Dense, transcendental, political, diabolical. Filled with pain but without self pity. Also has a sense of humour if you look for it.

Brilliant Dostoyevsky-like examination of conscience, Empire, and imprisonment that questions the values of 'civilisation'.

Laurence Rees' brilliant history of the biggest killing factory in history. Looks at how people behave in extreme situations and includes vital interviews with victims and perpetrators alike.

Forget the film, Ballards' semi-autobiographical war novel is graphic and surreal in its descriptions of death and disease in Japanese occupied China.

Absorbing novel about devil worship, child killing, and the downfall, both morally and socially, of Gilles des Rais - one time hero of France and comrade in arms of Joan of Arc.