming apocalyptic crisis, all while examining the impact of our actions on the future of the planet.

  9. 9. The Finkler Question: A Novel by Howard Jacobson

    The novel explores themes of identity, loss, and love through the lens of three friends - two Jewish and one who wishes he was. It delves into the psyche of the characters as they grapple with anti-Semitism, self-hatred, and their own personal tragedies. The protagonist, a man who starts to believe he is Jewish after a violent mugging, navigates his new identity with humor and introspection, leading to a poignant exploration of what it means to belong.

  10. 10. Transit by Rachel Cusk

    "Transit" follows the story of a writer and her two young sons who move to London after a painful divorce. As she begins to renovate a dilapidated apartment, she encounters a series of individuals whose interactions reflect themes of identity, displacement, and transformation. Through these encounters, the protagonist navigates the complexities of rebuilding her life and identity in a new place, exploring the deep interconnections between personal upheaval and the process of self-reconstruction. The novel is a contemplative exploration of change and the human condition, set against the backdrop of urban life.

  11. 11. Capital by John Lanchester

    This book provides an insightful commentary on the financial crisis of 2008, focusing on the residents of a single street in London. It explores the lives of various characters, including a banker and his shopaholic wife, a Senegalese footballer, a Polish builder, and an 82-year-old woman who has lived in her house since birth. The narrative delves into their intertwined lives, their dreams, and their fears, providing a detailed snapshot of a society in flux due to the financial turmoil.

  12. 12. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

    This novel is a bold and lyrical coming-of-age story that follows the life of a mixed-race gay teenager as he grapples with his identity and finds his voice through the art of drag performance. Told in verse, the narrative captures the protagonist's journey from a young boy struggling with the complexities of race, masculinity, and sexuality to a confident performer who embraces his uniqueness. The protagonist's transformation into the Black Flamingo becomes a powerful metaphor for self-discovery and self-acceptance, offering an inspiring message about the importance of being true to oneself.

  13. 13. Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor

    In a small English village, the disappearance of a teenage girl during a family holiday casts a shadow over the community. As the search for her unfolds, the novel delves into the lives of the villagers over the course of thirteen years, revealing their personal struggles, changes, and the rhythms of the natural world around them. The narrative weaves through the mundane and the significant, capturing the ebb and flow of human experience against the backdrop of the enduring countryside, while the mystery of the missing girl lingers, touching everyone in different ways.

  14. 14. Winter by Ali Smith

    "Winter" is a contemporary novel that weaves together themes of family, politics, and history. Set against the backdrop of a cold, post-Brexit Britain, the narrative unfolds over a Christmas gathering at a crumbling house in Cornwall. The story centers around Sophia, a retired businesswoman, her estranged sister Iris, who is a lifelong activist, Sophia's son Arthur, and Lux, a mysterious guest who challenges the family's preconceptions and brings them together. Through a blend of reality and magical realism, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships, the nature of time, and the power of storytelling, all while offering a commentary on the state of modern society.

  15. 15. Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi

    In "Boy, Snow, Bird," a young woman named Boy Novak escapes her abusive father in New York City to settle in a small town in Massachusetts, where she marries a widower and becomes stepmother to his daughter, Snow. After giving birth to her own daughter, Bird, who is dark-skinned, it is revealed that her husband and stepdaughter are light-skinned African Americans passing as white. The book explores themes of identity, beauty, and the damaging effects of racism as Boy grapples with her feelings towards Snow and Bird, and the societal implications of their different skin tones.

  16. 16. Even The Dogs by Jon McGregor

    The novel delves into the lives of a group of society's marginalized individuals, bound together by their struggles with addiction and poverty. Through a fragmented narrative that weaves together various perspectives, the story unfolds around the death of a homeless man during a cold winter in a derelict apartment. As the authorities investigate the circumstances of his death, the interconnected tales of his companions—each grappling with their own demons and histories of loss, neglect, and trauma—come to light, painting a stark and haunting portrait of life on the fringes of society. The book is a poignant exploration of the human condition and the thin lines between visibility and invisibility in the urban landscape.

  17. 17. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

    This novel unfolds the heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship that blossoms through the shared love of reading. When a lonely teenager discovers a mysterious list of novels at the library, it leads her to form an unexpected bond with a grieving widower. As they embark on a literary journey together, the books on the list help them confront their personal losses and heal. Through their evolving relationship, the story celebrates the transformative power of literature and the connections it fosters, showing how stories can offer solace, understanding, and a sense of community in times of need.

