By Anthony Burgess

From the cover. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE_-Anthony Burgess' most famous novel-is a book of stunning force, the most cogent and terrifying vision of the future since George Orwell's 1984. Adrift in the impersonal, iron-gray society of the superstate, the novel's main character, 15-year-old Alex, leads his gang of teen-age rockers in all-night orgies of random violence and destruction. Told in a slang as electric as the events described, this is Alex's storyo f rapes and stompings and rumbles with the police, of prison life and the frightful "Ludovico Technique" by which Alex is "recon ditioned" into a model citizen, and of his subsequent adventures as a mindless pawn in the cynical hands of the authorities. "A brilliant novel . . . a tour de force in nastiness, an inventive primer in total violence, a savage satire o n t h edistortions o fthe single and collective minds."-New York Times.

NY. W.W. Norton. 1962. 184p.

B y Tim Winton

Penguin Books. 2018. 266p.

"The Shepherd's Hut" is a novel by Australian author Tim Winton, published in 2018. The novel follows the story of Jaxie Clackton, a young Australian boy who flees his abusive father and sets out on foot into the Western Australian outback.

Jaxie's journey takes him through a harsh and unforgiving landscape, where he must fend for himself and face his own inner demons. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious old man named Fintan MacGillis, who lives alone in a remote shepherd's hut.

As Jaxie and Fintan form an unlikely bond, they both confront their pasts and grapple with questions of identity, belonging, and redemption. The novel explores themes of masculinity, violence, and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

Winton's prose is spare and poetic, capturing the beauty and brutality of the outback landscape and the emotional turmoil of his characters. The novel has been praised for its powerful storytelling, evocative language, and exploration of important contemporary issues.

By Eleanor Catton

New York Little Brown. 2013. 834p.

The novel begins with the arrival of Walter Moody, a young Scottish lawyer, in Hokitika, where he stumbles upon a meeting of 12 local men. Each of these men has a different story to tell about a recent series of events involving theft, deception, and possible murder. As the novel progresses, their stories become increasingly entangled, and Moody finds himself drawn into the intricate web of secrets and lies that surround them.

Catton uses a range of narrative techniques, including astrology and multiple points of view, to create a complex and layered narrative. The novel also explores a range of themes, including class, race, gender, and the pursuit of wealth and power in a frontier society.

By E. V. Timms

NY. Pyramid. 1951. 315p

"The Valleys Beyond" is a novel by Australian author Peter Kocan, first published in 1995. The novel follows the lives of a group of working-class Australians living in the fictional town of Walgaree, New South Wales, in the 1950s and 1960s.

At the heart of the novel is the character of Brian Madden, a troubled young man who struggles with mental illness and a sense of alienation from the world around him. Madden's struggles are mirrored in the lives of the other characters, including his mother, who works as a cleaner, his father, a factory worker, and his girlfriend, an aspiring singer.

Kocan uses vivid and poetic language to capture the landscape and atmosphere of Walgaree and to explore the characters' inner lives and struggles. The novel also explores themes of class, identity, and the impact of social and economic change on working-class communities in Australia.

By Robert Harris

London. Hutchinson. 2003. 341p.

The novel is set against the backdrop of the impending eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which eventually destroys the city of Pompeii and leads to the death of thousands of its inhabitants. Harris uses meticulous historical research to bring the city and its inhabitants to life, and the novel provides a vivid and immersive portrayal of life in ancient Rome.

The novel also explores themes of greed, corruption, and political intrigue, as Attilius uncovers a conspiracy involving the corrupt aquarius in charge of Pompeii's water supply, as well as the wealthy and powerful Pompeian elite. The novel's suspenseful plot and vivid descriptions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius create a gripping and immersive reading experience.

By Steele Rudd

Sydneeele Ruddy. Angus and Robertson. 1899. 258p.

"On Our Selection" is a play and a collection of stories written by Australian author Steele Rudd (real name Arthur Hoey Davis) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stories are based on Rudd's own experiences growing up in rural Queensland and revolve around the trials and tribulations of a farming family, the Rudds.

