Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Russian Revolution, the book follows the life of a physician and poet, Yuri Zhivago, as he navigates the political and social upheaval of the early 20th century. Torn between his love for two women, his wife Tonya and his passionate mistress Lara, Zhivago's personal struggles mirror the larger societal changes occurring around him. The novel explores themes of love, war, and the human spirit, offering a poignant and complex portrait of life during a time of revolutionary change.

This novel provides a detailed account of a single day in the life of a prisoner, Ivan Denisovich, in a Soviet labor camp in the 1950s. The narrative follows Ivan as he navigates the harsh realities of his daily routine, from the moment he wakes up to when he goes to bed. The book provides a stark portrayal of the brutality and inhumanity of the Soviet gulag system while also highlighting the resilience and dignity of the human spirit under such oppressive conditions.

"Life and Fate" is a sweeping epic that explores the human condition during the Siege of Stalingrad in World War II. The novel delves into the lives of a wide range of characters, from soldiers and scientists to children and victims of the Holocaust, providing a stark and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of war, the brutality of totalitarianism, and the resilience of the human spirit. At the same time, it also examines themes of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom and dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

"The Mandarins" is a novel that explores the personal and political lives of a group of intellectuals in post-World War II France. The narrative delves into their struggles with ethical dilemmas, political ideologies, and personal relationships in a rapidly changing world. The book is known for its exploration of existentialism and feminism, providing a vivid portrayal of the human condition and the complexities of freedom.

"Kolyma Stories" is a collection of short stories that vividly depict the harrowing experiences of prisoners in the Soviet Gulag during the Stalinist era. Written by Varlam Shalamov, a survivor of the Kolyma labor camps himself, the book offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the inhumane conditions, extreme suffering, and moral degradation endured by the prisoners. Through his powerful and haunting narratives, Shalamov sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable will to survive amidst unimaginable cruelty.

"Cancer Ward" is a poignant novel set in a Soviet cancer hospital in the mid-1950s. It follows the lives and struggles of patients and doctors, exploring their personal histories, relationships, and the political environment of the time. The hospital serves as a metaphor for the oppressive Soviet state, with cancer symbolizing the malignant growth of totalitarianism. The book also explores themes of mortality, the human spirit, and the will to survive.

The novel follows the lives of two orphaned Australian sisters, Caroline and Grace Bell, who move to England in the post-World War II era. The story revolves around their relationships, particularly Caroline's complex and often tragic love life. The narrative is filled with themes of love, fate, time, and the intricate complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of significant historical events.

"Cloudstreet" is a sweeping family saga set in post-World War II Australia, following two families, the Pickles and the Lambs, who come to live together in a large, ramshackle house on Cloud Street over two decades. The story explores their struggles, triumphs, and the ways they are haunted and blessed by a mysterious spiritual presence. The novel is a celebration of endurance, unity, and the many forms of love, set against the backdrop of a changing Australia.

"Suite Française" is a two-part novel set during the early years of World War II in France. The first part, "Storm in June," follows a group of Parisians as they flee the Nazi invasion. The second part, "Dolce," shows life in a small French village under German occupation. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and survival, and provides a unique perspective on life in France during the war. The book was written during the war but was not discovered and published until many years later.

This novel tells the story of Stan Parker, an ordinary and hardworking man living in the Australian outback. The narrative chronicles his life, including his marriage to Amy, the birth of their two children, and the various struggles they face such as financial hardship, natural disasters, and the challenges of rural life. The book provides a deep and introspective look into the human condition, exploring themes of love, death, faith, and the search for meaning.

The novel is a poignant exploration of the bond between a young Arab boy, Momo, and an elderly Jewish woman, Madame Rosa, who is a Holocaust survivor and former prostitute. Living in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris, Madame Rosa takes care of the children of other prostitutes, and Momo becomes her protégé and closest companion. Through their relationship, the story delves into themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative, told from Momo's perspective, captures the struggles and the multicultural tapestry of life in a Parisian slum, while also addressing the weight of history and the complexity of identity and belonging.

"The Clay Machine-gun" is a surreal and complex novel that explores the nature of reality and illusion. The story is set in post-Soviet Russia and follows a protagonist who has multiple identities, including a poet in 19th-century Russia, a 20th-century psychiatric patient, and a 21st-century advertising executive. The narrative moves between these identities and realities, blurring the lines between them and creating a layered and philosophical exploration of Russian society, identity, and the human psyche.

The book is a poignant and harrowing narrative that follows the tragic history of the Levy family over eight centuries, focusing on the lineage of the "Just Men" - thirty-six pure souls in each generation said to bear the sufferings of the world. The story culminates with the life of Ernie Levy, who, despite the encroaching horrors of the Holocaust, maintains an unwavering faith in human goodness. His journey through the ghettos and concentration camps of World War II Europe is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable evil, as he upholds his family's legacy of compassion until his last breath.

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.

