Secondhand Literary Bargain Book Box DSH839

Secondhand Literary Bargain Book Box

Dive into a curated collection of pre-loved literary gems and compelling general fiction. This bargain box offers a diverse range of stories, from classic spy thrillers and poignant historical narratives to insightful Australian tales and darkly humorous short stories. Discover new authors or revisit old favourites, all while giving these wonderful books a second life.

Contents:

1. Loved Children by Christina Stead
   A complex family drama set in Washington D.C. during the 1930s, this powerful, often unsettling portrait of domestic life and psychological manipulation explores the suffocating dynamics within the large, eccentric household, focusing on the clash between the idealistic father and pragmatic stepmother.
2. Spirit of Progress by Steven Carroll
   The first book in the Glenroy sequence, set in suburban Melbourne, this beautifully written novel captures the quiet rhythms of Australian life, following the lives of ordinary people navigating the post-war era and exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.
3. Smiley's People by Le Carré
   George Smiley is called out of retirement for one last mission when a former Soviet general's death leads him into a complex web; this masterclass in Cold War spy fiction is the culmination of the Karla trilogy, providing a poignant and thrilling conclusion to Smiley's career.
4. When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard
   Set in rural Australia, this compelling and emotionally resonant novel tells a story of family secrets, betrayal, and the search for truth, following a woman uncovering her family's past and exploring themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of love.
5. Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life by Roald Dahl
   A collection of short stories, often darkly humorous and unexpected, this book features tales of rural life, eccentric characters, and surprising twists, showcasing Dahl's unique ability to blend the mundane with the bizarre in entertaining and thought-provoking stories from a master storyteller.
6. Miss Peabody's Inheritance by Elizabeth Jolley
   A lonely spinster librarian receives letters from a woman claiming to be an author, and the letters weave a captivating, fictional world blurring lines with reality; this quirky and charming novel explores themes of imagination, identity, and the desire for connection.
7. Johnno by David Malouf
   A semi-autobiographical novel set in Brisbane in the 1940s and 50s, this classic of Australian literature captures the spirit of a city, following the narrator's complex friendship with the enigmatic Johnno and exploring themes of identity, place, and the search for meaning.
8. Aspects of Love by David Garrett
   Set across Europe, this captivating and romantic tale is a passionate and intricate story of love, desire, and their consequences, following the tangled relationships of artists and lovers and exploring the many facets of love, from infatuation to enduring affection.
9. All the Green Year by Don Charlwood
   A nostalgic coming-of-age story set in rural Victoria during the 1920s, this warm and evocative portrait of a bygone era in Australia follows the experiences of a young boy growing up on a farm, capturing the rhythms of country life, school days, and early adventures.
10. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
    A poignant and heartbreaking story told from a young boy's perspective, Bruno's father is a Nazi officer, and they move near a concentration camp where Bruno befriends a boy on the other side of the fence, leading to tragedy in this powerful and accessible novel about the Holocaust.
11. Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
    A novel exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience in the face of tragedy, this moving and tender story follows a woman whose husband is in a coma, and she must navigate her life, exploring the quiet strength found in everyday moments and connection.
12. A Small Town in Germany by Le Carré
    Set in Bonn during the Cold War, this taut and atmospheric spy thriller begins when a British diplomat goes missing, prompting an intelligence officer to investigate, uncovering secrets and political intrigue while exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and international relations.
13. Switch Bitch by Roald Dahl
    Another collection of Roald Dahl's adult short stories, these tales feature dark humour, cunning characters, and shocking outcomes, exploring themes of deception, revenge, and the darker side of human nature in witty, twisted, and highly entertaining stories.
14. Capricorn by Xavier Herbert
    A monumental epic novel set in northern Australia, this sprawling saga is a landmark work in Australian literature, exploring the complex relationship between Indigenous and white Australians and tackling themes of race, land, identity, and injustice.
15. Fly Away Peter by David Malouf
    A novella set in Queensland and the battlefields of World War I, this lyrical and deeply moving meditation on life and death explores the beauty of the natural world and the devastating impact of war, following a young man's journey from idyllic birdwatching to the trenches.
16. The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag
    A historical novel set in 18th-century Naples, this rich and intellectual portrait of a fascinating era centers on the scandalous lives of Sir William Hamilton, Emma, and Nelson, exploring themes of art, passion, politics, and the eruption of Vesuvius.
17. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
    A powerful coming-of-age story set in South Africa under apartheid, this inspiring and epic tale of courage follows Peekay, an English boy fighting against injustice through boxing, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and determination.
18. Someone Like You by Roald Dahl
    A classic collection of Roald Dahl's adult short stories, this book features his signature dark humour, clever plots, and surprising twists, including famous stories like "Man from the South" and "Lamb to the Slaughter," offering entertaining and macabre tales that showcase Dahl's unique genius.