"Infinite Jest," published in 1996, is a novel by David Foster Wallace that has gained a reputation for its complexity and depth. The novel features an intricate narrative that includes extensive footnotes and multiple intersecting plotlines. It explores themes of addiction, the nature of entertainment, and the quest for meaning in a world overwhelmed by media and consumer culture. Wallace's innovative use of narrative techniques and the novel's dense thematic content make it a key work in postmodern literature.

"The Handmaid's Tale," published in 1985, is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood. It depicts a future society in which a totalitarian regime, the Republic of Gilead, has overthrown the United States government and imposed strict controls on women's rights and reproductive functions. The story is told through the eyes of Offred, a "handmaid" whose sole purpose is to bear children for the ruling class. The novel addresses themes of power, control, and resistance and is a powerful critique of gender oppression.

"The Satanic Verses," published in 1988, is a novel by Salman Rushdie that incorporates elements of magical realism to explore themes of religious faith, identity, and cultural conflict. The book provoked widespread controversy, particularly among some Muslim communities, due to its portrayal of religious themes, leading to calls for its ban and even a fatwa against Rushdie. Despite the controversy, it is regarded as a significant work of postmodern literature.

"White Noise," published in 1985, is one of Don DeLillo's most famous novels. It explores the pervasive influence of media and technology on modern life. The protagonist, Jack Gladney, is a professor of Hitler Studies who grapples with the existential threats posed by an ever-present media culture, toxic chemical spills, and the fear of death. The novel is a critical examination of the simulacra and hyperreality characteristic of postmodernism.

"Gravity's Rainbow," published in 1973, is Thomas Pynchon's most acclaimed novel and a cornerstone of postmodern literature. The novel's intricate and fragmented narrative, set during and after World War II, delves into themes of paranoia, conspiracy, and the interplay between technology and humanity. Its complex structure and vast array of characters and plots make it a quintessential postmodern text.

"Waiting for Godot," written by Samuel Beckett and first performed in 1953 (published in 1949), is a quintessential example of the Theatre of the Absurd. The play revolves around two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait for someone named Godot, who never arrives. The play's exploration of existential themes, human despair, and the absurdity of life has made it one of the most significant works of 20th-century drama.

"Sons and Lovers," published in 1913, is a novel by D.H. Lawrence that explores complex family dynamics and Oedipal themes. The protagonist, Paul Morel, has a deeply close and emotionally dependent relationship with his mother, Gertrude Morel, which significantly impacts his romantic relationships and personal development. The novel examines the psychological and emotional conflicts arising from this intense mother-son bond.

"Mrs Dalloway," published in 1925, is one of Virginia Woolf's most famous novels, known for its pioneering use of stream-of-consciousness narrative. The novel delves deeply into the thoughts and feelings of its characters, particularly Clarissa Dalloway, as she prepares for a party she is hosting that evening. Woolf's narrative technique allows for an intimate exploration of the characters' inner lives and the passage of time.

T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," published in 1922, is one of the most important poems of the 20th century, reflecting the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I Europe. The poem incorporates a wide range of literary and cultural references, employing a modernist style that includes stream-of-consciousness, shifts in narrative voice, and fragmented structure. The opening line, "April is the cruellest month," sets the tone for the poem's exploration of decay and renewal.

"Ulysses," published in 1922, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and influential works of modernist literature. James Joyce uses a stream-of-consciousness narrative technique to delve deeply into the inner thoughts and experiences of its characters, particularly Leopold Bloom, over the course of a single day, June 16, 1904, in Dublin. The novel's innovative style and structure revolutionized literary narrative.