The article explores a question rarely examined: what constitutes the 'Great American Novel' for the 21st century, building upon a concept first coined in 1968. Rather than confining the discussion to fiction alone, the piece acknowledges that both novels and non-fiction works published since 2001 have significantly enriched America's literary landscape, demonstrating the country's continued cultural vitality in recent decades.

The featured selections showcase works spanning multiple genres and themes, from Anthony Doerr's historically nuanced World War II narrative that won the Pulitzer Prize, to Honorée Fanonne Jeffers's expansive family saga exploring Black and Indigenous American heritage. These acclaimed titles emphasise contemporary literature that combines technical mastery with substantive exploration of empathy, historical resilience, and the complexity of American identity, reflecting the ambition and diversity of literary output in the early 21st century.