Toni Morrison

Known for her powerful exploration of African American identity and experience in novels like "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," Morrison was a Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Philip Roth

A prolific writer whose works often explore themes of Jewish-American identity, sexuality, and American society. Novels like "American Pastoral" and "Portnoy's Complaint" are considered classics.

Don DeLillo

Renowned for his postmodernist novels that dissect contemporary American culture and society, DeLillo's works include "White Noise," "Underworld," and "Libra."

Alice Walker

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author best known for her novel "The Color Purple," which explores themes of race, gender, and empowerment in the American South.

Jonathan Franzen

Known for his epic family sagas and keen observations of modern American life, Franzen's novels include "The Corrections" and "Freedom."

Jennifer Egan

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author acclaimed for her innovative narrative techniques and explorations of technology, identity, and memory in novels like "A Visit from the Goon Squad" and "Manhattan Beach."

Cormac McCarthy

Renowned for his stark and often brutal portrayals of the American West, McCarthy's novels include "Blood Meridian," "The Road," and "No Country for Old Men."

Louise Erdrich

Celebrated for her poignant portrayals of Native American life and culture, Erdrich's novels include "Love Medicine," "The Round House," and "The Plague of Doves."

Colson Whitehead

A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner known for his imaginative storytelling and incisive explorations of race and history, Whitehead's novels include "The Underground Railroad" and "The Nickel Boys."

Marilynne Robinson

Revered for her lyrical prose and meditative explorations of faith, morality, and the American Midwest, Robinson's novels include "Gilead," "Home," and "Lila."

This list represents just a fraction of the many talented American novelists, each with their unique styles, voices, and contributions to literature.