"CLASH OF THE TITANS"

                                                      Great Fiction Writers

 

Those who’ve never studied Greek Mythology Gods watched any movie version on cable or never heard of The Titans, allow me to enlighten you.

 The Titans were mythological deities that preceded the Olympians—the children of the primordial gods.

Before you lose focus or are offended, I even mentioned such things. Allow me to explain.

I referenced The Titans because I love studying Greek Mythology and other religions. Plus, I’m a writer of fiction and biased. Lastly, it ties into today’s discussion.

There have always been titan-level clashes of great heroes, athletes, and writers.  

Though the titans I will speak of today aren’t gods of any kind, they were still at the top of their A-game when writing fiction.

And why I wanted to celebrate a few of my favorite fictional writers.

Starting with Alice Walker, the author of The Color Purple. One of her most prolific works that people still quote scenes from her book to this day. Many other books came before and after The Color Purple. But for me, Alice became a titan and why she heads my list of great fiction writers.

Next, Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison BKA Toni Morrison was a giant of giants for her complex fictional characters. Like Alice, Toni’s Beloved not only topped the charts as a bestseller but also became a movie. She won a Nobel Prize in Literature and Pulitzer Prize for Fiction that not only solidifies Toni as a Titan but explains why she’s on my top 10 list.

Walter Mosley holds third place not because he isn’t worthy of the top two spots but because on my list of top 10, third place was a good fit for him. Walter will always be remembered for his book Devil in a Blue Dress. If you’ve only seen the movie with Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, then you’re missing out by not reading the book too. Walter created characters who embodied the black experience in ways all people could understand.

Zora Neale Hurston takes the fourth spot on my list but holds a soft place in my heart for Their Eyes Were Watching God. Her characters portrayed the racial struggles and epitomized what it was like to be black in America during the early 1900s and shone a light on acceptance, a battle that continues today.

Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun debuted on Broadway in 1959. I will never forget the unforgettable performance of Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee. Lorraine’s understanding of black culture and its diversity is why she deserves to be on my list.  

Diana Gabaldon also made my list for her Outlander Series. Her knack for historical detail is superb, and I appreciate a side of sci-fi in all fictional stories.

Bernard Cornwell is an English historical fiction author, and he also made the list because I’m a major, The Last Kingdom fan. I’ve read the books and finished watching the last season on Netflix. It did not disappoint. If you’re a fan of medieval fiction, I suggest you read the books first before watching the series.

Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches series of books delves deeply into the spiritual realm. If you love fantasy fiction as I do, you will appreciate her talent for fictional creativity. Also, the television series ain’t bad either.

Alex Haley will always be remembered for his book Roots. Who can forget Kunta Kinte, portrayed by Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton in the television series with a host of other well-known actors? Alex unabashedly told the story of slavery. Although the story and characters are fictional, still hold an undeniable core of truth.  

John Steinbeck’s, The Grapes of Wrath pairs perfectly with clashing titans. Another Pulitzer Prize Awardee spoke of social inequities and unfair working conditions of migrant workers during the great depression spilling over to the present day. It is a historical work of art but fictional, and I believe anyone who has ever read Steinbeck understands what it’s like to be viewed as the underdog in a dog-eat-dog society.

James Baldwin, one of the greatest activists, poets, and novelists of our time, rounds out my top ten list. James, If Beale Street Could Talk was a fictional romance but highlighted injustices and cruelty that many of color still identify with today.

This compilation is just a shortlist of my favorites and would take numerous hours to share them all. But, I hope you will get a copy of these titles, read and share them. I also hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I did and make your list of titans.