Classic Fiction

Dark and whimsical tales from one of Japan's most beloved early twentieth-century writers. Japanese fairy tales - enchanting, enigmatic stories of animals, human beings, and the great natural world. Dark and innocent, sublime and whimsical, Miyazawa's stories have the ageless feel of the best fairy tales. There are animal allegories such as 'The Ungrateful Rat' where a rude rodent insults...

Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world. Madame Bovary tells the story of Emma, who is trapped in a disappointing marriage with a dull country doctor, and dreams of a life more like the sentimental novels she reads. In an attempt to escape the drab reality of her provincial...

Meet ten of literature's most iconic heroines, jacketed in bold portraits by female photographers from around the world. He must know by now, I should think, that I can give as good as I get! This is the story of Gigi, educated as a future courtesan in Paris. Her days are filled with cigars, lobster, lace, and superstitions. Bored and...

Soon to be a major TV series on Channel 4 and Hulu, starring George Clooney and Hugh Laurie. As seen on BBC Two's Between the Covers Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It's the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer...

Everyone belongs to everyone else. Read the dystopian classic that predicted the future and inspired the upcoming Sky Atlantic TV series. Welcome to New London. Everybody is happy here. Our perfect society achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. Now everyone belongs. You can be happy too. All you need to do...

WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH Winston Smith is a good worker. He supports the Party. He is good at his job rewriting history to Government specification. Big Brother watches him, but there is nothing to see. Winston's struggle against the totalitarian world he inhabits is a closely guarded secret. It exists only in his mind until...

Rediscover Alice on the 150th anniversary of the book's first publication, with this definitive adult edition. Celebrate 150 years of Alice Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass features one of the most beloved characters of English writing. Alice, a bright and inquisitive child, follows a white rabbit down a rabbit-hole one boring summer afternoon. At the bottom,...

Painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts and presented for the first time as a standalone work, the epic tale of The Fall of Gondolin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, Balrogs, Dragons and Orcs, and the rich landscape and creatures unique to Tolkien’s Middle-earth. In the tale of The Fall of...

Maigret's Pickpocket is an intriguing tale where Inspector Maigret himself falls victim to a curious incident involving a pickpocket. The story begins when a pickpocket steals Maigret's wallet, only to return it the next day with the unusual condition that Maigret visits the thief's apartment. Intrigued, Maigret complies, leading him to the unexpected discovery of the thief's dead wife. This...

Maigret's Failure delves into a complex intertwining of duty and personal history as Maigret's integrity is put to the test. Charged with the protection of a wealthy butcher named Fumal, Maigret finds himself conflicted between his professional duty and a childhood grudge that resurfaces unexpectedly. The tension escalates when Fumal is viciously murdered, compelling Maigret to set aside his personal...

A classic 1960s novel of J.G. Ballard-ian strangeness, from one of Britain's most haunting and unforgettable voices. The world is threatened by encroaching ice, creeping down day by day from the polar ice caps. The imminent catastrophe has thrown the world's governments into chaos, and no one knows whether the disaster has an environmental or nuclear cause, or how soon...

A darkly entertaining vision of human weakness, envy, and governmental interference taken to their most chilling extremes. You'll never be happy until you can think and feel and look like other people. Jael 97 is an Alpha. Deemed over-privileged for her beauty, she is compelled to report to the Ministry of Facial Justice, where her face will be reconstructed. For...

A searing exploration of a woman's hidden destructive impulses from one of the great writers of the twentieth century. 'There was no longer that ambivalent inconsistency between her words and thoughts, no more fever, no more artificial heat, no more vagueness. Instead was the truth in all its rawness, in black and white, in stark, cruel lines.' Adrift and alone,...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary ...revealing great shining fangs more than three inches long. Some of the most macabre and wonderful of all Chinese stories, including The Golden Goblet, Scorched Moth the Daoist and The Black Beast. Introducing Little Black Classics - 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the...

Little Black Classics - 80 books at 80 pence each to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary It was as if the sea, breaking down the wall protecting all the homes of the town, had sent a wave over her head One of Conrad's most powerful, gripping stories Introducing Little Black Classics - 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary The Yellow Wall-Paper "The colour is hideous enough, and unreliable enough, and infuriating enough, but the pattern is torturing." Written with barely controlled fury after she was confined to her room for "nerves" and forbidden to write, Gilman's pioneering feminist horror story scandalised nineteenth-century readers with its portrayal...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary 'There sat the dog with eyes as big as mill wheels' Though criticised for their anarchic immorality when first published, Hans Christian Andersen's tales made him an international star, taken to the hearts of children and adults for their beauty, sorrow and strangeness.

