Set in a dystopian future, the novel presents a society under the total control of a totalitarian regime, led by the omnipresent Big Brother. The protagonist, a low-ranking member of 'the Party', begins to question the regime and falls in love with a woman, an act of rebellion in a world where independent thought, dissent, and love are prohibited. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth.

The narrative follows a man who, after the death of his mother, falls into a routine of indifference and emotional detachment, leading him to commit an act of violence on a sun-drenched beach. His subsequent trial becomes less about the act itself and more about his inability to conform to societal norms and expectations, ultimately exploring themes of existentialism, absurdism, and the human condition.

A young prince from a tiny asteroid embarks on a journey across the universe, visiting various planets and meeting their strange inhabitants. Along the way, he learns about the follies and absurdities of the adult world, the nature of friendship, and the importance of retaining a childlike wonder and curiosity. His journey eventually leads him to Earth, where he befriends a fox and learns about love and loss before finally returning to his asteroid.

"Animal Farm" is a satirical fable set on a farm where the animals revolt, overthrow their human farmer, and take over the running of the farm for themselves. The story is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin, and the tale is told by the animals that inhabit the farm, primarily pigs who become the ruling class. Despite their initial attempts at creating an equal society, corruption and power ultimately lead to a regime as oppressive as the one they overthrew.

Set in Mexico on the Day of the Dead in 1938, the novel follows the last day in the life of Geoffrey Firmin, a British consul with a severe alcohol addiction. Through his interactions with his estranged wife and half-brother, the book explores themes of despair, betrayal, and the destructive power of addiction, against the backdrop of political and social unrest. The impending eruption of the nearby volcano serves as a metaphor for Firmin's deteriorating mental state and the looming world war.

The novel is set in the Algerian city of Oran during the 1940s, where a deadly plague sweeps through, causing the city to be quarantined. The story is told through the eyes of a doctor who witnesses the horror and suffering caused by the disease. The narrative explores themes of human resilience, solidarity, and the struggle against the absurdities of life. It also examines how individuals and society respond to death and disease, creating a profound meditation on the nature of existence and human endurance.

The novel is a nostalgic story about the narrator's involvement with the Flyte family, British aristocrats living in a grand mansion called Brideshead. The story explores themes of faith, love, and the decline of the British aristocracy, primarily through the narrator's relationships with the family's Catholic faith and his complicated friendship with the family's son and his love for the daughter. The novel is set in the backdrop of the time period between the two World Wars.

"Darkness at Noon" is a novel set during the Stalinist purges in Russia in the 1930s. The story follows an old Bolshevik, who is imprisoned and psychologically tortured by the government he helped create. As he reflects on his life and the choices he made, he grapples with the betrayal of his revolutionary ideals and the corruption of the Soviet regime. The narrative provides a profound exploration of the moral danger inherent in a system that is willing to sacrifice the individual for the supposed collective good.

The novel is set during the Mexican Revolution, focusing on a whisky priest who is on the run from the authorities who have outlawed Catholicism. The priest, who is flawed and sinful, travels across the country to evade capture, minister to the faithful, and find a way to repent for his sins. Despite his moral failings, the priest's compassion and commitment to his faith make him a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of oppression. The book explores themes of faith, redemption, and the human struggle with sin.

"I Capture the Castle" is a coming-of-age novel that tells the story of 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her eccentric family living in a dilapidated English castle during the 1930s. Cassandra's father is a reclusive writer suffering from writer's block and her stepmother is a bohemian artist. The family's life changes dramatically when two American brothers inherit the estate. The novel, written in diary format, explores themes of love, poverty, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

The novel is a gothic fantasy set in the bizarre and intricate world of Gormenghast Castle, home to the ancient and eccentric Groan family. The story begins with the birth of Titus Groan, the seventy-seventh Earl, who stands to inherit the castle and its strange traditions. The narrative follows the castle's eccentric characters and their bizarre rituals, including the ambitious kitchen boy, Steerpike, who seeks to manipulate the castle's traditions for his own gain. It's a dark and surreal exploration of ritual, power, and madness.

"Loving" is a novel set in an Irish castle during World War II, focusing on the lives of the servants who work there. The narrative provides a detailed and intimate exploration of the relationships, gossip, and everyday routines of the domestic staff, while the war remains a distant threat. The book is known for its unique use of language and dialogue, as well as its exploration of class dynamics.

The novel follows the story of a British colonial police officer stationed in Sierra Leone during World War II. He is an honest and diligent man but finds himself in a moral crisis when he is torn between his duty and his love for another woman. He is caught in a spiral of deceit, corruption, and betrayal that leads to his tragic end. The narrative delves into themes of guilt, faith, betrayal, and moral paradoxes.

