The novel follows the journey of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn and a runaway slave named Jim as they travel down the Mississippi River on a raft. Set in the American South before the Civil War, the story explores themes of friendship, freedom, and the hypocrisy of society. Through various adventures and encounters with a host of colorful characters, Huck grapples with his personal values, often clashing with the societal norms of the time.

This classic novel follows the lives of two contrasting women, the cunning and ruthless Becky Sharp and the sweet and naive Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society during the Napoleonic Wars. The book is a satirical exploration of the obsession with wealth, status, and social climbing, and the moral bankruptcy that can result from such pursuits. The narrative weaves an intricate tale of love, betrayal, and redemption, exposing the vanity and hypocrisy of high society.

In this satirical novel, a man travels through Russia buying up the titles to deceased serfs (or "souls") from their naive landowners, under the guise of a get-rich-quick scheme. However, his real plan is to use these "dead souls" to create a phantom estate and secure a massive loan. The story explores the corruption and greed prevalent in 19th-century Russian society and provides a unique perspective on the human condition.

"The Good Soldier Svejk" is a satirical novel set during World War I, following the story of a Czech soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army. Svejk, the protagonist, is a simple-minded, good-natured man who is frequently arrested for bungling jobs due to his apparent idiocy. Despite his constant run-ins with authority, Svejk manages to maintain his cheerful disposition and even takes advantage of his perceived stupidity to manipulate the system. The book offers a humorous and critical perspective on the absurdity of war and the incompetence of military bureaucracy.

The book follows the lives of two Jewish cousins, one a skilled escape artist and the other a talented artist, before, during, and after World War II. They create a popular comic book superhero, which brings them fame and fortune. However, their success is complicated by personal struggles, including the escape artist's attempts to rescue his family from Nazi-occupied Prague and the artist's struggle with his sexuality. The narrative explores themes of escapism, identity, and the golden age of comic books.

"The Magnificent Ambersons" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in the early 20th century that explores the dramatic changes brought about by the industrial revolution in America. It follows the decline of the once-prosperous Amberson family as their fortune and influence wane with the rise of new money and modern technology. The story is centered around the prideful and spoiled George Amberson Minafer, whose arrogance and inability to adapt to the changing world lead to his downfall.

The novel follows the fantastical journey of a 19th-century American engineer who, after a blow to the head, finds himself transported back in time to the medieval kingdom of King Arthur. Using his modern knowledge and ingenuity, the protagonist attempts to modernize the past society, introducing industrial technology and democratic ideas. His efforts to revolutionize the Arthurian world are met with both humor and a critical examination of the social and political issues of both the past and his contemporary society, ultimately leading to a complex interplay between progress and tradition.

The novel is set in London, 1945, during the final days of World War II. It revolves around a group of young women living in the May of Teck Club, a hostel for "the Pecuniary Convenience and Social Protection of Ladies of Slender Means below the age of Thirty Years." The narrative primarily focuses on their daily lives, their relationships, and their struggles to secure suitable husbands or lovers. The story is punctuated by a tragic event that leaves a lasting impact on the lives of these women.

"Odessa Stories" is a collection of short stories set in the bustling city of Odessa, Ukraine, during the early 20th century. Through vivid and colorful characters, the book explores the vibrant and diverse Jewish community of Odessa, capturing their struggles, dreams, and everyday lives. With a blend of humor, tragedy, and satire, the stories paint a rich portrait of a city and its people, offering a unique glimpse into a bygone era.

"Dog Years" is a novel set in Germany during the rise and fall of the Nazi regime and the aftermath of World War II. The story is told from the perspectives of three friends: Walter Matern, a fervent Nazi supporter; Eduard Amsel, a Jewish artist who creates scarecrows; and Harry Liebenau, who narrates their stories. The novel explores the complexities of friendship and identity amidst the backdrop of war, guilt, and redemption. It also delves into the psychological impact of the Holocaust on German society and the struggle to come to terms with its horrific past.

"The Book-Dealer Who Ceased Bathing" is a humorous and engaging story about a quirky bookseller who decides to stop bathing. His unusual decision leads to a series of comical and unexpected consequences, as he grapples with the reactions of his customers, neighbors, and the local community. The book cleverly explores themes of individuality, societal expectations, and the often absurd nature of human behavior.

