[Waylander]

Any recommendations for fiction set in the 40's and 50's? Sort of like what Dickens did for the 19th century? Preferably in Britain or America, gripping plots, intriguing characters and relationships, if genre then more literary than pulp (not out of snobbery, just want to read something different). For example, Peyton Place is sort of what I would call "social fiction", a bit like social history, but with a story and plot. Anything in that vein would be great.

Edit:
To help a bit more, Donna Tart's The Goldfinch looks at modern life through the plot of the story. That's what I'm looking for in the era specified. Also, can be both modern of contemporary, but contemporary fiction would give a better sense of place.