In this novel, the protagonist, a young, ordinary man, visits his cousin at a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Swiss Alps. Intending to stay for only a few weeks, he ends up remaining there for seven years, becoming a patient himself. The book explores his experiences and relationships with other patients and staff, delving into philosophical discussions on life, time, and the nature of disease. It also provides a vivid portrayal of the European society and intellectual life on the eve of World War I.

The novel explores the final hours of the Roman poet Virgil, who, while on his deathbed, contemplates the value and impact of his life's work, particularly his unfinished epic, the Aeneid. The narrative is a complex, stream-of-consciousness meditation on art, life, and death, with Virgil wrestling with his desire to burn his epic and the emperor's command to preserve it. The book delves into themes of the meaning of human existence, the role of art in society, and the clash between the individual's inner world and the external world.

"The Dwarf" is a dark, philosophical novel set in the Italian Renaissance, narrated by a malevolent court dwarf who serves a prince. The dwarf is a symbol for the darker side of humanity, embodying all the malice, deceit, and manipulation that one can possess. His actions and viewpoint provide a cynical commentary on human nature and the moral complexities of power, war, and love. The novel explores themes of good and evil, faith and doubt, and the destructive side of human nature.

"Petersburg" is a symbolist novel set in the heart of Russia during the 1905 Revolution. It follows the story of a young man who is given the task of assassinating his own father, a high-ranking government official, by a radical political group. The narrative is a complex mix of politics, family drama, and philosophical introspection, all set against the backdrop of a city in turmoil. The novel is renowned for its vivid and poetic descriptions of the city itself, making Petersburg as much a character in the story as the people who inhabit it.

"The Shipyard" is a novel set in a decaying Uruguayan port town, where the protagonist, a middle-aged man recently released from jail and suffering from tuberculosis, decides to take on the impossible task of reviving a defunct shipyard. The book explores themes of existentialism, disillusionment, and the struggle for meaning in a seemingly absurd world. Despite the bleak surroundings and circumstances, the protagonist remains hopeful and committed to his ambitions, providing a poignant commentary on the human spirit's resilience.

In "Death and the Dervish", the protagonist is a dervish in the 18th century Ottoman Empire, who embarks on a mission to find his imprisoned brother. As he navigates through the complex and corrupt bureaucracy, he grapples with questions of morality, justice, and the nature of power. The story explores themes of existentialism and the struggle for meaning in a world marked by suffering and injustice.