Books on Justice & Injustice

James Baldwin said, "It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have." In this collection, we've compiled texts that explore the idea of what justice is — and how it can thrive.

The Pillowman

by Martin McDonagh

Publication year 2003

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Mental Health, Siblings, Politics & Government, Art, Justice, Literature

Tags Horror & Suspense, Irish Literature, Drama

Martin McDonagh is a British Irish playwright and filmmaker known for his absurdist black humor. He drew inspiration for The Pillowman from his own personal affinity for fairytales and his realization that many children’s stories have subtly dark undertones. The play is about two brothers, Katurian and Michal, who are under investigation for a series of child murders that bear an uncanny resemblance to some of Katurian’s fictional stories.The Pillowman debuted its first public reading... Read The Pillowman Summary

The Pirate Queen

by Ariel Lawhon

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Love, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Coming of Age, The Past, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, War, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure

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The Plague

by Albert Camus

Publication year 1947

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Community, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Classic Fiction, Philosophy, Health, Absurdism, French Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Philosophy

The Plague, a philosophical novel by French author Albert Camus, was first published in 1947 and immediately won the prix des Critiques, a literary prize awarded to Francophone authors by the French publishing industry. Having also published The Stranger, The Myth of Sisyphus, and The Fall, Camus, an absurdist writer who wrote extensively in support of the French Resistance against Nazi Germany’s occupation of France, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. In... Read The Plague Summary

The Prayer Box

by Lisa Wingate

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Guilt, Hope, Memory, Mental Health, Midlife, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Mothers, Self Discovery, Politics & Government, Equality, Fate, Justice, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Christian, Religion & Spirituality, Romance, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Prince and the Pauper

by Mark Twain

Publication year 1881

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, American Literature, World History

The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale for Young People of All Ages is Mark Twain’s first historical fiction novel, published in 1881 in Canda and in America the following year. Set in 16th-century England during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Edward VI, the novel revolves around two identical boys: Henry’s heir, Prince Edward, and Tom Canty, a London beggar. After a chance meeting, the two decide to exchange roles, leading to a... Read The Prince and the Pauper Summary

The Promise

by Damon Galgut

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Justice, Colonialism

Tags Dramatic Literature, Historical Fiction, History: African , Social Justice, Race & Racism, African Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

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The Proving Ground

by Michael Connelly

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Regret, Disability, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Death, Daughters & Sons, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Economics, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science, Technology, Science/Technology, Gender & Feminism, Biography, US History

... Read The Proving Ground Summary