The novel is a nostalgic story about the narrator's involvement with the Flyte family, British aristocrats living in a grand mansion called Brideshead. The story explores themes of faith, love, and the decline of the British aristocracy, primarily through the narrator's relationships with the family's Catholic faith and his complicated friendship with the family's son and his love for the daughter. The novel is set in the backdrop of the time period between the two World Wars.

The novel is a poignant tale of an English butler, Stevens, who reflects on his life and career during a road trip through the English countryside. As he delves into his past, he reveals his unquestioning loyalty to his former employer, Lord Darlington, and his unexpressed love for the housekeeper, Miss Kenton. The narrative explores themes of dignity, duty, and regret, as Stevens comes to terms with his unquestioning devotion to his employer and the missed opportunities in his personal life.

The novel is set during the Mexican Revolution, focusing on a whisky priest who is on the run from the authorities who have outlawed Catholicism. The priest, who is flawed and sinful, travels across the country to evade capture, minister to the faithful, and find a way to repent for his sins. Despite his moral failings, the priest's compassion and commitment to his faith make him a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of oppression. The book explores themes of faith, redemption, and the human struggle with sin.

This novel is a unique blend of six different stories, each set in a different time and place, spanning from the 19th century South Pacific to a post-apocalyptic future. Each tale is written in a different style, reflecting the time and setting it represents, and they are all connected through shared themes and recurring motifs. The stories are nested within each other, with each interrupted by the next, only to be concluded in the second half of the book. The novel explores themes of predacity, civilization, reincarnation and the eternal recurrence of the same behaviors throughout history.

Set during the French colonial war in Vietnam, this novel follows a British journalist and a young American idealist who become friends and find themselves in a love triangle with a Vietnamese woman. As the war escalates, the journalist becomes disillusioned with the American's naïve political views and the destructive impact of foreign intervention. The story is a critique of American involvement in Vietnam, exploring themes of love, friendship, and moral ambiguity.

"Earthly Powers" is a sprawling, complex novel that explores the intertwined lives of a homosexual British writer and an Italian-American Cardinal over the course of the 20th century. The narrative delves into themes of faith, homosexuality, and the nature of evil, while also providing a critique of modern society. It's a vivid tapestry of historical events, including two World Wars and Vatican II, providing a backdrop for the personal and spiritual struggles of its protagonists.

Set in England during World War II, the novel follows a middle-aged woman living in a boarding house, who spends her time navigating the petty squabbles and politics of her fellow residents. Her life takes a turn when she becomes entangled in a love triangle with a charming but manipulative American lieutenant and a young German woman. The book explores themes of loneliness, manipulation, and the struggle for personal freedom in a time of national crisis.

"The Master of Ballantrae: A Winter's Tale" is a captivating adventure story set in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. The narrative revolves around two brothers, James and Henry Durie, who are torn apart by their conflicting loyalties to the English king and the exiled Stuart court. The elder, James, is presumed dead after a lost battle, but returns years later to claim his inheritance, leading to a bitter feud that spans continents and decades. The story is filled with duels, treachery, shipwrecks, and buried treasure, exploring themes of love, hate, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession.

"Sacred Hunger" is a historical novel that explores the Atlantic slave trade in the 18th century. The story follows the journey of a Liverpool merchant's ship, filled with slaves, as it travels from Africa to the Americas. The narrative delves into the harsh realities of the slave trade, the inhuman conditions aboard the ship, and the moral complexities faced by the crew. After a mutiny, the survivors establish a utopian community in Florida, only to face the threat of civilization once again. The novel is a profound examination of greed, power, and the human capacity for cruelty.

The novel centers on a group of American military wives stationed with their husbands at an Air Force base in England during the 1950s. It follows their lives, friendships, and the challenges they face as they navigate cultural differences, personal dreams, and the shifting social landscape of the 20th century. Despite the varied paths their lives take over the years, the women share a bond that endures through love affairs, family strife, and societal changes, capturing the essence of an era and the enduring power of friendship.

Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows a diverse group of runners from around the world as they compete in a grueling trans-America footrace. The event, organized to capture the public's imagination and offer a large cash prize, attracts a colorful cast of characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. As the competitors endure the punishing 3,000-mile journey, they face not only physical and emotional challenges but also the manipulations of the race's unscrupulous promoter. The story is a testament to human endurance, spirit, and the pursuit of dreams amidst the harshest of circumstances.