The character of Dad Rudd, the patriarch of the family, has become an iconic figure in Australian literature and is known for his wit, wisdom, and resilience in the face of adversity. The stories offer a humorous and affectionate portrayal of rural life in Australia at the turn of the century, and explore the themes of family, community, and the struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

"On Our Selection" was first published in 1899 and became an instant success, both in Australia and overseas. The stories have been adapted into several films, plays, and television series over the years, and continue to be celebrated as a classic example of Australian literature.

Editor-in-Chief, Kuno Francke

NY. The German Publication Society. 1914.

The collection includes works by famous authors such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Thomas Mann, and Franz Kafka. It also includes lesser-known works by writers such as Adalbert Stifter, Gottfried Keller, and Gerhart Hauptmann.

Each work in the collection offers a unique perspective on the cultural, social, and political issues of its time, and reflects the distinctive style and voice of its author. The works in the collection range from romantic poetry and lyrical prose to philosophical essays and modernist fiction.

By Michelene Lee

Melbourne, Australia.Black Publishing. 2016. 293p.

As Aunty Party's family and friends gather for a weekend of prayer and healing rituals, the novel explores themes of faith, family, and the complex relationships that exist within communities. It also delves into issues of culture, identity, and the impact of colonialism on indigenous communities in Australia.

Through the character of Aunty Party, the novel explores the role of faith and spirituality in providing comfort and guidance to individuals and communities facing difficult challenges. It also raises important questions about the intersection of traditional indigenous beliefs with Western religious practices, and the ongoing impact of colonization on the spiritual and cultural practices of indigenous Australians.

By Bernard Conners

NY. British American Publishing. 1983. 360p.

The novel explores the vibrant subculture of dancehall music and its influence on the lives of young black people in London during that time. It also delves into issues of identity, race, gender, and class, as Yvette navigates her way through a complex and sometimes hostile world.

As Yvette begins to explore her sexuality and her desire for independence, she confronts the challenges and contradictions of growing up as a young black woman in a society that often fails to recognize her worth and potential. Through her experiences, the novel explores the ways in which racism and sexism intersect, and the impact they have on the lives of marginalized individuals and communities.

By Chris Cleave

NY. Simon and Schuster. 2008. 298p.

The novel alternates between the perspectives of Little Bee and Sarah, a British woman whose life intersects with Little Bee's when they meet on a Nigerian beach two years before Little Bee's arrival in England. As the two women's stories unfold, the novel explores themes of identity, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships.

Through the character of Little Bee, the novel sheds light on the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, and the challenges they face as they try to build new lives in unfamiliar and often hostile environments. It also explores issues of race, privilege, and the legacy of colonialism, as well as the impact of global economic and political forces on the lives of individuals and communities.

By George Eliot III

Silas Marner is George Eliot's (1819-1880) short novel of 1861, in which the protagonist is obliged to leave his small religious community after being falsely accused of theft. He settles in Raveloe, where he works diligently as a weaver for 15 years and manages to accumulate and hoard a substantial amount of gold.
“The Lifted Veil” concerns themes of fate, extrasensory perception, the mystery of life and life after death. Eliot's interest in these themes stemmed partly from her own struggles with religious faith, as she was an extremely devout Christian as a child and young adult who later renounced Christianity completely. “Brother Jacob'“raises issues of perennial concern to George Eliot as an author who was also a woman. In particular, this fabular tale about a hapless confectioner and his imbecilic broth- er exposes the pitfalls in women's relationship(s) to cultural authority, 'the strange bright fruits of knowledge' (Woolf 160). As a fable whose hero is distinguished by fraudulence and guile, 'Brother Jacob' reflects its author's attitude towards plagiarists and other impostors with pre- tensions to authorship. Even as Marian Evans disguised herself as George Eliot, the 'silly lady novelist' of her day is disguised in the story's protagonist, David Faux.

London. Oxford University Press. 1861., 1859, 1860. 318p.

