Nils Vik, an aging ferry driver, wakes certain that today will be his last. On his final route along the fjord, memories and figures from his past quietly reappear to accompany him as he revisits ordinary moments that shaped his life while he waits for his late wife, Marta.

Little Lazarus follows teenagers Francois and Eleanor, restless outsiders in the small Southern town of Harmony, whose lives are forever changed one drunken night. Their parallel stories are woven together with the long, traveling perspective of two clairvoyant tortoises—Lazarus and Little Lazarus—whose centuries-spanning journeys and varied caretakers (from a billionaire to generations of men and even a dog named Pony) bear witness to human love, loss, and longing. The novel is a lyrical, character-driven exploration of connection and memory.

Two siblings, Hansel and Gretel, become lost in a shadowy forest and must rely on courage and cleverness as they face eerie dangers and unsettling encounters in this illustrated reimagining of the classic Grimm tale.

Rebecca Romney explores the women writers who influenced Jane Austen—figures like Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Elizabeth Inchbald, Maria Edgeworth, and others—tracing their impact on Austen’s work and asking why their books fell out of favor. Through personal reading, searches for rare editions, and close connections between these authors’ novels and Austen’s, she reconstructs the bookshelf that shaped Austen and invites readers to rediscover overlooked women writers and reconsider how the literary canon is formed.

This collection of short stories delves into the surreal and the uncanny, exploring the hidden depths of human nature and the bizarre twists of fate that shape our lives. Each tale is a masterful blend of fantasy and reality, where the ordinary is tinged with the extraordinary, and the boundaries between the two blur seamlessly. The narratives are rich with vivid imagery and unexpected turns, inviting readers into a world where dreams and nightmares coexist, and where the familiar becomes strange. Through a tapestry of diverse characters and settings, the stories reveal the complexities of desire, fear, and the inexorable passage of time, leaving an indelible impression of wonder and introspection.

Set in a small shtetl in the 1930s, Sons and Daughters follows Rabbi Sholem Shachne Katzenellenbogen and his children as they confront the pressures of modernity, secularism, and Zionism. As family members pursue differing paths—business, nursing, philosophy, marriage, and emigration—the novel explores the tensions between religious duty and new freedoms and offers a compassionate portrait of a vanishing Jewish way of life.

This classic work of Heian-era literature offers a deeply personal glimpse into the life and inner world of a noblewoman in ancient Japan. Through a series of reflective diary entries, the narrator recounts her experiences from adolescence to adulthood, capturing the essence of her dreams, travels, and the profound longing for spiritual and literary fulfillment. Her narrative is interwoven with poetic expressions and vivid descriptions of the natural world, providing a rich tapestry of the cultural and emotional landscape of her time. The diary serves as both a personal memoir and a window into the broader societal norms and expectations of women in her era.

Set in the 18th century, this epistolary novel follows the journey of a young Incan princess who is taken from her homeland in Peru to France. Through a series of letters to her fiancé, she offers a poignant and insightful critique of European society, highlighting the cultural differences and the often hypocritical nature of European customs and values. Her observations reveal her struggle to reconcile her own identity with the foreign world she finds herself in, while also exploring themes of love, freedom, and the clash between indigenous and Western civilizations.

In this whimsical and introspective narrative, the protagonist embarks on a unique journey within the confines of his own room, transforming the mundane into a realm of discovery and reflection. Through vivid imagination and keen observation, he explores the familiar surroundings with fresh eyes, finding joy and meaning in the smallest details of his domestic environment. This exploration becomes a metaphor for the boundless nature of the human spirit, suggesting that adventure and enlightenment can be found within the ordinary, challenging the conventional notion of travel and exploration.

Set against the backdrop of late 18th-century France, this novel intricately weaves the tale of a young widow navigating the complexities of love, societal expectations, and personal freedom. The protagonist, a woman of intelligence and sensitivity, finds herself entangled in a web of romantic and political intrigue, challenging the rigid norms of her time. Through her journey, the narrative explores themes of individualism, the constraints of social conventions, and the quest for authenticity in a world rife with hypocrisy and moral dilemmas. The story is a poignant reflection on the struggles of women seeking autonomy in a patriarchal society.

Set in early 20th-century Tokyo, this poignant narrative explores the intersecting lives of a young woman named Otama and a university student, Okada. Otama, trapped in a loveless relationship with a wealthy moneylender, yearns for freedom and genuine affection. Her path crosses with Okada, who becomes an object of her silent admiration and hope. As the story unfolds, themes of societal constraints, unfulfilled desires, and the pursuit of personal liberation are intricately woven, reflecting the tensions between tradition and modernity in a rapidly changing Japan. The novel captures the essence of longing and the quiet struggles of individuals seeking their place in a world that often seems indifferent to their dreams.

Set in early 20th-century Japan, this poignant narrative delves into the life of a young artist consumed by his obsession with creating the perfect goldfish. Driven by a desire to capture beauty and transcend the mundane, his journey becomes a metaphor for the struggle between artistic ambition and personal fulfillment. As he navigates the complexities of love, societal expectations, and his own aspirations, the protagonist's relentless pursuit of perfection leads him to confront the boundaries of his own humanity, ultimately questioning the true cost of his artistic endeavors.

