Discovering the Best New Books in 2014 Fiction

A great new historical fiction book is 'The Song of Achilles'. It's a beautiful retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology. The writing is so vivid that it really makes the ancient world come alive.

The book 'Thanneer Desam' is considered among the top Tamil fictions. It delves deep into the social issues of its time. The author uses a very engaging narrative style to tell a story that makes readers think about the problems faced by society.

Some new Australian crime fiction that stands out is that which focuses on the seedy underbelly of big cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Authors are exploring the criminal networks that operate in these urban landscapes.

Margaret Atwood's 'Alias Grace' is an excellent historical fiction. Based on a true story in 19th - century Canada, it delves into the mind of a female prisoner and the society's view of women at that time. It's a thought - provoking read that combines historical facts with fictional elements in a masterful way. There are so many details about the social norms, the legal system, and the way women were treated. It makes you think about justice and how it was served in the past. Also, the character of Grace is very complex and multi - faceted, which adds to the overall allure of the book.

Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' is a must - mention. It's a magical realist take on India's independence and the generation born at that time. It's filled with political and cultural references.

A great 2014 fiction book is 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves' by Karen Joy Fowler. It has an interesting plot twist that really makes you think about family, ethics, and what it means to be human.

I think 'A Song of Wraiths and Ruin' by Roseanne A. Brown is also great. It combines elements of fantasy and West African mythology. The story of two characters from different backgrounds whose fates become intertwined is full of suspense and magic.

I really like 'The General Retires' by Dương Thu Hương. It's a great piece of Vietnamese fiction that shows the inner workings of power and the human condition in the context of Vietnam. It's very thought - provoking.

For 2019 LGBT fiction, you can't miss 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' by Ocean Vuong. It's a beautifully written novel that touches on the experiences of a queer Vietnamese - American. It has themes of family, immigration, and queer identity woven together in a very poetic way.

One of the best new French novels is 'Small Country' by Gaël Faye. It tells a powerful story about a young boy growing up during the Rwandan genocide and his experiences in France. It has beautiful prose and a heart - wrenching plot.