By Mrs. Craik.

The action is centred on the town of Tewkesbury, scarcely disguised by the fictional name Norton Bury, in Gloucestershire. The story is narrated by Phineas, a friend of the central character. John Halifax is an orphan, determined to make his way in the world through honest hard work. He is taken in by a tanner, Abel Fletcher, who is a Quaker, and thus meets Phineas, who is Abel's son. John eventually achieves success in business and love, and becomes a wealthy man. (Wikipedia)

London: Ward, Lock and Co. 1856. 449p.

By D. H. Lawrence

Kangaroo is D. H. Lawrence's eighth novel, set in Australia. He wrote the first draft in just forty-five days while living south of Sydney, in 1922, and revised it three months later in New Mexico. The descriptions of the country are vivid and sympathetic and the book fuses lightly disguised autobiography with an exploration of political ideas at an immensely personal level. Based on a collation of the manuscript, typescripts and first editions, this text of Kangaroo is closest to what Lawrence would have expected to see in print. There is a full textual apparatus of variants, a comprehensive introduction giving the background and history of composition and publication and a summary of contemporary reviewers' opinions. Explanatory notes elucidate the many geographical, political and literary allusions in the text; there are three maps and an appendix detailing Australian locations.

London. Thomas Seltzer Inc. 1923. 367p.

By Albert Camus

With the intrigue of a psychological thriller, The Stranger—Camus's masterpiece—gives us the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach. With an Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie; translated by Matthew Ward.

Behind the subterfuge, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd" and describes the condition of reckless alienation and spiritual exhaustion that characterized so much of twentieth-century life. 

“The Stranger is a strikingly modern text and Matthew Ward’s translation will enable readers to appreciate why Camus’s stoical anti-hero and ­devious narrator remains one of the key expressions of a postwar Western malaise, and one of the cleverest exponents of a literature of ambiguity.” –from the Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie.

Through the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach, Camus explored what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd." First published in English in 1946; now in a new translation by Matthew Ward.

London. Knopf. 1946. 77p.

By Steele Rudd

"We want a man," Fahey added, "who'll go to Brisbane an' put the sufferances of the farmers plainly an'— an'—well before Parliament—a man who'll talk t' thim, an' talk straightforredly t' thim, an'—an'—tell thim what's right an'—an' what ought t' be done. An' there's no one can do it better'n yeou."

Dad stared at the floor in silence. He seemed impressed with Fahey's argument.

So began Dad's career in Politics, and although he doesn't know much about Parliamentary protocol, he is determined to have his say; his spectacular entry into the House, his subsequent brushes with the long-suffering Speaker, and portraits of the Member for Fillemupagen, the Minister for Lands, the Premier and the Treasurer, and the "Chesterfield", make this one of the wittiest criticisms of its kind. The book was written not long after Rudd had been retrenched from the Public Service, and he worked off a personal grudge by making many of his characters clearly recognizable among the State politicians of the day—small wonder that there were moves to have him called before the bar of the house and disciplined.

Steele Rudd's works are now part of the Australian image, and his chief heroes, Dad and Dave, part of the Australian myth. They have, unhappily, been out of print for a long time, and a whole generation has grown up without knowing characters who were a household word to their parents and grandparents. People who have never read Steele Rudd can now appreciate a unique part of the Australian heritage; and those who do know his characters will doubtless be glad to renew old acquaintances and memories.

Sydney. Bookstall. 1908. 304p.

By Rohinton Mistry

With a compassionate realism and narrative sweep that recall the work of Charles Dickens, this magnificent novel captures all the cruelty and corruption, dignity and heroism, of India. The time is 1975. The place is an unnamed city by the sea. The government has just declared a State of Emergency, in whose upheavals four strangers--a spirited widow, a young student uprooted from his idyllic hill station, and two tailors who have fled the caste violence of their native village--will be thrust together, forced to share one cramped apartment and an uncertain future.

As the characters move from distrust to friendship and from friendship to love, A Fine Balance creates an enduring panorama of the human spirit in an inhuman state.

