In this novel, the protagonist, a young, ordinary man, visits his cousin at a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Swiss Alps. Intending to stay for only a few weeks, he ends up remaining there for seven years, becoming a patient himself. The book explores his experiences and relationships with other patients and staff, delving into philosophical discussions on life, time, and the nature of disease. It also provides a vivid portrayal of the European society and intellectual life on the eve of World War I.

The novel presents a poignant exploration of a man's struggle with his dual nature. The protagonist, a middle-aged man, finds himself torn between his humanistic, intellectual tendencies and his more primitive, wolf-like instincts. As he navigates his way through the surreal and sometimes hallucinatory world, he encounters various characters who challenge his views and push him towards self-discovery and transformation. The narrative delves into themes of alienation, the subconscious mind, and the search for meaning in life.

The novel is set in 1930s Edinburgh and follows the story of six girls under the tutelage of an unconventional teacher, Miss Jean Brodie. Miss Brodie, in her prime, takes it upon herself to educate the girls about life, love, politics, and art, often disregarding the traditional curriculum. The narrative explores the influence of Miss Brodie on the girls, the consequences of her nonconformist teachings, and the ultimate betrayal that leads to her downfall.

"Confessions of Zeno" is a satirical, semi-autobiographical novel that follows the life of Zeno Cosini, a neurotic Italian businessman, as he tries to quit smoking. The book is presented as a diary, written at the suggestion of Zeno's psychoanalyst, and it details Zeno's thoughts on his health, his family, his business ventures, and his infatuation with a beautiful woman. Throughout the story, Zeno's attempts to quit smoking serve as a metaphor for his struggles with his personal weaknesses and his quest for self-understanding.

Set in 1920s Berlin, the book follows the life of Franz Biberkopf, a man recently released from prison who is trying to make an honest life for himself. However, he is drawn back into the criminal underworld due to circumstances and the influence of his acquaintance, Reinhold. The book is a vivid portrayal of city life in Weimar-era Germany, exploring themes of poverty, crime, redemption and the struggle to maintain one's morality amidst chaos and corruption.

The novel follows a young officer who spends his entire life waiting for an attack that never comes at a remote desert outpost. The protagonist's life is consumed by the monotonous routine and the fear of the unknown, reflecting on the human condition and the dread of the passage of time. The desert symbolizes the emptiness and futility of life, while the constant anticipation of a foreign invasion that never happens represents the anxiety and fear of death.

Set in 18th century Scotland, the novel explores the psychological downfall of a deeply religious man who believes he is predestined for salvation and thus justified in committing a series of murders. He is driven to this path of self-destruction by a mysterious stranger who may be either a devilish tempter or a manifestation of his own deranged mind. The book serves as a critique of religious fanaticism and a chilling exploration of the dark side of human nature.

"Death in Venice" is a novella that explores the life of Gustav von Aschenbach, a famous writer in his early fifties who embarks on a journey to Venice after experiencing a creative block. In Venice, he becomes obsessed with a beautiful Polish boy named Tadzio, whom he sees at the hotel where he is staying. Aschenbach's fascination with Tadzio becomes a metaphor for his own internal struggle with his repressed passions and his need for aesthetic beauty. The story culminates in Aschenbach's death as a cholera epidemic sweeps through Venice. His demise symbolizes the destructive power of his unfulfilled longing and his ultimate surrender to his repressed desires.

This novel explores the life of a 17-year-old girl who is married off to a much older man, a high-ranking official, for the sake of social and financial stability. Despite her husband's devotion, she embarks on a passionate, but doomed affair with a charming, yet manipulative, major. The affair ends disastrously, leading to her social ostracization and eventual descent into loneliness and despair. The book serves as a critique of the rigid Prussian society of the late 19th century.

"The Reader" is a poignant narrative centered around a young German boy's complex relationship with an older woman, who later turns out to be a former Auschwitz guard. Their relationship begins with her teaching him to read, but takes a drastic turn when she disappears, only to reemerge on trial for war crimes. The novel explores themes of guilt, shame, and redemption, as the boy, now a law student, grapples with his feelings for a woman he once loved, but whose past actions he cannot reconcile with.

This novel is a gritty, raw portrayal of a group of heroin addicts living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The narrative is non-linear and told from multiple perspectives, providing a deep dive into the minds and lives of these characters. The story explores themes of poverty, addiction, friendship, and the struggle to escape one's circumstances, all set against the backdrop of a bleak urban landscape. It is known for its strong Scottish dialect, graphic content, and dark humor.

"The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum" is a story about a young woman who becomes the target of a media smear campaign after she falls in love with a man who is suspected of being a political radical. The media's relentless invasion of her privacy and the negative portrayal of her character lead to tragic consequences, highlighting the destructive power of sensationalist journalism. The novel is also a critique of the political climate in Germany during the 1970s.

The novel is a stream-of-consciousness narrative told from the perspective of Sammy, a shoplifter and ex-convict from Glasgow who wakes up in an alley after a two-day drinking binge to find he is completely blind. As Sammy struggles to navigate his new reality, he contends with bureaucratic systems, confronts his past, and grapples with his relationships, all while trying to understand and adjust to his sudden loss of sight. The story is a gritty exploration of working-class life, the human condition, and the nature of reality.

