The American novelist Russell Banks, a great figure in contemporary literature, known for his portraits of the working class, died Saturday at the age of 82 from cancer.

• Read also: Oh, Canada: a literary event for Russell Banks

• Read also: Not to be missed: back-to-school novels

• Read also: Back to the cinema: here are the 30 most anticipated films of the fall

The author of “Continents Adrift” and “Cloud Slayer” has “passed away peacefully at his home in upstate New York,” writer Joyce Carol Oates announced Sunday morning.

"All of his work was exceptional," she praised on Twitter.

Novelist, short story writer and poet, Russell Banks loved to tell the hardships of the working class through characters who struggle with poverty, drug addiction, class and race issues.

The author won the John-Dos-Passos prize in 1995 and many other awards.

Two of his works have also been the subject of widely acclaimed films.