NY. Vintage. 1997. 603p.

By William Handel Richardson

'The Getting of Wisdom' is a compelling and frank account of a young girl's coming of age. It tells the story of Laura Rambotham and her struggle to be accepted by her peers at a new school.

Henry Handel was the pseudonym of Ethel Florence Lindsay Richardson. She was born in 1870 in Victoria. Her family was fairly well-off in the early days, but fell on hard times, after her father died. She attended the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne from age 13 – 17.

The Getting of Wisdom was written in 1910, but was set in 1890’s Melbourne & loosely followed Richardson’s own experiences at boarding school. Curiously none of the girls (or women) in The Getting of Wisdom are very likeable. They’re mean, snobbish, selfish & bitchy. Even Laura, who you empathise with at the start, never learns from her mistakes. And in fact, her self-deception, lying, cheating & self-absorption at the expense of others grew worse with time. At the end, while wondering “wisdom, what wisdom?”, Richardson did have some interesting things to say about conformity, creativity, moderation, honesty, integrity & the status of women in Victorain society, via her characters.

London. Heinemann. 1910. 209p.

By Jonas Jonasson. Translated by Rod Bradbury

A larger-than-life old man with a fondness for vodka goes on an unexpected adventure in this whimsical novel -- perfect for fans of Forrest Gump and A Man Called Ove.. The international publishing sensation -- more than six million copies sold worldwide! A reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert) decides it's not too late to start over . . .

After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he's still in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn't interested (and he'd like a bit more control over his vodka consumption). So he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant (not to mention a death by elephant).

It would be the adventure of a lifetime for anyone else, but Allan has a larger-than-life backstory: Not only has he witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, but he has actually played a key role in them. Starting out in munitions as a boy, he somehow finds himself involved in many of the key explosions of the twentieth century and travels the world, sharing meals and more with everyone from Stalin, Churchill, and Truman to Mao, Franco, and de Gaulle. Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has charmed readers across the world.

NY. Hachette. 2009, 2012. 381p.

By Richard Flanagan

Kif Kehlmann, a young, penniless writer, thinks he’s finally caught a break when he’s offered $10,000 to ghostwrite the memoir of Siegfried “Ziggy” Heidl, the notorious con man and corporate criminal. Ziggy is about to go to trial for defrauding banks for $700 million; they have six weeks to write the book.
 
But Ziggy swiftly proves almost impossible to work with: evasive, contradictory, and easily distracted by his still-running “business concerns”—which Kif worries may involve hiring hitmen from their shared office. Worse, Kif finds himself being pulled into an odd, hypnotic, and ever-closer orbit of all things Ziggy. As the deadline draws near, Kif becomes increasingly unsure if he is ghostwriting a memoir, or if Ziggy is rewriting him—his life, his future, and the very nature of the truth.
 
By turns comic, compelling, and finally chilling, First Person is a haunting look at an age where fact is indistinguishable from fiction, and freedom is traded for a false idea of progress.

London. Penguin, 2017, 392p.

By Salman Rushdie

A mixture of science fiction and folktale, past and future, primitive and present-day . . . Thunderous and touching. After drinking an elixir that bestows immortality upon him, a young Indian named Flapping Eagle spends the next seven hundred years sailing the seas with the blessing–and ultimately the burden–of living forever. Eventually, weary of the sameness of life, he journeys to the mountainous Calf Island to regain his mortality. There he meets other immortals obsessed with their own stasis and sets out to scale the island’s peak, from which the mysterious and corrosive Grimus Effect emits. Through a series of thrilling quests and encounters, Flapping Eagle comes face-to-face with the island’s creator and unwinds the mysteries of his own humanity. Salman Rushdie’s celebrated debut novel remains as powerful and as haunting as when it was first published more than thirty years ago. A book to be read twice . . . [Grimus] is literate, it is fun, it is meaningful, and perhaps most important, it pushes the boundaries of the form outward.

London. Vintage. 1975. 253p.