The novel is set in Nigeria during the Biafran War, exploring the impact of the conflict on the lives of its characters. The story is told from the perspective of three characters: a young houseboy, a radical university professor, and the professor's wealthy lover. The narrative delves into themes of love, race, and war, offering a vivid depiction of the horrors of conflict and the resilience of the human spirit.

"Nervous Conditions" is a semi-autobiographical novel set in colonial Rhodesia in the 1960s. The story follows a young girl from a poor family who gets the opportunity to receive an education after her brother's death. Despite the struggles she faces - including culture shock, racism, and the inherent sexism in both her native and adopted cultures - she perseveres and manages to succeed. The novel explores themes of race, colonialism, and gender through the lens of a young African woman's coming-of-age story.

This novel is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear, set on a 1000-acre farm in Iowa. The story revolves around three daughters whose father decides to divide his land among them. The eldest two daughters are compliant with their father's decision, but the youngest daughter objects, leading to familial discord. The novel delves into themes of power, jealousy, and the dark secrets that can tear a family apart.

This novel is a powerful story set against the backdrop of tumultuous events in Afghanistan, from the fall of the monarchy through the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban regime. It follows the life of a wealthy boy and his best friend, a servant's son, their shared love for kite flying, and a terrible incident that tears their lives apart. The narrative explores themes of guilt, betrayal and redemption as the protagonist, now an adult living in America, is called back to his war-torn homeland to right the wrongs of his past.

Set in 1950s Knoxville, Tennessee, the novel follows the life of a man who has renounced his former existence of privilege to live among society's outcasts on the river. He is an educated man, who has chosen a life of fishing and surviving on the fringes of society. The narrative is filled with his encounters with various characters from the underbelly of the city, including criminals, prostitutes, and other outcasts. Despite his attempts to isolate himself, he finds himself drawn into the problems and tragedies of those around him.

"The Bone People" is a complex, emotional novel that explores the lives of three characters - a reclusive artist, a young mute boy, and his adoptive father - in New Zealand. The narrative delves into themes such as Maori culture, love, violence, and isolation while showcasing the struggle of these individuals as they try to form a family unit despite their personal traumas and societal pressures. The book's unique blend of prose and poetry, along with its blend of English and Maori language, adds to its depth and richness.

The book is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of a Japanese-Canadian woman named Naomi, who reflects on her experiences during World War II. As a child, Naomi was forced into internment along with thousands of other Japanese-Canadians, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The narrative explores the themes of racism, identity, silence, and the power of memory, as Naomi grapples with the trauma of her past and the impact of her cultural heritage on her present life.

This novel is a historical fiction that provides a rich exploration of life in Japan before World War II, through the eyes of a young girl sold into the geisha lifestyle. The protagonist is trained in the arts of entertaining wealthy and powerful men, navigating a world of jealousy, love, and social politics. Her journey is one of resilience and survival as she strives to find personal happiness in a society that views her as a commodity.

Set in the 1980s during the era of Margaret Thatcher's conservative government in Britain, this novel follows the life of a young gay man named Nick Guest. Coming from a middle-class background, he moves into the home of his wealthy friend's family and becomes infatuated with the opulence and power of the upper class. As he navigates his way through this new world, he also explores his sexuality, all while dealing with the societal and political implications of the AIDS crisis.

The novel centers around the coming-of-age story of the protagonist, Annie John, in Antigua. Throughout her childhood and adolescence, she grapples with her complex relationship with her mother, her self-identity, and the colonial influence of the British on her island home. As she matures, her once close bond with her mother becomes strained, and she struggles with feelings of separation and independence. The narrative explores themes of colonialism, gender, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

"So Long a Letter" is an epistolary novel that explores the life of a recently widowed woman in Senegal. Throughout the story, she reflects on her life, her marriage, her husband's second, younger wife, and the status of women in Senegalese society. The book delves into themes of polygamy, friendship, and the struggle for women's rights in a predominantly patriarchal society. It is a poignant examination of the personal and cultural conflicts faced by women in post-colonial Africa.

The novel tells the story of Gogol Ganguli, a second-generation Indian-American, who struggles with his unique name and his dual cultural identity. Born to immigrant parents from Kolkata, India, Gogol is named after the famous Russian author, Nikolai Gogol, a decision that shapes his life in unexpected ways. As he grows up, he finds himself torn between his parents' traditional Indian values and his desire to fit into mainstream American society. This internal conflict is further complicated by his relationships with women of different cultural backgrounds. The book explores themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and the immigrant experience.

