General fiction represents a broad literary category encompassing narrative works that do not fit into specific genre classifications like mystery, science fiction or romance. These stories focus on realistic characters, complex human experiences, and nuanced explorations of life’s challenges, relationships and personal growth.
About A Boy – Summary About a Boy is a 1998 novel by British author Nick Hornby, set in London in the early 1990s. The story revolves around two protagonists: Will Freeman, a 36-year-old bachelor who avoids responsibility and lives off royalties from a Christmas song his father wrote, and Marcus Brewer, a socially awkward 12-year-old […]
Foucault’s Pendulum – Summary Foucault’s Pendulum is a complex and intellectually stimulating novel that weaves together elements of conspiracy theories, historical mysteries, and philosophical musings. The story revolves around three editors working at a vanity press in Milan: Casaubon, Jacopo Belbo and Diotallevi. Initially sceptical of the occult manuscripts they encounter in their work, they
The Robber Bride – Summary The Robber Bride is a captivating novel that weaves together the lives of three women—Tony, Charis, and Roz—whose paths are forever altered by the enigmatic and destructive Zenia. Set in Toronto, the story begins with the three friends meeting for their monthly lunch at a trendy restaurant called Toxique. Their
Cat’s Eye – Summary Cat’s Eye is a haunting exploration of childhood trauma and its lasting impact on adult life. The novel follows Elaine Risley, a successful painter in her forties, as she returns to Toronto for a retrospective exhibition of her work. This homecoming triggers a flood of memories from her past, particularly focusing
The Handmaid’s Tale – Summary Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is a chilling dystopian novel set in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian regime that has replaced the United States. Gilead is governed by a strict interpretation of Christian theology, where women are stripped of their rights and reduced to roles based on their reproductive capabilities.
East of Eden – Summary East of Eden is a multi-generational saga set primarily in California’s Salinas Valley, spanning from the American Civil War to World War I. The novel intertwines the stories of two families: the Hamiltons and the Trasks. At its core, the narrative draws inspiration from the biblical tale of Cain and
Of Mice and Men – Summary Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in California, “Of Mice and Men” tells the story of two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small. George, intelligent but uneducated, acts as a protector and guide to Lennie, a large, strong man with a mental disability. The pair share
The Old Man and the Sea – Summary The Old Man and the Sea is a poignant tale of an ageing Cuban fisherman named Santiago, who has endured 84 days without catching a fish. Despite his misfortune, Santiago remains determined and optimistic. On the 85th day, he ventures far into the Gulf Stream, where he
