Plot and “literary” are not mutually exclusive. We know this.

Cold Mountain (took 15 years to write but worth it)

The Lathe of Heaven (convoluted, yes, but every other page is a closed envelope we want to open)

The Road (obvious, but so is Cajun food with beer. Yet who would eat Cajun food without beer?)

So.

What is the best action/plot/page-churn/turn novel with a theme (a vague term, commence the coughing, but you know I mean: So What?/Idea of Life/Quickening of Human Heart/Quickening of Mind/Aspect of Life Experience/Etc.)?

Plot AND Theme.

Your choice?