Joseph Conrad, "Heart of Darkness"

In this story of the dark jungle and the evil powers seemingly hiding within it, there is also a strong strain of spirituality. In a sense, it's the story of selfish, groveling human beings held, unknowingly, in the center of an infinite force that knows exactly what it's about. There may be a lack of human 'peace' (i.e., happiness, contentment), but there's no lack of harmony. The jungle and the river and the universe are working together just as they should. The following quote portrays this:

"And this stillness of life did not in the least resemble a peace. It was the stillness of an implacable force brooding over an inscrutable intention."

 

The word "force" in that sentence could be replaced by "God". 

"Northanger Abbey", by Jane Austen

Catherine badly wanted to dance with Mr. Tilney, but he wandered off with another woman. Not a lot happening ...

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"Heart of Darkness", by Joseph Conrad

However, there is much happening in this book. Marlow is telling the story of his journey along the coast and into the jungle. I loved many passages, but these two were special:

"Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you-- smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, `Come and find out.'" 

... 

"The voice of the surf heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother. It was something natural, that had its reason, that had a meaning."