John Fante does the down-and-out Americana better than most. This is his flop-house masterpiece.

For Roger Kahn, Brooklyn wasn't just a place for a team to play, but also popular culture on toast.

Martin Amis, meet Josef Stalin: From there on in its invective and left-bashing toward those who were duped.

Lorrie Moore's Benna Carpenter is bewitchingly ageless as she struggles to figure out just who she is.

An Opus Dei priest in Chile confesses his life's flaws, giving Bolaño means to outline the church-Pinochet axis.

Jean-Dominque Bauby lived in a conscious coma for two years and dictated this reminiscence through blinking.

The pride in this case is often pride violated, which the gruff Lombardi refused to do.

Sixteen-year-old Frank is an island serial killer who likes wasps and reads the future.

Annoyed at your computer? Having a software breakdown? Do yourself a favor and pick up Ellen Ullman.

Jim Crace shows off his culinary side in dozens of cleverly beautiful parables about food, love, and more food.