Secondhand Literature Bargain Book Box SP2269

Secondhand Literature Bargain Book Box

This compelling collection of twenty-one books showcases a diverse range of literary styles, from the sharp social observation of Anita Brookner and Penelope Fitzgerald to the experimental prose of Max Porter and A.L. Kennedy. The box features celebrated works by Australian authors like Shirley Hazzard and Randolph Stow, alongside international classics by Doris Lessing, William Trevor, and Margaret Atwood. It explores themes of love, grief, isolation, and identity through finely crafted narratives that have stood the test of time. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Gate of Angels by Penelope Fitzgerald Set in 1912 Cambridge, this novel follows Fred Fairly, a junior fellow at a college where women and unreason are forbidden. Following a bicycle accident, he finds himself sharing a bed with a stranger named Daisy, an event that upends his orderly life. Fitzgerald explores the clash between science, faith, and the chaotic nature of love with her trademark wit and precision.

2. The Act of Love by Karin Petersen-Schaefer This intense psychological novel delves into the complexities of desire and obsession within a marriage. It examines the darker corners of intimacy and the sacrifices individuals make in the name of love. The narrative challenges conventional romantic ideals, presenting a raw and unsettling portrait of a relationship.

3. The Prodigy by Hermann Hesse Hans Giebenrath is a gifted young student pushed to the brink by the pressures of the academic system and societal expectations. As he struggles to find his own identity amidst the rigid discipline of his school, he faces a tragic decline. Hesse’s critique of the educational system is a poignant coming-of-age story about the loss of innocence and the crushing weight of conformity.

4. Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood This collection of ten short stories explores the lives of women navigating relationships, history, and the Canadian landscape. Atwood’s sharp, often gothic, prose delves into themes of betrayal, memory, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface of ordinary lives. The stories range from a bog man discovery to the dynamics of a summer camp, all united by a sense of unease.

5. I for Isobel by Amy Witting Isobel Callaghan is a young woman struggling to find her place in a world that seems hostile to her imagination and independence. After a difficult childhood with a cruel mother, she seeks solace in literature and attempts to carve out a life for herself in Sydney. This Australian classic is a moving portrait of an artist as a young woman finding her voice.

6. The Perfect Place by Sheila Kohler A nameless woman recounts a summer spent in a Swiss hotel, but her narrative is unreliable, revealing repressed memories and a disturbing past. The story unfolds as a psychological mystery, hinting at a crime or trauma that the protagonist refuses to fully acknowledge. Kohler creates a tense, atmospheric study of denial and the fragmented nature of memory.

7. The High Cost of Living by Marge Piercy Leslie, a grad student and lesbian, forms an unlikely and intense friendship with a teenage girl named Honor. Their relationship exposes the class divides and social struggles of 1970s Detroit, challenging both characters to confront their identities. Piercy writes a gritty, honest novel about the search for connection in a fragmented society.

8. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo Told from the perspective of Joey, a farm horse sold to the army during World War I, this novel is a powerful anti-war story. Joey witnesses the horrors of the trenches and the bond between soldiers on both sides of the conflict. It is a moving tale of loyalty, courage, and the enduring friendship between a boy and his horse.

9. Incidents in the Rue Laugier by Anita Brookner Maud Gonthier, a young French woman, meets a dashing Englishman and embarks on a life that feels like an accident rather than a choice. Through the eyes of her daughter, the novel reconstructs Maud’s secret history and the stifling nature of her marriage. Brookner examines the quiet tragedies of a life unlived and the burden of family secrets.

10. The Bay of Noon by Shirley Hazzard Jenny, a young English woman, arrives in post-war Naples and is swept up into a circle of sophisticated and complex characters. The vibrant, chaotic city becomes a backdrop for her sentimental education as she navigates love and betrayal. Hazzard’s prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the beauty and melancholy of Italy.

11. The Love Department by William Trevor Edward Blakeston-Smith is hired by the "Love Department" of a women's magazine to track down a charming philanderer named Septimus Tuam. As he follows Tuam across London, Edward becomes entangled in the lives of the lonely women the man has deceived. Trevor delivers a darkly comic and compassionate look at the absurdities of romance and the pain of loneliness.

12. The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing Harriet and David Lovatt achieve their dream of a large, happy family until the birth of their fifth child, Ben, who is violent and strange. Ben’s disruptive presence tears the family apart, forcing Harriet to choose between her son and the rest of her children. Lessing writes a terrifying domestic horror story that questions the limits of maternal love and societal acceptance.

13. Eclipse by John Banville Alexander Cleave, an actor who has lost his ability to perform, retreats to his childhood home to confront his ghosts. He is haunted by memories of his family and a sense of impending doom, amplified by the presence of strange squatters. Banville’s prose is dense and lyrical, exploring the nature of identity, performance, and the fragility of the mind.

14. Fineflour by Gillian Mears Set in a small town by a river in New South Wales, this novel weaves together the stories of its eccentric inhabitants over several decades. It captures the rhythms of rural life, the weight of history, and the profound connection between people and the land. Mears writes with a distinct, earthy voice that brings the Australian landscape vividly to life.

15. Look Who's Morphing by Tom Cho In this collection of surreal and humorous stories, the narrator shapeshifts into everything from a giant robot to Suzi Quatro. Cho uses pop culture tropes to explore themes of identity, migration, and the fluidity of the self. It is a playful and inventive work that challenges the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

16. Short Story Favourites compiled by Walter McVitty This anthology gathers a selection of classic and contemporary short stories designed to introduce readers to the best of the form. It features a diverse range of voices and styles, offering a snapshot of the literary landscape. It is a perfect collection for those who enjoy the brevity and impact of a well-crafted tale.

17. Brrm! Brrm! by Clive James Akira Suzuki, a Japanese graduate student, comes to London and finds himself the unlikely center of attention in high society. Through a series of misunderstandings and cultural clashes, James satirizes the British class system and the celebrity culture of the 1980s. It is a witty, fast-paced comedy of manners from a celebrated cultural critic.

18. The Fly in the Ointment by Alice Thomas Ellis As Christmas approaches, a woman reflects on her life, her loves, and the annoyances of the festive season with a sharp, sardonic eye. The novel is a meditation on the quiet desperation of domestic life and the search for spiritual meaning. Ellis writes with a distinctively dry wit and a deep understanding of human frailty.

19. Tourmaline by Randolph Stow In the isolated, dying town of Tourmaline in the Australian desert, the arrival of a water diviner named Michael Random disrupts the stagnant lives of the residents. He promises salvation, but his presence unleashes religious fervor and reveals the town's deep spiritual thirst. Stow’s novel is a poetic, allegorical masterpiece about faith, the environment, and the search for redemption.

20. Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter In the wake of his wife's sudden death, a father and his two young sons are visited by Crow, a chaotic and nurturing trickster figure. Crow stays to help them navigate their grief, blending poetry, fable, and essay into a singular narrative. It is a raw, heartbreaking, and unexpectedly funny exploration of loss and healing.

21. Night Geometry and the Garscadden Trains by A.L. Kennedy This collection of short stories dissects the lives of ordinary people in Scotland, revealing the quiet despair and occasional hope that defines them. Kennedy writes with a precise, unsparing gaze about relationships, loneliness, and the struggle to connect. Her prose is marked by a dark humor and a deep empathy for the marginalized.