"The Case of Comrade Tulayev" is a political novel set in the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. The story begins with the murder of a high-ranking Soviet official, Comrade Tulayev, which sets off a series of events leading to the arrest and execution of innocent people. It provides an in-depth exploration of the paranoia, fear, and injustice that characterized Stalin's regime, showing the human cost of political purges and the absurdity of the bureaucratic system.

"The Razor's Edge" is a novel that explores the life of a young American, Larry Darrell, who rejects conventional society to search for spiritual enlightenment in the aftermath of World War I. His journey takes him from Illinois to Paris, and eventually to India. The story is narrated by an unnamed author who encounters Larry at various stages of his life, and through his eyes, we see Larry's transformation and the impact it has on the people around him. The novel is a profound exploration of self-discovery, spirituality, and the quest for meaning.

"The Bridge on the Drina" is a historical novel that spans four centuries, highlighting the lives and experiences of the inhabitants of a small town in Bosnia. The narrative revolves around a stone bridge, which serves as a symbol of unity and continuity. The book explores the impact of the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the onset of World War I on the multicultural community living in the town, capturing the changes, conflicts, and resilience of the people and their cultures.

The novel follows the life of Gulley Jimson, a boisterous, eccentric, and impoverished painter in London who is constantly in search of the perfect canvas to express his artistic vision. Despite his numerous struggles with society's norms, financial difficulties, and his own physical health, Jimson remains unflinchingly dedicated to his craft. His relentless pursuit of artistic truth and beauty, often at the expense of personal relationships and societal expectations, paints a vivid picture of the passionate, self-destructive artist archetype.

"Froth on the Daydream" is a tragic love story set in a surreal world. The protagonist is a wealthy young man who marries a woman he loves deeply. However, their bliss is short-lived when she develops a strange illness - a water lily growing in her lung. As her health deteriorates, so does their wealth and social standing, leading to a bleak and heartbreaking end. This novel is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the harsh realities of life, all set within a fantastical and dreamlike landscape.

Set in the 1930s, the novel revolves around the lives of British aristocracy, focusing on the love lives of young women in high society. The protagonist's cousin, Polly, shocks her family by choosing to marry a middle-aged, socially inferior man instead of a wealthy aristocrat. Meanwhile, the protagonist herself navigates her own romantic relationships amidst a backdrop of lavish parties, eccentric relatives, and societal expectations. The story offers a humorous and satirical look at the British upper class, highlighting their idiosyncrasies and the pressures they face.

Set in post-World War II Vienna, the story revolves around an American writer who arrives in the city to discover that his childhood friend, whom he had planned to meet, has recently died in a mysterious accident. As he delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding his friend's death, he uncovers a web of intrigue involving black market dealings, corrupt officials, and a complex moral landscape. The writer's investigation leads him to question loyalty, morality, and the ambiguous nature of friendship in a city divided by occupation and rife with espionage and criminality.

In this classic British detective novel, a poet on holiday in Oxford stumbles upon a woman's body in a toyshop at night, only to find the shop has vanished by morning. Teaming up with an eccentric literature professor, the poet embarks on a whimsical and cerebral quest to solve the mystery, navigating a labyrinth of literary references, quirky characters, and puzzling clues. The story combines elements of farce and traditional whodunit, leading to a climactic chase and an unexpected twist, all set against the backdrop of the historic university town.

The Pursuit of Love is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the romantic escapades of the eccentric and aristocratic Radlett family, primarily through the eyes of cousin Fanny. The story centers on Linda, the most beautiful and free-spirited of the Radlett daughters, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through her various relationships and marriages. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, and the societal expectations of women during the interwar period in England.

The novel is a dark, poetic exploration of the criminal underworld in Paris, focusing on the life and fantasies of a homosexual prostitute and thief. The protagonist, while in prison, creates an elaborate fantasy world populated by outcasts, convicts, and murderers, including a transgender character who becomes his ideal of beauty and purity. The narrative is filled with graphic depictions of sex and violence, and explores themes of transgression, identity, and the transformative power of the imagination.

Set in London during World War II, "The Heat of the Day" is a story about a love triangle between Stella Rodney, her lover Robert Kelway, and Harrison, a man who claims to be an intelligence agent. Harrison informs Stella that Robert is selling secrets to the enemy, and in exchange for his silence, he wants Stella all to himself. The novel explores themes of trust, deceit, and the complexities of love against the backdrop of a city under siege.

Set in England during World War II, the novel follows a middle-aged woman living in a boarding house, who spends her time navigating the petty squabbles and politics of her fellow residents. Her life takes a turn when she becomes entangled in a love triangle with a charming but manipulative American lieutenant and a young German woman. The book explores themes of loneliness, manipulation, and the struggle for personal freedom in a time of national crisis.