Set in Dublin, the novel follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom, an advertising salesman, as he navigates the city. The narrative, heavily influenced by Homer's Odyssey, explores themes of identity, heroism, and the complexities of everyday life. It is renowned for its stream-of-consciousness style and complex structure, making it a challenging but rewarding read.

This novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a young man's intellectual and artistic development in late 19th-century Ireland. The protagonist struggles with issues of identity, faith, and nationality, ultimately rejecting the traditional values of his Catholic upbringing to pursue his own path as an artist. The book is renowned for its innovative narrative style and its exploration of themes such as individuality, freedom, and the nature of art.

"The Man Without Qualities" is a satirical novel set in Vienna during the last days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It follows the life of Ulrich, a thirty-two-year-old mathematician, who is in search of a sense of life and reality but is caught up in the societal changes and political chaos of his time. The book explores themes of existentialism, morality, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

The novel explores the final hours of the Roman poet Virgil, who, while on his deathbed, contemplates the value and impact of his life's work, particularly his unfinished epic, the Aeneid. The narrative is a complex, stream-of-consciousness meditation on art, life, and death, with Virgil wrestling with his desire to burn his epic and the emperor's command to preserve it. The book delves into themes of the meaning of human existence, the role of art in society, and the clash between the individual's inner world and the external world.

"Dubliners" is a collection of 15 short stories that portray the life of the Irish middle class in the early 20th century. Each story depicts an aspect of everyday life in Dublin, capturing the complexities of human experiences and emotions. The stories range from childhood to adulthood, reflecting on themes such as the paralysis of routine, the desire for escape, and the failure of both. The book is renowned for its vivid characterization and its exploration of the subtleties of the human condition.

"The Radetzky March" is a historical novel that explores the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the experiences of the Trotta family, across three generations. The narrative begins with Lieutenant Trotta, who saves the life of the Emperor during the Battle of Solferino, and follows his descendants as they navigate the complexities of life in the empire. The novel delves into themes of duty, honor, and the inevitability of change, painting a vivid picture of a society in decline.

The novel explores the life of the titular character, a disaffected and detached man living in London who prefers the realm of his own thoughts to the real world. After securing a job as a nurse at a mental institution, he becomes increasingly detached from reality. The narrative also delves into his relationships with various other characters, including his fiancée, his best friend and a prostitute. The book is known for its dark humor and its exploration of themes such as existentialism and the nature of human consciousness.

"The Sleepwalkers" is a trilogy that explores the psychological transformation and moral decay of German society between 1888 and 1918. The narrative follows three main characters: Joachim von Pasenow, a romantic military officer; August Esch, a pragmatic bookkeeper; and Claus von Pasenow, an intellectual and World War I soldier. The book uses these characters to depict the shift from a stable, traditional society to a modern, aimless one, examining the individual's struggle with societal change and the disintegration of values.

"The Country Girls" is a coming-of-age novel about two young Irish women, Kate and Baba, who grow up in the restrictive and repressed atmosphere of rural Ireland in the 1950s. The narrative follows their journey from a convent school to the bright lights of Dublin, where they seek love and adventure. The novel explores themes of female friendship, sexual awakening, and the struggle for personal freedom against the backdrop of a conservative society.

"Amongst Women" is a novel that tells the story of Michael Moran, a bitter, aging Irish Republican Army (IRA) veteran, and his relationships with his wife and five children. The narrative explores themes of family, power, love, and the struggle between freedom and control. Moran's domineering personality and the effects of his past experiences in the IRA have a profound impact on his family, shaping their lives and relationships in complex and often destructive ways.

"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.

"The Master" is a fictionalized biography of the renowned author Henry James, chronicling his life from 1895 to 1899. The narrative delves into James' personal life, his relationships, and his struggles with his craft. The book reveals his inner thoughts and feelings, his unfulfilled desires, and his deep-seated fears. It also explores his relationships with his family, friends, and some of the most prominent figures of his time. The narrative is a deep, introspective exploration of a complex, introverted character, and the world in which he lived.

The novel revolves around the life of Judith Hearne, a lonely middle-aged spinster living in 1950s Belfast who struggles with her declining social status and her increasing reliance on alcohol. As she desperately seeks companionship and purpose in life, she becomes infatuated with her boarding house's landlady's brother, only to face rejection and further isolation. The book explores themes of loneliness, faith, disillusionment, and the harsh realities of ageing.

"The Painted Bird" is a dark and harrowing novel set in Eastern Europe during World War II. The story follows a young, unnamed boy of unknown ethnicity who is sent by his parents to live in a remote village for safety. However, he is instead subjected to brutal violence, abuse, and superstition by the superstitious peasants. The book explores themes of survival, human cruelty, and the loss of innocence in the face of war and hatred.

