≡Writers and Their Works
World literature is marked by great names whose works continue to influence generations of readers. William Shakespeare, with his timeless plays such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, is considered one of the greatest playwrights in history, exploring the complexities of human nature. Franz Kafka, with works such as The Metamorphosis, revealed the absurdity of the human condition and the oppression of the system. In Brazil, Machado de Assis, in classics such as Dom Casmurro, addressed social and psychological issues, while Jane Austen, with Pride and Prejudice, revolutionized literature by discussing social relations and marriage.
While these authors continue to resonate in the collective imagination, new writers are gaining prominence, bringing freshness and diversity to contemporary literature. Authors such as Colson Whitehead, who won the Pulitzer Prize for The Intuition of Justice, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who won the Americanah, are examples of innovative voices that address issues of race, culture and identity.
In addition, writing styles vary significantly between authors and cultures. While Western literature tends to focus on linear narrative structure and psychological realism, other cultures, such as Japan, explore more symbolism and introspection, as in Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood.
Did you know??
