The novel is set in a small frontier town of an unnamed empire, where the magistrate lives a life of civil service and relative peace. His world is disrupted when the Empire declares a state of emergency due to rumors of barbarian uprising. The magistrate becomes a critic of the Empire's brutal and inhumane methods of dealing with the perceived threat, which leads to his arrest and torture. As he tries to understand his role in the vast political machinery, he also grapples with questions of power, justice, and humanity.

"The Parable of the Blind" is a darkly comedic novel that follows six blind men who are hired to pose as models for a famous painter's depiction of a biblical parable. As they journey to the painter's studio, they struggle with their dependence on each other and the outside world, grappling with the limitations and challenges of their blindness. The narrative explores themes of human vulnerability, the nature of perception, and the absurdity of existence.

This novel tells the story of a young man from East Germany who rebels against the societal norms and expectations of his time. The protagonist, a skilled worker, flees from his apprenticeship and his home to Berlin, where he isolates himself in a summer house, devoting his time to his passions of reading and listening to Western music. Using the narrative style of a psychological confession, the book explores themes of youthful rebellion, the search for identity, and the conflict between individual desires and societal pressures. The protagonist's tragic end underlines the oppressive nature of the East German regime.

The book is a rich tapestry of historical fiction and magical realism, weaving together the lives of a talking fish, a series of women cooks, and the men in their lives over several centuries. It explores themes of feminism, power, and the evolution of culinary arts, with the titular flounder serving as a guide and witness to the unfolding human drama. The narrative spans from the Stone Age to the modern era, reflecting on the changing roles and relationships between men and women, as well as the impact of these dynamics on culture and society. The novel is a blend of myth, satire, and allegory, presenting a unique perspective on the history of humanity through the lens of food and gender politics.

"Kruger's Alp" follows the journey of a South African everyman, a railway guard, who embarks on a trek across Europe to find the grave of Paul Kruger, a former president of South Africa. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters and experiences that reflect on the history and politics of his home country, providing a satirical and insightful commentary on South African society during the apartheid era.