This novel is a humorous coming-of-age story set in the American South in the early 20th century. It follows a young boy who, along with two companions, steals his grandfather's car and embarks on an adventure to Memphis. Along the way, they encounter various characters and situations that challenge their morals and force them to grow up quickly. The journey serves as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood.

"The History of a Town" is a satirical novel that chronicles the absurd and often grotesque history of a fictional Russian town, serving as an allegory for the bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and societal stagnation of Tsarist Russia. Through a series of vignettes and historical accounts, the narrative lampoons the town's inept leaders and the apathetic or complicit townsfolk, using dark humor and irony to critique the autocratic government and the broader socio-political climate of the time. The work is a scathing commentary on the folly of human nature and the cyclical nature of history, where progress is continually undermined by human vices and incompetence.

In this ancient Greek comedy, the women of Athens, fed up with the mismanagement and corruption of male politicians, disguise themselves as men to take over the city's assembly. Once in power, they institute a series of radical reforms, including the communal sharing of wealth and property, and the requirement that the most attractive men must sleep with the ugliest women first to ensure fairness in love. The play satirizes gender roles, political life in Athens, and the utopian solutions to societal problems, all while delivering a humorous yet pointed critique of the effectiveness of democratic governance and the nature of power.

This novel is a satirical and humorous journey into the life of an eccentric narrator obsessed with the 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding. The protagonist embarks on a bizarre quest to uncover intimate and scandalous details of Harding's life, leading him into a series of absurd and often hilarious situations. Through a blend of fact and fiction, the narrative delves into the complexities of historical interpretation and the peculiarities of American political culture, all while exploring themes of obsession, identity, and the elusive nature of truth. The book's unique approach to storytelling and its sharp wit make it a distinctive exploration of American history and the lengths to which one might go to uncover it.

This book is a comedic romp through Elizabethan England, where historical figures and fictional characters collide in a series of misadventures. At the heart of the story is the quest for a bed promised to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth herself, which becomes entangled with William Shakespeare's struggle to write his plays amidst the chaos of missing manuscripts, mistaken identities, and the antics of an anachronistic swashbuckler. The narrative weaves together satire, farce, and witty dialogue, poking fun at the quirks of the time period while offering a playful take on the creation of some of the most enduring works of English literature.

"Deacon King Kong" by James McBride is a novel set in 1969 Brooklyn, where a drunken Deacon Sportcoat shoots a drug dealer named Deems Clemens in the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project. The shooting sets off a chain of events that brings together a cast of characters from the neighborhood, including a young drug dealer, a church-going widow, a corrupt cop, and a group of elderly church women. Through their perspectives, McBride explores themes of race, religion, and community in a vibrant and humorous tale.

"Water Music" is a historical fiction novel that follows the adventures of two men, an explorer and a petty criminal, during the late 18th century. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the explorer, who embarks on a quest to discover the source of the Niger River in Africa, and the criminal, who is trying to navigate the underbelly of London. The novel blends humor, rich historical detail, and adventure as it explores themes of ambition, survival, and the clash of cultures.

The book is a rich tapestry of historical fiction and magical realism, weaving together the lives of a talking fish, a series of women cooks, and the men in their lives over several centuries. It explores themes of feminism, power, and the evolution of culinary arts, with the titular flounder serving as a guide and witness to the unfolding human drama. The narrative spans from the Stone Age to the modern era, reflecting on the changing roles and relationships between men and women, as well as the impact of these dynamics on culture and society. The novel is a blend of myth, satire, and allegory, presenting a unique perspective on the history of humanity through the lens of food and gender politics.

This novel follows the story of George Mills, a character cursed by his lineage to be an eternal servant, a fate passed down from generation to generation for a thousand years. The narrative explores the trials and tribulations of Mills as he navigates his life, dealing with his inherited servitude and the societal changes around him. The book delves into themes of destiny, fate, and the human condition, offering a poignant commentary on class struggle and the power of individual will.

"Kruger's Alp" follows the journey of a South African everyman, a railway guard, who embarks on a trek across Europe to find the grave of Paul Kruger, a former president of South Africa. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters and experiences that reflect on the history and politics of his home country, providing a satirical and insightful commentary on South African society during the apartheid era.