"Return to Oegstgeest" is a semi-autobiographical narrative that explores the author's childhood and adolescence in the small Dutch town of Oegstgeest during the pre and post-World War II era. The book delves into the author's troubled relationship with his stern, religious parents, his struggles with faith, and his burgeoning artistic and sexual awakening. The narrative is a poignant exploration of memory, family, and the experiences that shape one's identity.

"Max Havelaar" is a novel centered around a Dutch civil servant who is stationed in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) during the mid-19th century. The protagonist, trying to battle the corruption and exploitation of the local people by Dutch colonial rulers, becomes disillusioned with the system. The novel provides a scathing critique of the colonial regime's treatment of the indigenous people, highlighting their suffering and exploitation. The author uses various narrative techniques and perspectives, making it a significant work in Dutch literature.

"Eline Vere" is a classic novel that explores the life of a young, neurotic woman from the Hague, who is trapped in the restrictive high society of late 19th-century Holland. The protagonist, Eline Vere, is an enchanting but unstable young woman who self-destructs through her irrational fears and fantasies. The novel vividly depicts the social and cultural milieu of the time and is also a psychological study of a woman whose life spirals out of control.

"The Forbidden Kingdom" is a historical fiction novel that intertwines the stories of two men, a 20th century sailor and 16th century Portuguese poet, Luis Camões. The narrative alternates between the two, exploring the sailor's obsession with the poet's life and the poet's experiences in the East, including his journey to Macao. The book delves into themes of identity, obsession, and the clash of Eastern and Western cultures.

This novel explores the life of a young boy named Nol Rieske, who falls in love with the daughter of a bandmaster in a small Dutch town. As he grows older, he becomes a successful musician, but his obsession with the bandmaster's daughter, who is mentally ill, continues to dominate his life. The story is a detailed exploration of a man's lifelong infatuation and its profound impact on his personal and professional life.

"Camera Obscura" is a collection of humorous and satirical sketches that provide a vivid picture of 19th-century Dutch society. It explores the social and domestic life of the middle classes, their habits, their social pretensions, their pleasures and their follies. The book also includes a series of character studies, often based on the author's acquaintances, which are presented in a light-hearted and often ironic tone.

"Forever a Stranger" is a historical novel set in the 19th-century Dutch East Indies, now known as Indonesia. It tells the story of Rudolf, a half-Dutch, half-Javanese boy, who is raised by his Dutch father after his Javanese mother's death. Throughout his life, Rudolf grapples with his mixed heritage and struggles to find a sense of belonging, experiencing the harsh realities of colonialism and the cultural divide between the Dutch and the Javanese. The narrative provides a critical examination of colonialism and its impact on identity, culture, and society.

This novel delves into the hidden secrets and unspoken truths of an elderly couple, revealing the profound impact of their concealed affair on their family across generations. As the narrative unfolds, it exposes the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of past actions, illustrating how secrets can ripple through time, affecting not just those who keep them but also their descendants. The story masterfully explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the inescapable nature of the past, all while painting a poignant picture of aging and the inevitable passage of time.

"Smell of Sadness" is a poignant narrative that revolves around a man who, after being separated from his wife during the Second World War, embarks on a journey to find her. The story takes us through the protagonist's experiences, his encounters with various people, and his personal struggles. The book is a deep exploration of human emotions, particularly the profound sadness that permeates through the protagonist's life, making it a moving and thought-provoking read.

"Rituals" is a philosophical novel that explores the lives of three men, each dealing with existential crises in post-World War II Netherlands. The narrative delves into their individual searches for meaning and purpose, their struggles with societal norms, and their attempts to establish personal rituals as a way to create order in a seemingly chaotic world. The book is a profound meditation on the human condition, examining themes of time, death, and the nature of reality.

"Purple Hibiscus" follows the story of a 15-year-old Nigerian girl, Kambili, and her older brother Jaja, who live a privileged life in Enugu. However, their father is a religious fanatic and a domestic tyrant. The siblings are sent to their Aunty Ifeoma's home, a university professor, who provides them a taste of freedom and shows them a different way of life outside their father's oppressive rule. The novel explores themes of colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the post-colonial political situation in Nigeria.

The book in question is a unique blend of biography, autobiography, and fantasy, where the author imagines inviting historical figures from different eras to dinner at his home. Through a series of lively conversations and interactions, the author and his guests explore the lives and thoughts of these famous individuals, ranging from philosophers and scientists to artists and rulers. The narrative provides a creative and insightful look at history, as well as the author's own musings on life, culture, and human progress, all while blurring the lines between past and present in an engaging and whimsical manner.

This novel explores the life of Idu, a devoted wife whose existence becomes deeply intertwined with that of her husband, Amadi, who is the love of her life. Set against the backdrop of traditional Igbo society in Nigeria, the story delves into themes of love, loss, and the societal expectations placed upon women. When tragedy strikes and Idu is faced with Amadi's untimely death, her world is shattered, leading her to challenge the conventions and expectations of widowhood. Her profound connection to her husband transcends the physical realm, showcasing the depth of her love and commitment. Through Idu's journey, the narrative presents a poignant exploration of the roles of women, the significance of tradition, and the power of love to transcend the boundaries of life and death.

