[Barty]

For this discussion, I'll define "classic" as assigned reading in English class for highschoolers or college freshmen. What contemporary authors will be the future Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, or Harper Lee?

I know writers like Updike and Joyce Carol Oates have already had some of their short stories anthologized. Their novels, not so much. Roth is going to be a tough sell since every novel of his I've read features some lamentation of the excellent head the protagonist isn't getting. Maybe Mailer's semi non fiction? I could see an adventurous teacher assigning McCarthy's The Road (hey, it was an Oprah book). More likely, Toni Morrison, because of her subject matters. Guys like Pynchon and DFWallace will be relegated to the post grads. Maybe more "popular" authors like Larry McMurtry or Anne Tyler, or even Stephen King.

Of course assigned reading will always be a combination of literary merit, social "relevance", and what won't get the parents up in arms and demand for heads to roll.

Post your 2c.