This novel follows the lives of a young couple living in Paris during the 1960s. The couple, both freelancers, dream of a luxurious lifestyle filled with expensive goods and high-class culture. However, they struggle to achieve their aspirations due to their low income. The book explores themes such as consumerism, societal pressure, and the gap between dreams and reality, providing a critical look at the materialistic desires and ambitions of the young generation during the sixties.

The novel is set in post-World War II French Equatorial Africa and follows Morel, a French environmental activist who is fighting to protect elephants from extinction. Morel's crusade against elephant poaching not only draws the attention of other Europeans living in Africa, but also inspires a range of African characters to join his cause. The narrative explores themes of freedom, nature, and the struggle against colonialism and commercial exploitation.

"The Children's Bach" is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the pursuit of happiness. Set in Melbourne, the story follows a group of interconnected characters as they navigate their relationships, dreams, and disappointments. Through beautiful prose and keen observations, the author delves into themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in everyday life, creating a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.

"Happy Moscow" is a satirical novel set in the Soviet Union during the height of Stalinist rule, following the life of a young woman, Moscow Chestnova, who is named after the capital city. Despite the harsh realities of life under an authoritarian regime, she maintains a positive and optimistic outlook, symbolizing the Soviet Union's propaganda that promoted an image of a happy and prosperous society. The novel, through its characters and their experiences, explores the paradoxes and contradictions of the Soviet society, challenging the official narrative of happiness and prosperity.

In "The Planetarium," the narrative delves into the complex web of human relationships and the subtle power dynamics within a Parisian family. The story unfolds through a series of internal monologues and fragmented conversations, focusing on a young writer who seeks recognition and support from his self-absorbed aunt. The aunt, preoccupied with her own social status and the maintenance of her bourgeois lifestyle, becomes the center of a psychological exploration of pretense, manipulation, and the struggle for authenticity in a world governed by social appearances. The novel dissects the intricacies of familial expectations and the individual's quest for identity amidst the pressures of societal conformity.

This novel is a rich tapestry of themes and characters, interweaving the lives of four diverse individuals in post-World War II Australia. Each character, an eccentric Holocaust survivor, a reclusive heiress, a visionary Aboriginal artist, and a passionate washerwoman, is marked by intense spiritual experiences and a sense of being an outsider. Their paths converge in a narrative that explores the depths of human suffering, the potential for redemption, and the complex interplay between the sacred and the profane. Through their interconnected stories, the book delves into the moral and existential dilemmas of the human condition, offering a profound meditation on faith, meaning, and the possibility of transcendence amidst the harsh realities of everyday life.

"The Little Hotel" is a novel that revolves around the lives of the guests and staff of a small Swiss hotel post-World War II. The narrative delves into the interactions, secrets, and complexities of its diverse characters, who range from exiles and refugees to tourists and the hotel's proprietors. Through a series of vignettes, the book paints a vivid picture of the human condition, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and the search for stability in a rapidly changing world. The hotel serves as a microcosm of society, where personal dramas and the echoes of global events intermingle, revealing the nuanced tapestry of post-war Europe.

"Cleaned Out" is a poignant autobiographical novel that delves into the life of a young woman coming of age in post-war France. The narrative follows her journey from a working-class background through her experiences at a boarding school and university, where she grapples with the social and sexual mores of the time. The protagonist's struggle with an unwanted pregnancy and the subsequent illegal abortion is a central and harrowing theme, reflecting the broader issues of female autonomy and the class divide. The novel is a stark and unflinching exploration of identity, memory, and the societal pressures that shape the lives of women.

The book is a poignant narrative set during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s in the Soviet Union. It follows the story of a loyal and hardworking widow who is confronted with the brutal reality of the regime when her beloved son is arrested on false charges. As she navigates the Kafkaesque bureaucracy to seek justice for her son, her faith in the government and its policies is shattered. The novel offers a harrowing look at the terror of the Great Purge and the impact of political oppression on the lives of ordinary citizens, as the protagonist grapples with the disintegration of her world and the moral dilemmas posed by a society steeped in fear and denunciations.

"Le Pauvre Christ De Bomba" is a satirical novel set in colonial Cameroon, highlighting the cultural clash between the indigenous people and the French colonizers. The story follows the life of a young boy named Christophe, who is sent to a Catholic mission school and becomes the subject of ridicule due to his poverty and African heritage. Through Christophe's experiences, the author exposes the hypocrisy and injustices of the colonial system, shedding light on the destructive effects of colonization on African society.

"L'étrange Destin De Wangrin" by "Amadou Hampâté Bâ" is a captivating narrative that delves into the life of Wangrin, a complex and enigmatic figure in West African society. Through a series of interconnected stories, the book explores Wangrin's rise from a humble clerk to a powerful and influential figure, as well as his eventual downfall. Set against the backdrop of colonialism and cultural clashes, the novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of identity, power dynamics, and the consequences of one's choices.