A Ghost at Noon is a tale of a troubled marriage set against the backdrop of Rome and Capri. The story follows a screenplay writer who is struggling with his failing marriage and the production of his new film. As his wife becomes infatuated with their young guide in Capri, the writer becomes increasingly paranoid and jealous, ultimately leading to the collapse of their relationship. The narrative parallels the story of Homer's Odyssey, which the protagonist is adapting for the screen, adding another layer of complexity to the story.

This novel explores the dynamics of an upper-middle-class Italian family facing financial ruin. The story focuses on the emotional indifference and moral decay among family members, as they engage in affairs and manipulative behavior to secure their social status. As the family's fortunes dwindle, their lack of empathy and moral integrity becomes increasingly evident, offering a critique of bourgeois values and the corrosive effects of apathy and materialism.

The book tells the story of a man who has his identity shattered when his wife casually notes that his nose tilts to the right, something he had never noticed before. This seemingly insignificant comment leads him into an obsessive quest to understand how he is perceived by others, and he gradually loses his sense of self as he fragments into a multitude of characters. The protagonist's existential crisis intensifies as he realizes that everyone he meets perceives him differently, leading him to question his own existence and ultimately, his sanity.

"Senilità" is a psychological novel that follows the life of a middle-aged man, Emilio Brentani, who falls in love with a younger woman, Angiolina, who manipulates and betrays him. Emilio's obsession with Angiolina leads him into a downward spiral of self-destruction, as he grapples with feelings of jealousy, paranoia, and self-loathing. The novel explores themes of aging, loneliness, and the human condition in modern society.

The novel follows the life of a young man, Emil Sinclair, from childhood to adulthood, as he navigates the duality of his nature and the societal expectations of his time. He is influenced by a charismatic and intellectual peer, Max Demian, who introduces him to the concept of the world not as a dichotomy of good and evil, but as a unified whole. This leads Sinclair on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the subconscious. The narrative is heavily influenced by the philosophies of Carl Jung and the Gnostic tradition.

The novel explores the complex friendship between two diametrically opposed characters: one, a cerebral and ascetic monk dedicated to a life of contemplation and spiritual discipline, and the other, a passionate and sensual artist driven by the pursuit of beauty and worldly experiences. Set against the backdrop of medieval Europe, the story delves into themes of duality, the search for meaning, and the reconciliation of the spiritual with the carnal. As the two men journey through their lives, their intertwined paths lead them to profound insights about the nature of human existence, creativity, and the eternal struggle between the intellect and the senses.

The novel is a social critique of bourgeois society in Germany during the Wilhelmine period, as seen through the life of an authoritarian and morally rigid school teacher. The protagonist becomes infatuated with a cabaret dancer, leading him to abandon his duties and societal norms, and eventually descend into madness. The book explores themes of obsession, social class, and the destructive power of repressed desire.

"A Violent Life" explores the journey of a young man from the slums of Rome who becomes entangled in the world of crime. As he navigates through this violent and chaotic life, he is confronted with the harsh realities of poverty, injustice, and the struggle for survival. The narrative provides a stark and unflinching examination of the underbelly of Italian society, revealing the deep-seated corruption and systemic inequality that pervades it. The protagonist's life is a testament to the destructive cycle of violence and despair that traps the marginalized and underprivileged.

"Silk" is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a 19th-century French silkworm merchant who travels to Japan for business. During his travels, he becomes enamored with a mysterious woman. His unrequited love for her haunts him for the rest of his life, even as he returns to France and continues his life there. The novel explores themes of love, longing, and the profound impact that brief encounters can have on one's life.

This novel delves into the life of Giorgio Aurispa, a man who, amidst the decadence of Italian society, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and existential questioning. Through his relationships, particularly with the enigmatic Ippolita Sanzio, and his experiences across various European locales, Giorgio confronts themes of love, death, and the search for meaning. The narrative, rich with symbolic imagery and poetic language, explores the depths of human emotion and the inevitable confrontation with mortality, culminating in a profound exploration of the human condition and the pervasive sense of disillusionment that characterized the turn of the century.

"The Tales of Hoffmann" is a collection of fantastical and eerie stories that delve into the supernatural and the bizarre. The narratives often feature the author's alter ego, a character named Hoffmann, who encounters a variety of strange and otherworldly phenomena. The stories blend elements of horror, romance, and satire, exploring the depths of human emotion and the dark corners of the imagination. Through a series of gripping tales, the book examines the interplay between reality and illusion, the rational and the irrational, and the mundane and the miraculous, leaving readers to ponder the fine line that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.

"Disobedience" is a novel about a young man, Luca, who refuses to serve in the Italian army during World War II. The narrative explores his experiences as he hides from the authorities, the moral dilemmas he faces, his sexual awakening, and his relationship with his mother. His refusal to obey the military draft serves as a symbol of his rebellion against societal norms and expectations, as well as his search for personal identity and freedom.