The Portrait of a Lady
Henry James
A captivating novel by Henry James, unfolds the story of a young American woman, Isabel Archer, as she navigates love, freedom, and societal expectations in 19th-century Europe. With its intricate characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of self-discovery.
The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
In the summer of 1956, Stevens, an ageing butler, embarks on a motoring trip through the West Country. His holiday is disturbed by memories of his past service to the late Lord Darlington, and painful recollections of his friendship with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton. Stevens is forced to wonder if all his actions were for the best after all in this sad and humorous love story.
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
A father and son journey through a post-apocalyptic America, facing unimaginable horrors and clinging to hope in a world stripped bare. Their bond is tested as they struggle for survival, offering a haunting meditation on love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, this novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, who is punished for committing adultery and forced to wear a scarlet letter "A". It explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in a rigid and unforgiving society.
The Secret History
Donna Tartt
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thought and life that is a world away from their peers. But their search for the transcendent leads them down a dangerous path, beyond experience, and into the terrifying realm of the forbidden, where morality dissolves and the only rules are those of beauty and obsession. A chilling story of obsession and deceit.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Shirley Jackson
A chilling tale of isolation, paranoia, and dark family secrets. Eighteen-year-old Mary Katherine Blackwood lives with her sister Constance and their Uncle Julian in a large manor, isolated from a hostile village after a family tragedy. As the outside world encroaches, Merricat will go to extreme lengths to protect her sister and their way of life.
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
A poignant tale of friendship and the American Dream set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Follow George and Lennie, two migrant workers, as they navigate the harsh realities of farm life in California, clinging to their shared dream of owning a small piece of land. A story of hope, hardship, and the enduring power of human connection.
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
Sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield has just been expelled from Pencey Prep. Rather than face his parents, he decides to spend a few days in New York City. Navigating adolescence and grappling with authenticity, Holden's experiences reveal his struggles with identity, connection, and the 'phoniness' he sees in the adult world.