"Extinction" is a novel that explores the dark and complex themes of family, identity, and history through the eyes of its protagonist, a professor living in Rome. When he receives news of the deaths of his parents and brother in a car accident, he is forced to confront his past and his Austrian heritage. The narrative delves into his thoughts and feelings, his criticisms of his family and society, and his philosophical musings on life and death, all while he prepares to return to his family's estate for the funeral. The novel is renowned for its dense, stream-of-consciousness style and its unflinching examination of the human condition.

This book is a collection of short stories based on the author's experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Each story provides a harrowing, yet matter-of-fact, account of life in the concentration camp, from the brutal work details to the constant threat of death. The author's stark and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of Auschwitz serves as a powerful testament to the human capacity for survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.

The book is a darkly introspective narrative that delves into the mind of a reclusive, obsessive intellectual who is struggling to complete his scholarly work on the composer Mendelssohn. As he grapples with his own ailments and the perceived mediocrity of his surroundings, the protagonist's stream-of-consciousness monologue reveals his deep-seated anxieties, self-loathing, and profound isolation. The narrative is a relentless examination of the protagonist's psyche, showcasing his critical view of society and his own personal relationships, which are fraught with tension and dysfunction. Through this, the novel explores themes of artistic creation, intellectual elitism, and the suffocating nature of expectations and familial obligations.

Woodcutters is a darkly humorous critique of Vienna's artistic elite. The story takes place over the course of a single evening, as the narrator attends a dinner party in honor of a recently successful actor. As the evening progresses, he reflects on the pretentiousness and hypocrisy of the guests, the mediocrity of their artistic achievements, and the tragic suicide of his former lover. The novel is a scathing indictment of the vanity and self-delusion of the artistic community.

Set in 1960s Dublin, the novel follows the life of a ten-year-old boy as he navigates through the adventures and trials of childhood. The protagonist's world is one of mischief, discovery, and familial relationships, but as his parents' marriage crumbles, he is forced to deal with adult realities. The narrative is marked by the boy's growing understanding of the world around him, his loss of innocence, and his attempts to keep his family together.

"The Guiltless" is a novel that explores the disintegration of values and the rise of fascism in Germany between the two World Wars. It follows the lives of several characters, including a businessman, a musician, and a murderer, whose stories intertwine to paint a picture of a society in moral and social decline. The narrative delves into their personal struggles and moral dilemmas, reflecting the broader societal issues of the time and offering a critique of the political climate that allowed for the rise of totalitarian regimes.

"The Manor" depicts the complex interplay between Jews and Polish nobility in 19th century Poland. The narrative focuses on the lives of two Jewish families, the Kalinowskis and the Dembowskis, who are tied together by marriage. As they navigate the political and social changes of the time, the characters grapple with issues of faith, tradition, assimilation and the struggle for survival. The book provides a vivid portrayal of Jewish life in Poland during a period of significant change and upheaval.

The novel is a dystopian narrative set in a future where a new Asian empire has conquered Europe. The story follows a young Polish man who, while initially indulging in hedonistic pursuits, becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him. As the new empire introduces a mysterious substance known as Murti-Bing pills, which create a sense of contentment and indifference in the populace, the protagonist grapples with the loss of individuality and the erosion of human spirit in society. The narrative is a critique of totalitarian regimes and the dangers of mass conformity.

The novel tells the story of a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey, in the 1950s who, unable to find work at home, is sent to Brooklyn by a helpful priest where she builds a new life. She finds work, studies to become a bookkeeper, and falls in love with an Italian plumber named Tony. However, a family tragedy forces her to return to Ireland, where she must choose between her new life in America and her old life at home.

The book is a sweeping saga that explores the multigenerational story of a Jewish family living in Poland from the late 19th century through the eve of World War II. It delves into the lives, loves, and losses of the family members as they navigate the changing social and political landscape. The narrative captures the tension between tradition and modernity, the struggle for survival amidst anti-Semitism, and the impact of historical events on personal identities and destinies. Through vivid characterizations and rich detail, the novel paints a portrait of a community and a way of life on the brink of profound change.

"Wittgenstein's Nephew" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the friendship between the narrator and his friend Paul, who is the nephew of the famous philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. The story takes place in Vienna and is set against the backdrop of the Austrian mental health system. The novel delves into themes of sanity, insanity, and the fine line that separates the two, while also offering a critique of Austrian society. It is a meditation on the nature of illness, both physical and mental, and the impact it has on personal relationships and one's perception of the world.