This novel is a poignant tale of fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, who navigate through their childhood in Kerala, India, amidst a backdrop of political unrest and societal norms. The story, set in 1969, explores the complexities of their family's history and the tragic events that shape their lives. Their mother's transgression of caste and societal norms by having an affair with an untouchable leads to disastrous consequences, revealing the oppressive nature of the caste system and the destructive power of forbidden love. The novel also delves into themes of postcolonial identity, gender roles, and the lingering effects of trauma.

Set in 1950s India, this epic novel follows the story of four families over a period of 18 months, focusing primarily on the young woman Lata and her mother's quest to find her a suitable husband. The narrative explores the political, social, and personal upheavals in a newly independent India, struggling with its own identity amidst the backdrop of a society grappling with religious tensions, land reforms, and the shaping of a modern democratic state. Lata's journey is an exploration of love, ambition, and the weight of familial duty.

"A Fine Balance" is a poignant narrative set in India during the 1970s, a time of political turmoil and upheaval. The plot revolves around four diverse characters - a widow, a young student, and two tailors - who are brought together by fate. Through their interconnected lives, the book explores themes of caste, poverty, political corruption, and the human spirit's resilience. It offers a profound exploration of the delicate balance that sustains life amidst adversity.

This novel centers around a 17-year-old girl living with her playboy father in the French Riviera. The pair lead a carefree, hedonistic lifestyle until the father decides to remarry, causing the protagonist to hatch a plan to prevent the marriage and return to their old way of life. The story explores themes of youth, love, and the struggle between desire and morality.

"The Sea of Fertility" is a four-part epic that follows the life of Shigekuni Honda, a man who believes in reincarnation. The series spans several decades, beginning in the early 20th century and ending in the 1970s, and explores Japanese history, culture, and spirituality. As Honda encounters individuals he believes to be the reincarnations of his childhood friend, he grapples with questions of identity, mortality, and the nature of the soul.

"Silence" is a historical novel set in the 17th century, which follows a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who travels to Japan to comfort local Christians and find his mentor, who is rumored to have renounced his faith. The protagonist experiences the brutal persecution of Christians by the Japanese government, and grapples with the silence of God in the face of suffering. The narrative explores themes of faith, doubt, cultural clash, and the human capacity for both cruelty and endurance.

"Clear Light of Day" is a novel set in Old Delhi, which explores the dynamics of the Das family. The story shifts back and forth in time, reflecting on the lives of siblings Bim, Raja, Baba, and Tara, and their relationships with each other and their aunts. The narrative delves into themes of memory, time, and decay, as well as the political upheaval of the Partition of India. The novel is a poignant study of family relationships, personal change, and loss.

"The Twilight Years" is a poignant story revolving around the life of a middle-aged woman who is burdened with the responsibility of taking care of her ageing and ailing father-in-law while trying to balance her work and personal life. The novel explores the themes of old age, family responsibilities, societal expectations, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. It offers a critical examination of the social, cultural, and personal issues related to aging and care-giving in post-war Japan.

The novel centers around an aging businessman who, upon hearing nightly sounds from the nearby mountain, begins to confront his own mortality and the complexities within his family. As he navigates his strained relationship with his wife, his adulterous son, and his daughter-in-law whom he harbors feelings for, he experiences a profound sense of solitude and existential dread. The narrative subtly explores themes of aging, alienation, and the ephemeral nature of life.

"The Bald Soprano" is a play that explores the absurdity of everyday life through a nonsensical narrative. It revolves around two middle-class English couples, the Smiths and the Martins, who engage in meaningless and repetitive conversations. The play is known for its unconventional structure, lack of plot, and the characters' surreal behavior, which are all used to satirize the banality and futility of routine and social norms. The title refers to a character who is never seen or mentioned again after the opening scene.

"The Guide" follows the life of Raju, a corrupt tour guide who, through a series of events, ends up in prison, and later becomes a spiritual guide. After his release from prison, Raju is mistaken for a holy man by villagers and gets involved in resolving a drought problem by fasting. The novel explores themes of life, death, and redemption, as well as the complex nature of human relationships and the power of belief.

"Forbidden Colours" is a deeply introspective novel that explores themes of beauty, youth, old age, love, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of post-war Japan. The story follows a young, beautiful man who is manipulated by an elderly writer to seek revenge on women. The young man's beauty becomes a weapon, while the old man's bitterness and jealousy drive the plot. The novel delves into the darker aspects of human nature and society's obsession with beauty, providing a stark commentary on the human condition.

"Marivaux: Three Plays" is a collection of three significant works by a renowned 18th-century French playwright. The plays explore themes of love, deception, and class in the context of French society of the time. The characters are often caught in complex situations that test their moral values and emotional resilience, providing readers with a profound understanding of human nature and societal norms. The plays are known for their sophisticated language, psychological depth, and intricate plot twists, making them a classic in French literature.

