Contemporary writers have returned to the concerns of pre-modernist writers by writing about the issues that pre-modern writers faced. This can be things like war, plagues, etc. Some contemporary writers have chosen to write books around these issues as it gives a sense of what people went through back then. Currently, we don't have to fear of war, a plague, or anything really. That aspect of pure terror and fear for you or your country has long been lost in some. So, contemporary writers choose to touch this aspect.
Hope this helped. Have a great day!
