The novel follows the journey of a 29-year-old poet who is struggling with her identity and self-worth. She is in an unhappy marriage and fantasizes about a life of sexual and personal freedom. Her fantasies center around the "zipless fuck", a spontaneous and impersonal sexual encounter. She embarks on an affair with a British psychoanalyst in an attempt to realize her fantasies, but ultimately learns that true liberation comes from within.

"The Story of Art" is a comprehensive guide to the history of art, covering a vast span of time from prehistoric art to contemporary movements. The book provides insights into the cultural, historical, and social contexts that have influenced the creation of art throughout various periods. It offers detailed analysis of major works and styles, and discusses the techniques used by artists from different eras. It is not only an exploration of the evolution of art but also an attempt to understand the motivations and inspirations of the artists behind the works.

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.

This book is an authoritative analysis of the major musical compositions and stylistic innovations during the Classical period, focusing specifically on the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. The author, a renowned pianist and musicologist, delves into the origins and development of the classical style, examining how these composers transformed the musical landscape with their approaches to form, harmony, and aesthetic. He offers readers a deep understanding of the period's music through detailed discussions of sonata form, the use of motifs, and the balance between melody and accompaniment, providing insights that connect the technical aspects of music theory with the expressive power of the classical repertoire.

The book follows the life of Lisa Erdman, a half-Jewish opera singer, through her erotic fantasies, her analysis with Sigmund Freud, her subsequent life in pre-war Vienna, and her eventual death in a Nazi concentration camp. The narrative is presented in a variety of styles, including erotic poetry, Freud's case study, third-person narrative, and a surrealistic opera libretto. The novel explores themes of sexuality, psychoanalysis, and the human capacity for evil and destruction.

The novel follows the Berry family, whose eccentricities and resilience are tested over generations, particularly through their experiences running various incarnations of the eponymous hotel. From their original establishment in New England to a second in Vienna, the Berrys encounter a cast of quirky characters, endure tragedies, and navigate complex relationships. Themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams are explored against a backdrop of political and social upheaval, with the family's unique motto, "Keep passing the open windows," serving as a refrain for their determination to persevere in the face of life's absurdities and challenges.

This book is a family memoir that traces the journey of a collection of miniature Japanese sculptures, called netsuke, through generations of a wealthy Jewish family. The narrative delves into the family's rise to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, their survival during the Nazi regime, their post-war struggles, and their eventual decline. The author uses the netsuke as a lens to explore the themes of art, loss, and family legacy.

This biography provides a comprehensive look into the life and theories of one of the most influential figures in the field of psychoanalysis. It delves into his early life, education, and the development of his groundbreaking theories on the human psyche, dreams, and the unconscious. The book also explores his personal struggles, relationships, and the controversies that surrounded his work, offering an in-depth view of his professional achievements and the lasting impact of his ideas on psychology and psychotherapy.

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the life and works of Joseph Haydn, a pivotal figure in the Classical era of music. It delves into his early years, his development as a composer, and his significant contributions to the symphony and string quartet. The biography also examines Haydn's relationships with other prominent composers, his patrons, and the broader socio-political context of his time. Rich with detailed analyses of Haydn's compositions and insights into his influence on Western music, the book offers a comprehensive look at his enduring legacy.

In this thrilling adventure, an ex-Justice Department operative stumbles upon a dangerous historical puzzle involving the Knights Templar. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself at the center of a deadly conflict between those who wish to protect the Templar's ancient secrets and those who seek to expose them. The quest leads him across Europe, racing against time and pursued by a shadowy cabal, as he tries to unravel centuries-old clues that could shake the foundations of Christianity and alter the world's power structure if revealed.

"The World As I Found It" is an imaginative and intellectually engaging novel that explores the lives and minds of three towering figures in philosophy: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, and G.E. Moore. Through a blend of fact and fiction, the narrative delves into their personal and professional struggles, capturing their complex relationships, existential quests, and the profound impact they had on each other and on modern thought. The book offers a richly detailed and dramatic portrayal of the philosophical and human dimensions of these influential thinkers.

"Fin-de-Siècle Vienna" is a collection of seven independent essays that explore the political, intellectual, and artistic life of Vienna at the end of the 19th century. The book delves into the dramatic cultural transformations that occurred during this period, including the rise of modernism, the influence of psychoanalysis, and the political turmoil that led to World War I. The author provides a detailed analysis of the works of key figures from this era, such as Gustav Klimt, Sigmund Freud, and Arnold Schoenberg, and discusses how their contributions reflected and shaped the social and political realities of the time.

The play explores the tumultuous life of a young musical genius, as seen through the envious eyes of his less-talented contemporary. Set in the opulent world of 18th-century Vienna, the story delves into the bitter rivalry between the established court composer and the prodigious newcomer who threatens to overshadow him. As the older composer recounts his efforts to undermine the young virtuoso's career, a complex narrative of obsession, intrigue, and madness unfolds, culminating in a haunting examination of the price of genius and the destructive nature of jealousy.

The Baroque Cycle is an expansive historical fiction series that weaves together a rich tapestry of themes including science, politics, philosophy, and adventure during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The narrative follows an eclectic cast of characters, ranging from natural philosophers and mathematicians to pirates and nobles, as they navigate the complex socio-political transformations of the Enlightenment era. The series delves into the origins of modern finance, the scientific revolution, and the geopolitical power shifts of the time, all while exploring the intricate interplay between the emerging modern world and the intricate, ornate culture of the Baroque period.