Loyalty & Betrayal

The texts in this thematic collection organized around the idea of Loyalty & Betrayal range from Dennis Lehane's Mystic River to Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat. But each book explores the idea in its own way, revealing the intricate ways we may maintain loyalty at all costs — or test the bonds of family and friend relationships through deep betrayal.

The Godfather

by Mario Puzo

Publication year 1968

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Masculinity, Family, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Dramatic Literature

The Godfather, by American author Mario Puzo, was published in 1969 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. It was an immediate success, remaining on the New York Times Bestseller List for 67 weeks and selling over nine million copies in two years. The book was lauded for its authenticity, despite the fact that Puzo had no real-life experience with the Mafia, though he did grow up in Vito Corleone’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. In 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s... Read The Godfather Summary

The God of Small Things

by Arundhati Roy

Publication year 1997

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies

Tags Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature, Indian Literature, Classic Fiction

The God of Small Things, the debut novel of Indian architect (Suzanna) Arundhati Roy, was published in 1997. A family tragedy centered on the emotional and psychological evolution of fraternal twins Rahel and Estha Ipe, the novel, set in Ayemenem, a remote coastal town in the state of Kerala in southwestern India, shuttles between events in 1969—when the twins, age seven, are involved in the accidental drowning of their British cousin—and more than 25 years... Read The God of Small Things Summary

The Golden Bowl

by Henry James

Publication year 1904

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Love, Shame & Pride, Midlife, Future, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Fathers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, American Literature, US History, World History

The Golden Bowl is a 1904 novel by Henry James. The novel explores the intricacies of marriage and affairs in the early 19th century through the affair of Amerigo and Charlotte, who were once in love but too poor to marry. Amerigo instead marries Maggie, and Charlotte marries Maggie’s father, a wealthy American museum curator. While Amerigo is at first happy with his new wife, the time she spends with her father creates an opportunity... Read The Golden Bowl Summary

The Good Sister

by Sally Hepworth

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Siblings, Truth & Lies, Mental Health, Femininity, Childhood & Youth, Family, Mothers, Self Discovery, Beauty, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Diversity, Grief & Death, Mental Illness, Parenting, Relationships, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Good Sister Summary

The Grandest Game

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Memory, Revenge, Death, The Past, Fathers, Siblings, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Fate, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Horror & Suspense

... Read The Grandest Game Summary

The Great Greene Heist

by Varian Johnson

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Revenge, Childhood & Youth, Friendship, Teamwork, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Science & Technology

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Arts & Culture, Modern Classic Fiction

The Great Greene Heist is a middle grade novel by Varian Johnson that follows Jackson Greene, a middle school boy and nearly reformed prankster, who tries to win his crush through hijinks. The novel was named Publisher’s Best Summer Book of 2014, ALA ALSC Notable Children’s Book in 2015, and received a Kirkus Star Review. Johnson published the sequel To Catch a Cheat in 2016. Johnson is also the author of The Parker Inheritance, which... Read The Great Greene Heist Summary

The Great Santini

by Pat Conroy

Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Fear, Love, Masculinity, Coming of Age

Tags Life-Inspired Fiction, Military & War, Southern Literature, Historical Fiction

Pat Conroy’s 1976 novel, The Great Santini, is a semi-autobiographical work of fiction that explores the tumultuous life of a military family in the American South during the early 1960s. The story centers on Ben Meecham, the eldest son of Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meecham, a charismatic but violently abusive Marine Corps fighter pilot. As Ben navigates his 18th year, he grapples with the intense psychological conflict of loving and fearing his father, whose brutal warrior... Read The Great Santini Summary

The Housemaid's Wedding

by Freida McFadden

Publication year 2024

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Gratitude, Hope, Love, Memory, Revenge, Femininity, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Death, Appearance & Reality, Marriage, Mothers, Immigration, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Love & Sexuality, Romance

... Read The Housemaid's Wedding Summary

The Hungry Woman

by Cherríe Moraga

Publication year 2001

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Revenge, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Language, Mental Health, Race, Sexual Identity, Death, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Drama, LGBTQ+, Gender & Feminism, Science Fiction

... Read The Hungry Woman Summary