Set against the backdrop of 1930s Europe, this poignant narrative follows the life of a young girl, Kully, as she navigates the complexities of a transient existence with her parents, who are constantly on the move due to her father's political writings. Through Kully's innocent yet perceptive eyes, readers witness the challenges of living in exile, the strain on familial bonds, and the resilience required to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. The story beautifully captures the innocence of childhood amidst the harsh realities of a world on the brink of war, offering a unique perspective on the impact of political upheaval on personal lives.

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Chiapas, this novel delves into the tumultuous relationship between the indigenous Mayan people and the Spanish-descended landowners. Through a tapestry of interconnected stories, it explores themes of oppression, cultural conflict, and the struggle for justice. The narrative captures the simmering tensions and eventual uprising as the indigenous community fights against the systemic injustices and exploitation they face. With a rich portrayal of characters and a deep exploration of societal dynamics, the story offers a poignant reflection on the enduring impact of colonialism and the quest for dignity and equality.

Set in post-war Hungary, the narrative explores the complex dynamics between a recently widowed mother and her successful, yet emotionally distant daughter. As the mother moves to the city to live with her daughter, their contrasting lifestyles and values create a poignant tension, revealing the generational and ideological divides that have grown between them. Through a series of intimate and often painful interactions, the story delves into themes of love, loss, and the struggle for understanding and connection amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing society.

Set in 19th-century Japan, this novel intricately weaves the lives of Kae, a devoted wife, and her husband, Seishu Hanaoka, a pioneering surgeon. As Seishu dedicates himself to developing anesthesia for surgical procedures, Kae finds herself caught between her loyalty to her husband and the intense rivalry with her mother-in-law, Otsugi. The narrative explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the complex dynamics within familial relationships, all against the backdrop of a society on the cusp of modernization. Through Kae's eyes, readers witness the personal and professional struggles that accompany groundbreaking medical advancements.

Set against the backdrop of the Russian Caucasus, this collection of stories delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of morality, love, and existential angst. The narratives are woven with Chekhov's signature blend of realism and subtle irony, capturing the intricacies of human relationships and the societal norms that shape them. The characters, often caught in moral dilemmas, navigate their inner conflicts and societal expectations, revealing the profound truths about the human condition. Through vivid descriptions and poignant dialogues, the stories offer a window into the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

Set in early 20th-century Japan, this introspective novel explores the quiet life of a middle-aged couple, Sōsuke and Oyone, who live in a modest Tokyo neighborhood. Their seemingly tranquil existence is disrupted by financial struggles, societal expectations, and the haunting memories of past decisions. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship and the world around them, Sōsuke seeks solace in Zen Buddhism, hoping to find peace and understanding. The narrative delves into themes of love, regret, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing society.

Set in the early 20th century, this satirical novel follows the life of Hayri Irdal, a man who finds himself entangled in the absurdities of modernity and bureaucracy in a rapidly Westernizing society. Through his involvement with a peculiar institution designed to regulate time and synchronize clocks, the narrative explores themes of identity, tradition, and the clash between Eastern and Western values. With a blend of humor and poignancy, the story delves into the complexities of cultural transformation and the human desire for order amidst chaos.

Set in the 17th century, this poignant tale follows the journey of Jacob, a Jewish man who becomes enslaved after a brutal Cossack raid on his village. As he navigates the harsh realities of servitude in a remote Polish village, Jacob's resilience and faith are tested. Amidst his struggles, he forms a forbidden bond with Wanda, a Christian peasant woman, challenging societal norms and religious boundaries. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of cultural tensions, exploring themes of identity, freedom, and the transformative power of love in the face of adversity.

A sharp, witty novel that follows a circle of left-leaning New York intellectuals and artists as their lofty political ideals collide with private desires, domestic entanglements, and petty rivalries; through lively dialogue and incisive observation it exposes the hypocrisies, compromises, and ultimately human vulnerabilities of a bohemian community trying to reconcile theory with everyday life in the 1930s.

Set in the Midwest during World War II, Night Shift follows Sally Otis, a waitress who supports three children and a jobless younger sister while her bills mount. Her resolve begins to crumble when her swaggering older sister Petey Braun appears with furs, jewels, and tales of exotic trips. Petey, a woman who makes a career of men, takes a job at a glamorous, rowdy local nightclub, an event that will forever change the struggling Otis family.

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.

A good-natured but idle villager wanders into the Catskills to escape domestic nagging, drinks with mysterious mountain folk, and falls into a deep sleep that lasts about twenty years; when he awakens and returns to his hamlet he finds that everything has changed — his beard is long, his wife is gone, his children are grown, and the village has new laws and leaders after a revolution — leaving him bewildered by the passage of time and the transformations of society but ultimately becoming a beloved local storyteller about his strange disappearance and return.

Set in the closing months of World War I and its uneasy aftermath, the novel follows a charismatic, battle-hardened captain who leads a band of elite shock troops whose daring raids and brutal methods bring military success but leave them ill-equipped for peace; when the armistice arrives the men struggle with boredom, lingering violence and conflicting loyalties, and the captain’s fierce sense of honor collides with military law and the hypocrisy of those trying to restore order, exposing the moral ambiguity and human cost of modern warfare.