The story revolves around a woman who returns to her southern hometown to care for her ailing father. After his death, she is confronted by the harsh realities of her past and the complexities of her present. She navigates through the difficult dynamics of her family, her father's young second wife, and the superficial social circle of her community, all while grappling with her own grief. The novel explores themes of memory, loss, and the often complicated relationships within families.

The novel is a darkly comic, murder mystery set in London at the end of the 20th century. The story follows three main characters: a terminally ill American writer, a petty criminal, and a beautiful but doomed woman who predicts her own murder but not the murderer. The narrative is filled with satirical social commentary, exploring themes of love, lust, greed, and deception.

This novel tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch—saint and obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in the town of St. Cloud's, Maine, and a man of rare compassion and an addiction to ether. Dr. Larch loves all his orphans, especially Homer Wells, who is never adopted and becomes his invaluable apprentice. As Homer comes of age, he must leave the only home he's ever known to explore the world outside, a world filled with temptations and moral dilemmas, from the struggle over abortion to the question of what constitutes a family.

"The Man with the Golden Arm" is a novel that tells the story of Frankie Machine, a talented card dealer and drummer in post-World War II Chicago who becomes addicted to morphine. The narrative vividly portrays his descent into addiction and his struggles with poverty and crime, while also exploring themes of despair, corruption, and redemption. The book is notable for its gritty depiction of life in the urban underbelly and its nuanced characterizations.

"Memed, My Hawk" is a novel set in the harsh and lawless rural Turkey of the 1920s. It follows the story of a young boy, Memed, who becomes an outlaw and a local hero after standing up to the corrupt authorities and feudal landlords who oppress his village. The novel explores themes of love, revenge, and social justice, and is a powerful indictment of the social and economic conditions of rural Turkey in the early 20th century.

"The Women's Room" is a groundbreaking novel that explores the journey of a suburban housewife from a traditional, oppressive marriage to an awakening of self-discovery and feminism. After her divorce, the protagonist goes back to school, where she encounters a group of independent, intellectually stimulating women who challenge the societal norms of the time. The novel provides a stark portrayal of the struggles faced by women in the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting the need for gender equality and women's rights.

The novel follows the lives of three young women in New York City from 1945 to 1965 as they navigate the ruthless world of show business and the cost of fame. Each woman becomes dependent on "dolls," a slang term for pills, as they deal with the pressures of their careers, personal lives, and societal expectations. The narrative explores themes of ambition, addiction, and the destructive side of fame, providing a gritty, unflinching look at the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry.

This novel is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences in 1930s Berlin. The protagonist, a young Englishman, observes and documents the lives of a wide range of characters, from the working class to the upper class, all against the backdrop of the rising Nazi regime. The book offers a vivid and poignant portrayal of Berlin and its inhabitants during a time of great political and social upheaval.

The novel follows the life of Daisy Goodwill Flett, a seemingly ordinary woman, from her birth in Canada in 1905 to her death. It explores her experiences as a mother, wife, and widow, as well as her work as a gardener and her later years as a columnist. The book is unique in that it is written in a variety of styles including letters, diary entries, and third-person narrative, and it explores themes of identity, love, and the often overlooked lives of women.

"The Piano Teacher" is a dark exploration of power dynamics, sexuality, and repression. The story revolves around a piano teacher at a prestigious music school in Vienna who lives with her overbearing mother in a state of emotional and sexual repression. Her life takes a turn when she becomes sexually involved with a young, self-assured student. The relationship, marked by sadomasochistic games and emotional manipulation, spirals out of control, leading to a tragic end. The book is a profound critique of bourgeois values and the oppressive structures of society.

This novel focuses on the life of an elderly widow who moves into a London residential hotel, the Claremont, where she befriends the other elderly residents. She forms an unlikely friendship with a young writer, who she passes off as her grandson to the other residents. The story explores themes of aging, loneliness, and the complexities of human relationships.

The book is a poignant narrative that weaves together the lives of seven African American women living in a dilapidated urban housing development. Through a series of interconnected stories, it explores the struggles, hopes, and bonds of these women as they confront issues of racism, poverty, and sexism. The narrative delves into each woman's personal journey, revealing the resilience and solidarity that emerge within this close-knit community as they navigate the challenges of life in an environment that seems designed to suppress their voices and dreams.

This novel tells the story of two friends, Elena and Lila, growing up in a poor neighborhood in Naples, Italy in the 1950s. Their intense, complicated friendship is marked by competition, mutual respect, and deep affection. As they navigate the challenges of adolescence, including family drama, academic struggles, and romantic entanglements, their bond is tested and transformed. The narrative explores themes of female friendship, social class, education, and the struggle for personal autonomy in a patriarchal society.