Secondhand Literary Fiction Bargain Book Box DSH1256

Secondhand Literary Fiction Bargain Book Box

Discover compelling narratives and thought-provoking themes with this selection of secondhand literary fiction. Each book in this box offers a unique reading experience, spanning diverse settings and character studies that will capture your imagination and leave a lasting impression. Perfect for the avid reader looking for quality literature at an unbeatable price. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Fig Tree by Arnold Zable
   This evocative novel transports readers to the vibrant and complex world of Melbourne, seen through the eyes of characters whose lives are intertwined with a single, enduring fig tree. Arnold Zable masterfully weaves together stories of immigration, family, and memory. It's a tale that explores the resilience of the human spirit and the deep roots of belonging.

2. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
   Jonathan Franzen's epic novel, Freedom, is a sweeping saga of an American family grappling with love, betrayal, and the search for personal meaning in a rapidly changing world. The story centers on the Berglunds, whose lives are a testament to both the aspirations and the failures of the modern era. It's a profound exploration of the ties that bind us and the freedoms we seek.

3. Atlantic Black by A. S. Patric
   This powerful novel plunges into the dark depths of human experience, following a protagonist caught in the undercurrents of a harsh Australian landscape. A. S. Patric crafts a gritty and unflinching narrative that explores themes of survival, identity, and the search for redemption. It's a story that confronts the bleakness of existence with raw honesty.

4. The Sugar Mother by Elizabeth Jolley
   Elizabeth Jolley's darkly witty novel, The Sugar Mother, delves into the complexities of desire, manipulation, and the often-unseen power dynamics within relationships. The story centers on a young man entangled with an older woman who holds a peculiar sway over his life. It’s a captivating and subtly unsettling exploration of human connection and its peculiar demands.

5. Invented Lives by Andrea Goldsmith
   Andrea Goldsmith's novel, Invented Lives, offers a poignant and insightful look at the creation of self and the relationships that shape us. Through the lives of its characters, the book examines how we construct our identities in the face of societal expectations and personal desires. It's a beautifully rendered exploration of the art of living and the stories we tell ourselves.

6. Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
   This gripping crime thriller plunges into the heart of India's opulent and dangerous underworld, following a young journalist's descent into the world of a powerful crime lord. Deepti Kapoor delivers a propulsive narrative filled with ambition, corruption, and the intoxicating allure of power. It's a story that exposes the brutal realities lurking beneath a glittering surface.

7. Poppy by Drusilla Modjeska
   Poppy is a poignant and lyrical exploration of a woman's life, from her childhood in colonial New Guinea to her experiences as an artist and observer of the world. Drusilla Modjeska crafts a deeply personal and insightful memoir that touches on themes of family, independence, and the enduring power of creative spirit. It’s a portrait of a life lived with quiet strength and profound observation.

8. Corfu by Robert Dessaix
   Robert Dessaix's beautifully written novel, Corfu, is a tender and introspective journey to the Greek island that captures the heart of its narrator. The book artfully blends personal history with philosophical reflection, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for connection. It’s a story that evokes the sensory richness of place and the enduring echoes of the past.

9. The Fortunes of Richard Mahony by Henry Handel Richardson
   This classic work offers a powerful and unflinching portrayal of a pioneering doctor and his struggles in the Australian goldfields. It's a story that captures the hardships of colonial life and the psychological toll of ambition and isolation. The narrative offers a profound look at the human cost of building a new world.

10. Midnight All Day by Hanif Kureishi
    Hanif Kureishi's collection of stories, Midnight All Day, offers a sharp and incisive look at contemporary life, exploring themes of desire, alienation, and the complexities of relationships in modern Britain. Each story is a finely crafted vignette, revealing the inner lives of characters navigating love, sex, and identity. It's a collection that captures the pulse of the urban experience.

11. The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
    Ayana Mathis's debut novel, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, follows the life of Hattie, a young woman who leaves Georgia for the North during the Great Migration, and her descendants. It's a powerful saga that explores the enduring legacy of family, resilience in the face of hardship, and the search for belonging across generations. The narrative is rich with the voices and experiences of Black America.

12. Yoss by Odo Hirsch
    This intriguing novel, Yoss, weaves a tale of mystery and self-discovery set against a backdrop of artistic and personal ambition. Odo Hirsch crafts a narrative that explores the creative process, the nature of truth, and the intricate ways in which lives intersect. It’s a story that will keep you guessing and reflecting long after you’ve turned the final page.

13. Spies by Michael Frayn
    Michael Frayn's clever novel, Spies, uses the innocent perspective of two young boys in wartime England to uncover the hidden complexities and moral ambiguities of adulthood. Through their childhood games and their observations of the people around them, the story subtly reveals the secrets and deceptions that shape their world. It’s a masterful exploration of innocence and espionage.

14. A Backward Place by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
    Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's novel, A Backward Place, offers a poignant and often humorous glimpse into the lives of Europeans seeking a simpler existence in India, only to find themselves entangled in the very complexities they sought to escape. The story gently critiques the aspirations of expatriates and the enduring allure of the exotic. It’s a finely observed character study of cultural displacement.

15. Three Dollars by Elliot Perlman
    Elliot Perlman's novel, Three Dollars, follows the journey of a man grappling with life's fundamental questions of happiness, meaning, and financial security in contemporary Australia. The story uses a series of philosophical meditations and everyday encounters to explore the pressures and paradoxes of modern existence. It’s a sharp and relatable examination of the pursuit of contentment.

16. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
    In Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones crafts a beautiful and moving story about the transformative power of literature and imagination, set against the backdrop of civil war on a small Pacific island. A young girl finds solace and connection through the readings of Charles Dickens by the island's only European resident. It's a powerful testament to how stories can sustain us in the darkest of times.

17. The Boy in the Moon by Kate O'Riordan
    Kate O'Riordan's novel, The Boy in the Moon, is a deeply moving and often challenging exploration of family, disability, and the unconventional ways love manifests. The story centers on a family navigating the complexities of raising a child with profound special needs. It’s a raw and honest look at the burdens and unexpected joys of unconditional love.

18. Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay
    A. Manette Ansay's novel, Vinegar Hill, tells the story of a young woman returning to her family's ancestral home in rural Wisconsin, where secrets and long-held resentments simmer beneath the surface. The narrative unravels the complex tapestry of family history and the enduring impact of the past. It’s a compelling and atmospheric exploration of memory and belonging.