"Every Man for Himself" is a historical fiction novel centered around the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic. The story is narrated by a 22-year-old American named Morgan, who is a nephew of the owner of the ship. The novel vividly portrays the class distinctions, social norms, and personal ambitions of the era, while masterfully building up the suspense and tragedy of the impending disaster. The narrative weaves together a complex web of relationships and events, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and the human condition against the backdrop of one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

An American, Mark Franklin, travels to England in the late 19th century with a mysterious past and a pocket full of money. He quickly finds himself in the midst of high society, where he becomes friends with a notorious rake and a retired boxer. Through a series of adventures and misadventures, Franklin attempts to navigate the complexities of British society, all while dealing with his own personal demons and a past that refuses to stay buried. The book combines elements of historical fiction, adventure, and social commentary.

This novel intertwines two parallel narratives, one set in the 13th century and one in the modern day. The contemporary story follows a discontented American housewife who, while working as a reader for a literary agency, comes across a novel about the 13th-century poet Rumi and his spiritual mentor, Shams of Tabriz. As she delves into their story, she uncovers Shams' forty rules of love and begins to question her own life and relationships. The historical narrative, on the other hand, explores the transformative friendship between Rumi and Shams, and how their bond revolutionized Rumi's poetry and outlook on life.

This novel unfolds as the intimate journal of Logan Mountstuart, chronicling his life from the early 20th century through to the end of the 1980s. Through the eyes of Mountstuart, readers experience the defining historical, cultural, and personal events of the century. From his youth in Uruguay to his education in England, his experiences in war, love, and loss, and his encounters with the century's great artists, writers, and thinkers, the narrative captures the essence of human experience. The protagonist's journey through the highs and lows of life, his successes and failures, and his reflections on the human condition, make this a deeply personal and universally resonant story.

"Westward Ho!" is a historical adventure novel set in the Elizabethan era, following the exploits of Amyas Leigh, a young Englishman motivated by both patriotic fervor and personal revenge. He embarks on a journey to the New World and the Spanish Main, driven by his desire to defeat the Spanish at sea and his quest to find his lost love, Rose Salterne, who has been abducted. The novel vividly portrays the naval conflicts, explorations, and maritime adventures of the time, encapsulating the spirit of the English sea rovers and adventurers who sought glory and riches across the oceans.

This novel follows the life of Joseph Vaughan, a boy growing up in a small Georgia town during the 1930s and 1940s, who is haunted by a series of brutal murders of young girls. As the community is ravaged by fear and suspicion, Joseph makes a vow to protect its children. However, the killings continue over the years, shadowing Joseph's life even as he moves away, shaping his destiny. The narrative weaves a tale of mystery, loss, and a quest for justice, deeply exploring the themes of evil, redemption, and the enduring power of belief amidst the darkest circumstances.

"The Electric Michelangelo" is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of Cy Parks, a man from Morecambe Bay, England who becomes an apprentice in his mother's seaside hotel for consumptives. He later becomes a tattoo artist, first in his hometown and then in the bustling Coney Island, New York. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of art as Cy navigates through the complexities of human body and spirit in the 20th century.

"Bid Me to Live" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the emotional turmoil and personal growth of a young woman named Julia Ashton during World War I. Set against the backdrop of the literary circles of London, the narrative delves into Julia's complex relationships with her husband, a poet suffering from war trauma, and her passionate affair with another writer. The novel poignantly captures the struggles of love, the search for artistic identity, and the impact of war on personal lives, reflecting the author's own experiences within the bohemian world of early 20th-century poets and artists.

"A Season In The West" is a gripping historical novel that takes place during the American Civil War. Set in the tumultuous West, the story follows a young Union soldier named John who finds himself caught up in the chaos and violence of the war. As he navigates through battles, encounters with Native Americans, and the harsh realities of army life, John must confront his own personal demons and question the morality of war. With vivid descriptions and compelling characters, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience during a time of great conflict.

"Hopeful Monsters" is a novel that explores the lives of two intellectuals, a German physicist and a British anthropologist, against the backdrop of the political and scientific upheavals of the 20th century. Their personal journeys and love story are intertwined with their pursuit of understanding in the realms of physics, biology, and anthropology, as they grapple with issues such as quantum mechanics, genetics, and the nature of consciousness. The narrative also delves into the moral and ethical challenges posed by the rise of fascism and the advent of the atomic bomb.

"Twelve Bar Blues" is a multi-generational tale that spans across time and continents, intertwining the lives of characters from New Orleans to London and Africa. The narrative explores the roots and evolution of jazz music through the life of a legendary cornet player, his granddaughter who is in search of her roots, and an Englishman obsessed with the history of jazz. The book delves deep into the themes of love, identity, race, and music, presenting a vibrant portrayal of the jazz age and its cultural impact.