i'd say The Virgin is Homer, cos he's Homer sexual

sorry, couldn't resist

Probably Dr. Seuss.

Honorable mention Shel Silverstein

I'm not a fan of feeding trolls, but that's ****ing hilarious.

Although I've also been known to laugh at Larry The Cable Guy, so...

^ fixed.

Part the reason that sparked the question is I haven't read a lot of heavy literature from my own era. If I read anything post 1900 it's usually pop or campy stuff.

I really need to read some modern classics.

sad artists
 

Its quite possible that the writers appreciated centuries from now are gona be people completely unappreciated or even unheard in their own time. Think about how much American culture alone has changed in under a century -stuff thats hot centuies from now might be dang near unrelatable today. idk Homer's stuff works on a very basic level. The Odessy is all about a guy trying to get home to his family against all odds. Timesless themes I guess, think o stuff with timeless themes...hmm....heheh yeah the Goosebump Guy totally Man. heheh.

Really? Who would you say are the well-known authors of the first through tenth centuries? My point is that there are entire centuries, sometimes many of them in a row, without authors who are remembered. We may very well be alive during one such time period.

Meh. I think Vonnegut is a much better author than Irving. My experience with Irving, even though I like him, has been the more of his books I read the less I like him.

Danielle Steel!!!

http://www.nndb.com/people/806/000024734/steel.jpg

Vonnegut is more consistent, I definitely agree, but I feel that maybe John Irving could have a bigger impact if more people read him :) After all, he's written several novels with controversial aspects, like abortion (Cider House Rules, which is such a pro choice book I get a feminist boner when I read it), homosexuality (several of his books actually, and they're never condescending and hardly ever ascribe to stereotypes which is so progressive) and he even has a trans person in his novels, and no one acts like there's something wrong with her, she's a great character. Vonnegut does write great stories but I think in a more lasting impact, Irving would get the crown.