Who is the author of the novel The Last Word, a contemporary work of fiction with a literary and cultural theme?

Introduction / Context:
Many general knowledge questions ask about modern novels and their authors, especially when the books attract critical attention. The Last Word is a contemporary novel that explores themes such as literary celebrity and the relationship between a famous writer and a biographer. Identifying its author helps learners expand their awareness of present day English language fiction beyond only the most commonly cited names.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The title of the novel is The Last Word.
• The options list four well known authors in English language writing.
• The task is to pick the correct author of this specific book.
• We assume information based on widely accepted literary references.

Concept / Approach:
The concept here is authorship identification within modern English literature. Hanif Kureishi is a British author known for works that explore identity, culture and relationships. The Last Word is one of his later novels. The correct approach is to recall for which titles each of the listed authors is famous and then match The Last Word to the right person rather than guessing from general fame.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the given title The Last Word. Step 2: Remember that Hanif Kureishi, a British novelist and screen writer, wrote a novel called The Last Word that deals with a biographer and an ageing writer. Step 3: Salman Rushdie is associated with novels such as Midnight Children and The Satanic Verses, not The Last Word. Step 4: Arundhati Roy is known for The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Step 5: Khushwant Singh is famous for Train to Pakistan and various essays and columns, not this particular novel. Step 6: Therefore, the correct author of The Last Word among the given options is Hanif Kureishi.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking any reliable library catalogue or book seller listing under The Last Word will show Hanif Kureishi as the author. Additionally, critical reviews and literary articles discussing the novel consistently refer to it as his work. This independent confirmation ensures that we are not confusing the book with essays or other similarly titled works by different writers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Salman Rushdie: A leading novelist, but his bibliography does not include a novel titled The Last Word.
Arundhati Roy: A Booker Prize winning author, yet she has not written a novel with this exact title.
Khushwant Singh: Prominent Indian writer and journalist, but his fiction and non fiction works carry different titles and themes.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that widely known Indian writers like Salman Rushdie or Khushwant Singh must be correct if the name of the novel is not familiar. Another pitfall is confusing different books that discuss writing or words in their titles. To avoid such mistakes, learners should regularly update their list of important contemporary novels and match each one carefully to its author while revising.

Final Answer:
The novel The Last Word is authored by Hanif Kureishi.