Modern literature, which at least spans the 20th and 21st centuries, was difficult to describe when it first emerged and differs from country to country. Although all written works, including letters and journals, are considered literature, the genre is best recognized for its fiction, poetry, and non-fiction articles that appear in magazines and newspapers. Despite the fact that the two movements are contemporaneous, it shouldn't be mistaken with modernist literature.

The search for an honest reaction to an altered reality, as well as industrialization and urbanization, feed the modern urge in a variety of literary works. Henry James, Joseph Conrad, and other authors' prewar writings are considered modernist, but modernism as a literary trend is primarily connected to the years following World War I. Postwar Modern literature represented a sense of disappointment and fragmentation as a result of how seriously the war had taken the foundations of Western civilization and culture.

The voices of underprivileged communities that were previously ignored or unheard are now more powerfully amplified thanks to modern literature. There is a new generation of authors from many origins who share their individual experiences and throw light on social topics including immigration, race, gender, and sexuality. Books like "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates give moving insights into the lived reality of people who are frequently suppressed by dominant narratives.

Modern literature has transcended geographical boundaries, allowing readers to embark on literary journeys across cultures and continents. Writers like Haruki Murakami, Arundhati Roy, and Elena Ferrante have captivated global audiences, infusing their works with rich cultural tapestries and exploring universal human experiences.

Postmodernism, poststructuralism, and post-colonialism were all products of modernism, structuralism, and colonialism. The numerous literary genres expanded on and diverged from earlier literary genres. Through the promotion of modern-era literature, many new countries, many of them false inventions, have attempted to define their own identities.