"Manon des Sources" is a poignant tale set in rural France. It is the story of a young woman, Manon, who lives in the French countryside and discovers that her family's water source has been blocked by two neighboring farmers. To avenge her father's death, which she believes was caused by this act, she decides to withhold the water source from the entire village, leading to a series of tragic events. The narrative explores themes of greed, revenge, and the profound connection between humans and nature.

The novel is a classic tale of first love between a young fisherman and a pearl diver in a remote Japanese coastal village. The story is set in the post-war era and it explores themes of love, tradition, and the power of nature. The fisherman's love for the pearl diver is tested by the village's gossip and the jealousy of a wealthy rival. Despite the challenges, their love remains pure and steadfast, mirroring the timeless and unchanging rhythm of the sea and the cycles of nature.

This novel follows the story of three lonely, dispossessed people in Calcutta, India: a troubled former French diplomat, a young French woman haunted by her past, and a poverty-stricken Indian woman. As their lives intersect, they grapple with desire, despair, and the struggle for redemption. The narrative is a complex exploration of colonialism, privilege, and the human condition, told through the lens of these three characters' tragic and intertwined lives.

The novel is a poignant exploration of the life of a Japanese woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who endures the pain and humiliation of serving her husband's needs by finding him concubines. As she navigates the complexities of her role within a rigidly patriarchal society, she faces the emotional turmoil of sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of family duty and social expectations. The narrative delves into themes of female subjugation, the intricacies of marital relationships, and the silent resilience of women, offering a powerful critique of the era's gender dynamics and the personal costs of adhering to tradition.

The novel explores the crumbling marriage of a Bengali woman and her Greek husband. The narrative alternates between Kolkata, India, and London, England, and spans over a decade, capturing the protagonist's emotional turmoil, her struggle to reconcile her Indian heritage with her Western lifestyle, and her eventual decision to leave her unfaithful husband. The novel is rich in poetic language and imagery, and it delves deep into themes of identity, cultural displacement, and the complexities of love and betrayal.

"Soundjata Ou L'épopée Mandingue" is a historical novel that tells the captivating story of Soundjata Keita, the legendary founder of the Mali Empire. Set in 13th-century West Africa, the book follows Soundjata's journey from a crippled and exiled prince to a powerful warrior king. Through battles, alliances, and encounters with mystical beings, Soundjata's determination and leadership skills are tested as he strives to unite the Mandinka people and reclaim his rightful throne. This epic tale explores themes of courage, destiny, and the enduring power of legends.

"Climbié" is a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the life of a young boy named Climbié, who is born into a world of poverty and oppression in colonial Africa. Through his eyes, the reader is exposed to the harsh realities of a society plagued by racism, exploitation, and inequality. As Climbié navigates his way through life, he encounters various individuals who shape his understanding of the world and ignite a desire for change within him. With vivid imagery and lyrical prose, the author masterfully depicts the struggles and triumphs of a young boy's journey towards liberation and self-discovery.

Betty Blue: The Story of a Passion is a tragic love story set in rural France. The novel follows the passionate and tumultuous relationship between a handyman and a free-spirited, mentally unstable woman named Betty. As their relationship deepens, Betty's mental health deteriorates, leading to a series of dramatic and heartbreaking events. The story is a raw and poignant exploration of love, mental illness, and the devastating consequences of passion.

"La Vie Et Demie" is a thought-provoking novel set in an unnamed African country, where an oppressive regime has seized power and implemented a bizarre policy of dividing its citizens into "halves" and "wholes." The story follows the life of a young girl named Sophie, who is born as a "half" and faces discrimination and hardship due to her status. Through Sophie's experiences, the author explores themes of identity, inequality, and the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism, offering a powerful critique of social and political systems.

"The Immortals" is a science fiction novel that explores the consequences of a groundbreaking discovery: a serum that grants eternal youth. As the serum becomes a coveted resource, it drastically alters society, leading to a chasm between the immortal elite and the aging population. The narrative delves into themes of power, inequality, and the ethical dilemmas of immortality, while following the lives of those who seek to control the serum and those who are affected by its existence. The story raises profound questions about the nature of life, death, and the true cost of eternal life.

"L'huile Sur Le Feu" is a French novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and generational conflict. The narrative centers around a bourgeois family whose members are embroiled in a series of misunderstandings and disputes. The protagonist, a young man, finds himself at odds with his conservative parents, whose values and expectations clash with his own desires and aspirations. As tensions rise, the family's interactions become increasingly volatile, resembling a pot of oil on fire, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation. The novel explores themes of rebellion, tradition, and the search for individual identity within the constraints of familial obligations.

The book is a harrowing autobiographical novel that delves into the experiences of a teenage girl confined in a psychiatric hospital. Through her eyes, readers are exposed to the stark and often disturbing realities of mental health treatment in the institution, as she grapples with her own mental illness. The narrative provides a raw and poignant exploration of the protagonist's struggle for identity and understanding amidst the challenges of her environment, shedding light on the often misunderstood world of psychiatric care and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.