
In W. Somerset Maugham's classic novel "The Razor's Edge," readers are taken on a journey following the life of Larry Darrell, a World War I veteran in search of meaning and truth. The story delves into themes of spiritual enlightenment, personal growth, and the pursuit of one's essence. Through vibrant characters and rich narration, Maugham skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the societal constraints of the time and the individual quest for authenticity. Set against the backdrop of post-war uncertainty, the novel paints a poignant picture of self-discovery and the different paths one may take in the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a renowned British playwright, novelist, and short story writer. Born in Paris to English parents, Maugham was orphaned at a young age and raised by his uncle. He studied medicine at St. Thomas' Hospital in London but found his true calling in literature. Some of his most notable works include 'Of Human Bondage,' 'The Moon and Sixpence,' and 'The Razor's Edge.' Maugham's writing is characterized by his keen insight into human nature, social themes, and his elegant prose style. He was a master storyteller who influenced generations of writers and remains a significant figure in 20th-century literature.

Set in the decadent summer of 1922, this masterpiece follows mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway, the story unfolds in a world of lavish parties and empty morality, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the corruption of the American Dream. As Gatsby's facade crumbles, the novel reveals the hollow heart of the Jazz Age.

Blood Meridian is an epic novel of the violence and depravity that attended America's westward expansion, brilliantly subverting the conventions of the Western novel and the mythology of the Wild West. Based on historical events that took place on the Texas-Mexico border in the 1850s, it traces the fortunes of the Kid, a fourteen-year-old Tennesseean who stumbles into a nightmarish world where Indians are being murdered and the market for their scalps is thriving.

Shocking and controversial when it was first published in 1939, Steinbeck's Pulitzer prize-winning epic remains his undisputed masterpiece. Set against the background of dust bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of the Joad family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel West in search of the promised land. Their story is one of false hopes, thwarted desires and broken dreams, yet out of their suffering Steinbeck created a drama that is intensely human, yet majestic in its scale and moral vision; an eloquent tribute to the endurance and dignity of the human spirit.

by Evelyn Waugh
Evelyn Waugh's 'Brideshead Revisited' masterfully captures the essence of nostalgia and the complexities of class and religion in early 20th-century England. The novel follows Charles Ryder, an artist and army officer, as he reflects on his youth and intricate relationship with the aristocratic Flyte family. At its core, it is a poignant exploration of faith, love, and memory, set against the backdrop of the opulent Brideshead Castle. Through Waugh's lyrical prose, the narrative scrutinizes the decline of the British aristocracy and the relentless march of modernity. With its richly drawn characters and a profound sense of loss, it remains a classic meditation on the passage of time and the enduring pull of the past.