A young orphan boy, living with his cruel older sister and her kind blacksmith husband, has an encounter with an escaped convict that changes his life. Later, he becomes the protégé of a wealthy but reclusive woman and falls in love with her adopted daughter. He then learns that an anonymous benefactor has left him a fortune, leading him to believe that his benefactor is the reclusive woman and that she intends for him to marry her adopted daughter. He moves to London to become a gentleman, but his great expectations are ultimately shattered when he learns the true identity of his benefactor and the reality of his love interest.

Set in the summer of 1900, the novel follows a young boy who visits a friend's family estate and becomes an unwitting messenger in an illicit affair between his friend's older sister and a local farmer. As the boy navigates the complexities of the adult world and the rigid class system of the time, he experiences a loss of innocence that has lasting effects on his life. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, memory, and the corrupting power of class and wealth.

Set in 1953, during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the novel explores the life of a highly intelligent young woman, Frederica Potter, who aspires to attend the University of Cambridge. The narrative follows her struggles with the societal norms of post-war England, her family's expectations, and her own intellectual and emotional growth. Interwoven with Frederica's story is a parallel narrative about a theatrical production celebrating the coronation, which serves as a metaphor for the cultural and social changes occurring in England at the time.

"The Voyage Out" is a novel that follows the journey of a young woman who embarks on a sea voyage to South America, where she experiences a series of personal and philosophical awakenings. While on the trip, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique perspectives and experiences. Through these interactions, she begins to question the societal norms and expectations that have shaped her life, leading to a profound transformation of her identity and understanding of the world.