The novel explores the life of two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, who are raised by a series of relatives in a small, secluded town in Idaho after their mother's suicide. The girls' lives are profoundly affected by the eccentric and transient lifestyle of their aunt Sylvie, who becomes their guardian. The narrative delves deeply into themes of family, identity, womanhood, and the impermanence of life, ultimately leading to a divide between the sisters as they choose different paths in life.

The book is a graphic novel that tells the story of Jimmy Corrigan, an awkward and lonely man in his mid-thirties. Jimmy has lived his entire life under the thumb of his overbearing mother. When he receives a letter from his estranged father, whom he has never met, he embarks on a journey that takes him from his home in Chicago to a small town in Michigan. Along the way, the narrative delves into the lives of his ancestors, revealing a history of loneliness and disappointment that seems to be repeating itself in Jimmy's own life.

The novel follows Olga, a woman in her late thirties, who is abruptly abandoned by her husband after fifteen years of marriage. Struggling to cope with the sudden betrayal and the collapse of her family life, Olga descends into a state of emotional turmoil and despair. As she grapples with her intense feelings of anger, jealousy, and confusion, she must also navigate the practical challenges of single parenthood. The story delves deeply into her psychological unraveling and eventual journey towards self-discovery and resilience.

A memory play set in St. Louis during the Great Depression, it follows the story of the Wingfield family. The protagonist, Tom, struggles with his role as the breadwinner for his overbearing mother, Amanda, and his physically and emotionally fragile sister, Laura, who spends her time with her collection of glass animals. The family's life takes a turn when Tom invites a gentleman caller home for dinner to meet Laura, causing tensions to rise and secrets to unfold.

Set in the marshes of North Carolina, the story follows Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself in the wild. As she grows up isolated from society, she becomes known as the "Marsh Girl" and develops a deep connection with the natural world around her. When a local man named Chase Andrews is found dead, Kya becomes the prime suspect in his murder, leading to a gripping tale of survival, love, and the search for belonging. The narrative weaves between Kya's past and the present investigation, revealing the complexities of human nature and the impact of isolation.

The novel tells the story of siblings Maeve and Danny Conroy, who are raised in a grandiose mansion known as the Dutch House in suburban Philadelphia. After their mother abandons the family and their father dies, they are exiled from the house by their stepmother, Andrea. The siblings' bond deepens as they navigate their lives, haunted by the loss of their home and the impact of their past. The narrative explores themes of memory, forgiveness, and the inescapable nature of family history, as Maeve and Danny grapple with their shared experiences and the legacy of the Dutch House.

"The Blind Side of the Heart" is a historical novel that explores the life of a German woman before, during, and after World War II. The story begins with her abandonment of her young son at a railway station, then flashes back to her own childhood, her experiences during the war, and her tumultuous relationships. The narrative provides a deep and unflinching look at the psychological effects of war and the struggle for survival, as well as the profound impact of trauma and loss.

The book follows the harrowing journey of two boys abandoned at birth in a Tokyo train station locker, who grow up in an orphanage together and form a deep bond. As they navigate a dystopian underworld filled with violence and decay, the boys, now teenagers, embark on a quest for revenge against the mothers who left them and the society that neglected them. Their search for identity and belonging takes them through a surreal landscape of urban chaos, where their shared trauma and desperation for meaning lead them down a destructive path, challenging the reader with themes of abandonment, survival, and the human capacity for both love and brutality.

The novel follows the tumultuous life of Astrid Magnussen, a young girl who is placed in a series of foster homes after her mother, Ingrid, is imprisoned for murder. As Astrid navigates the challenges of her ever-changing environments, she grapples with issues of identity, resilience, and survival. Each foster home presents its own set of trials and lessons, shaping Astrid's journey toward self-discovery and independence. The story delves deeply into themes of maternal influence, abandonment, and the quest for personal strength amidst adversity.

A boy recalls his conflicted feelings toward his father, a charismatic pilot who travels to the stars for a living: the wonder and pride of his homecomings, the loneliness his long absences cause the family, and his mother’s growing resentment. The father is irresistibly drawn to space and cannot give up the dangerous, alluring work, and in the end his passion for the heavens forces him to abandon home and family and leads to a tragic final voyage that leaves the narrator to grapple with loss and the tension between love and vocation.

"Charlotte Temple" is a tragic tale of seduction and betrayal that follows the young and naive Charlotte Temple, who is lured away from her boarding school by the charming British officer, John Montraville. Montraville, who initially intends to marry Charlotte, is persuaded by his companion to abandon her. Charlotte, pregnant and deserted, faces the harsh realities of being alone in America without family or friends, ultimately leading to her downfall and untimely death. The novel serves as a moralistic tale, warning against the dangers of falling prey to flattery and false promises, and emphasizes the importance of parental guidance and moral integrity.