In a world where magic has been suppressed and the maji people have been oppressed, Zélie, a young maji girl, embarks on a dangerous quest to restore magic and bring justice to her people. Alongside her brother and a rogue princess, Zélie must confront her own powers and face formidable enemies, navigating a treacherous landscape of betrayal and sacrifice. As they race against time, Zélie discovers that she may hold the key to not only saving her people, but also to changing the destiny of their entire nation.

"An Image of Africa" is a critical essay that explores the portrayal of Africa and Africans in Western literature, focusing particularly on Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." The author argues that Conrad, despite being celebrated as a paragon of modernist literature, presents Africa as an antithesis to Europe and civilization, and Africans as culturally and humanly inferior. This work challenges the implicit racism in treating Africa as merely a backdrop for the breakdown of Europeans, urging a reevaluation of how African people and their cultures are depicted in literature and beyond.

"Gimmick!" is a novel that explores the life of a young artist in the Amsterdam art scene during the 1980s. The protagonist is caught in a world of excess, parties, drugs, sex, and betrayal while trying to find his place and make a name for himself. The story delves into the struggles of artistic life, the lure of fame and the pitfalls of success, providing a raw and gritty depiction of the times.

The novel is a poignant exploration of the life of a strong and independent woman in a traditional Igbo community in Nigeria. The protagonist, after whom the book is named, is admired for her beauty, intelligence, and wealth, but she faces personal tragedies and societal pressures. Despite her successes in business and her contributions to her community, she struggles with the expectations placed on her as a woman, particularly with respect to marriage and childbearing. The narrative delves into themes of feminism, tradition, and the role of women in a changing society, as the protagonist navigates her relationships and seeks fulfillment in a culture that often values women primarily through their husbands and children.

"The Letters of Vincent van Gogh" is a compilation of correspondence that provides a deep and personal insight into the mind of one of the world's most famous and influential painters. Through these letters, primarily written to his brother Theo, the reader gains an intimate understanding of Van Gogh's thoughts on art, his emotional struggles, his aspirations, and the profound relationships he maintained throughout his turbulent life. The collection not only sheds light on his creative process but also reveals his reflections on existence, his financial difficulties, and his relentless pursuit of his artistic vision, offering a poignant look at his world from his own perspective.

"The Laws" is a philosophical novel that follows the life of a young woman studying philosophy who becomes intrigued by the concept of laws, both societal and personal. Over the course of seven years, she engages in relationships with seven different men, each representing a different aspect of her studies including a priest, a physicist, an artist, a psychiatrist, a lawyer, a biologist, and a writer. Each relationship provides a new perspective on her quest to understand the laws of the universe and human nature.

"The Bride Price" is a novel that explores the life of a young Nigerian girl who, despite her father's disapproval, dreams of furthering her education. After her father's death, she is forced into an arranged marriage due to cultural traditions, but she defies the system and elopes with her lover. However, the consequences of unpaid bride price haunt her, leading to a tragic ending. The book highlights the clash between traditional African values and modern aspirations, the struggles of women in patriarchal societies, and the impact of colonialism on African cultures.

"Death And The King's Horsemen" is a powerful play set in Nigeria during the colonial era. It explores the clash between traditional African beliefs and the influence of Western culture. The story follows the tragic consequences that unfold when a British colonial officer tries to prevent the ritual suicide of the king's horseman, who is duty-bound to accompany his deceased king to the afterlife. The play delves into themes of cultural identity, the clash of civilizations, and the consequences of interfering with sacred traditions.

"Forest of A Thousand Daemons" is a captivating exploration of Yoruba folklore and mythology, narrated through the adventures of Akara-ogun, the son of a renowned hunter. As he ventures into a mystical forest filled with supernatural creatures and deities, the protagonist encounters a myriad of fantastical beings and faces numerous challenges. The novel, rich in proverbs and poetic language, delves into themes of bravery, wisdom, and the supernatural, providing a vivid portrayal of traditional Nigerian culture and its storytelling traditions. This seminal work is celebrated for its pioneering use of indigenous African life and lore in a written narrative form.

"Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture" is a comprehensive exploration of the significance of play in human culture. The author argues that play is not just a childhood activity but a crucial component of societal development and cultural evolution. He delves into various aspects of culture such as law, war, knowledge, poetry, and philosophy, demonstrating how each has been influenced by elements of play. The author's thesis is that understanding the role of play in our culture is essential to understanding human nature itself.

The book is a phantasmagorical narrative that follows the harrowing journey of a young boy who, while fleeing from slave traders, becomes lost in a supernatural realm known as the Bush of Ghosts. This mystical forest is inhabited by a myriad of spirits and creatures drawn from Yoruba folklore. As the boy navigates through this eerie landscape, he encounters a series of ghostly domains, each ruled by its own peculiar entities. Throughout his surreal odyssey, which spans several years, he is subjected to bizarre and often terrifying experiences, all the while yearning for a return to his human family and the normal world. The story is a blend of traditional African folklore, myth, and the author's own rich imagination, offering a vivid exploration of the themes of survival, bravery, and the clash between the natural and supernatural worlds.

"The History of the Yorubas" is a comprehensive account of the rich cultural heritage and historical development of the Yoruba people, a major ethnic group in Nigeria. Written by Samuel Johnson, the book delves into the origins, traditions, and societal structures of the Yoruba, exploring their religious beliefs, political systems, and significant historical events. Through meticulous research and detailed storytelling, Johnson provides valuable insights into the Yoruba civilization, making this book an essential resource for anyone interested in African history and culture.