  18. 18. Spring by Ali Smith

    "Spring" is the third novel in a seasonal quartet that interweaves the personal with the political, capturing the contemporary zeitgeist through the lives of its characters. The story unfolds with the unlikely friendship between Richard, a grieving film director, and Brittany, a young, disillusioned detention center worker. Their paths cross with that of a mysterious and magnetic young girl named Florence, who possesses an extraordinary ability to change the world around her. Set against the backdrop of a divided and environmentally challenged Britain, the narrative explores themes of renewal, connection, and the transformative power of nature and human kindness in the face of despair and isolation.

  19. 19. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

    The book follows the life of an eccentric and socially awkward woman in her early thirties, whose regimented and solitary existence is disrupted when she develops an unlikely friendship with a bumbling IT guy from her office. After they save an elderly man who has collapsed on the street, the trio forms a bond that ultimately leads her to confront her troubled past. As she grapples with her mother's cruelty and the secrets that have haunted her for years, she learns that opening up to others can be the key to healing and that she is capable of finding love and companionship. Through this journey of self-discovery, she realizes that she can break free from her previously lonely and routine life, challenging the notion that she is completely fine as she is.

  20. 20. Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

    This novel is a poignant exploration of love and violence set against the backdrop of Glasgow's sectarian divides. It follows the life of Mungo, a young man growing up in a harsh environment where masculinity is rigidly defined and his emerging sexuality is at odds with the expectations of his community. As Mungo navigates the complexities of his identity and his relationship with James, a boy from a rival community, he faces the brutal realities of prejudice and the struggle for acceptance. The narrative delves deep into themes of family, loyalty, and the search for belonging, painting a vivid picture of life in a community where love and violence are intertwined.

  21. 21. Wittgenstein Jr. by Lars Iyer

    The novel follows a group of Cambridge philosophy students under the guidance of their enigmatic and often perplexing lecturer, whom they nickname Wittgenstein Jr due to his philosophical intensity and resemblance to the famous philosopher. Throughout the academic year, the students grapple with their own intellectual and existential crises while being drawn into their lecturer's personal quest to forge a philosophical path that both honors and challenges the legacy of his namesake. The narrative weaves together themes of youth, academia, and the struggle for meaning in a style that is both humorous and deeply reflective.

  22. 22. My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

    The novel explores the complex and strained relationship between a woman and her estranged parents, particularly her mother. The protagonist grapples with the lasting effects of her upbringing, characterized by emotional distance, misunderstandings, and unmet needs. As she navigates her adult life, she reflects on the enduring impact of her childhood and the challenges of forging her own identity in the shadow of her parents' influence. The narrative delves into themes of memory, alienation, and the search for self amidst the phantoms of familial ties that both haunt and shape our experiences.

  23. 23. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

    The novel centers on a young Jamaican British woman living in London, navigating the complexities of her identity, mental health, and relationships. After a painful breakup with her long-term boyfriend, she finds herself in a downward spiral, struggling with her self-worth and the pressures of societal expectations. As she deals with workplace discrimination, problematic dating experiences, and familial issues, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing, supported by a cast of well-drawn friends and family members. The story offers a candid and often humorous exploration of contemporary issues such as race, feminism, and mental health, while providing a nuanced portrayal of the protagonist's resilience and growth.

  24. 24. Five Steps To Happy by Ella Dove

    This novel follows the journey of a young woman whose life is turned upside down after a tragic accident results in the amputation of her leg. As she grapples with her new reality, she embarks on a path of self-discovery and healing. With the support of a cast of quirky characters she meets at a rehabilitation center, including a charming fellow patient, she learns to navigate her challenges with resilience and humor. Her story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to adapt and find happiness, even in the face of life-altering changes, as she takes incremental steps towards rebuilding her life and finding joy once again.

  25. 25. Swing Time by Zadie Smith

    This novel follows the lives of two biracial girls who dream of becoming professional dancers. Although they both have talent, only one of them has the ambition to pursue it. As their lives diverge, one girl becomes a personal assistant to a pop star while the other lives a life of relative obscurity. The narrative explores themes of race, class, friendship, and identity, weaving a story that spans decades and continents.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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