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was a groan of mortal terror ... the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul. Stories about murder, mystery and madness, portraying the author's feverish imagination at its creative height. Introducing Little Black Classics...

46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 'PALE TERROR GOES BEFORE HIM, DEATH AND DEVASTATION FOLLOW!'

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. The Steel Flea by Nikolay Leskov is a fascinating tale filled with vibrant characters and incredible feats. The story takes the reader on a journey full of whimsy and ingenuity, showcasing Leskov's unique storytelling abilities. 'The Steel Flea' features intriguing elements, such as the scene where an order...

The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-tongue is part of the Little Black Classics series, a collection crafted to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. "In two I'll slice the hair-seat / of Helga's kiss-gulper." This captivating saga weaves the tale of a love triangle amidst Icelandic society, showcasing themes of rivalry, love, and vengeance. The vivid poetry and dramatic elements bring to life...

The Reckoning by Edith Wharton is part of Little Black Classics, a new series celebrating Penguin's 80th anniversary. 'If marriage was the slow life-long acquittal of a debt contracted in ignorance, then marriage was a crime against human nature...'

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary The Old Man of the Moon by Shen Fu invites readers into a world of emotion and mystery with the poignant question: 'Our passion was so great. Will the Old Man understand and help us once again?' This sentiment captures the essence of the narrative, appealing to those...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. The Nose by Nikolay Gogol tells the peculiar and surreal tale of a man who loses his nose. Incredibly, it begins leading a life of its own, even assuming the identity of a higher-ranking official. 'Strangely enough, I mistook it for a gentleman at first. Fortunately, I had...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. I could see that she was still terribly afraid, but I didn't soften anything; instead, seeing that she was afraid I deliberately intensified it. Based on a St Petersburg news report, Dostoyevsky's searing tale of a man who drives his wife to suicide.

The Life of a Stupid Man is part of the Little Black Classics series, launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. "What is the life of a human being - a drop of dew, a flash of lightning? This is so sad, so sad." This collection features autobiographical stories from Ryunosuke Akutagawa, one of Japan's masters of modernist storytelling. These pieces...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. The Gate of the Hundred Sorrows opens with, “Mind you, it was a pukka, respectable opium-house, and not one of those stifling, sweltering chandoo-khanas that you can find all over the City.” Kipling first became famous for his pungent, harsh and shocking stories of northwest India, where he...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary The Figure in the Carpet 'Did she know and if she knew would she speak?'

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary 'She has many rare and charming qualities, but Sobriety is not one of them.'

The Atheist's Mass is part of the Little Black Classics series, launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. "This is as much a mystery as the Immaculate Conception, which of itself must make a doctor an unbeliever." The enigmatic tale unfolds in true Balzacian style, exploring the dichotomy between faith and scepticism, belief and science, through the eyes of a doctor...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts explores the macabre world of murder as an art form. The author enthralls readers with his satirical and darkly humorous discourse. 'People begin to see that something more goes to the composition of a fine murder than two blockheads...

Little Black Classics – the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary Mrs Rosie and the Priest 'When the men were off somewhere, he would come visiting their wives more solicitously than any priest they'd had before...' Mrs Rosie and the Priest is part of the delightful collection of short stories showcasing Giovanni Boccaccio's wit and insight into human nature....

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary "And again, as always, he had the feeling he was holding something that never was quite his - his. Something too delicate, too precious, that would fly away once he let go." Three sharp and powerful short stories from Katherine Mansfield, one of the genre's all-time masters. Introducing...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary Lord Arthur Savile's Crime He was not blind to the fact that murder, like the religions of the Pagan world, requires a victim as well as a priest...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary No, no, I've got your word for it, I've got to die ... you promised me ... you told me ... Turgenev's accounts of hunting in rural Russia, and the extraordinary characters he meets there. Introducing Little Black Classics - 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. Although he feared death, he could not stop. "If I stopped now, after coming all this way - well, they'd call me an idiot!"

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary \"Oh, good God,\" he kept saying with great relish. \"Good God...\"

Femme Fatale by Guy de Maupassant is part of the Little Black Classics series, a new collection launched to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. “They trailed in all their vulgar glory over the fresh green grass...” This evocative phrase captures the essence of de Maupassant's exploration of human nature and societal norms, which are deftly woven throughout the narrative.

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary. One of 80 Little Black Classics - 80 books at 80 pence each to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of the Penguin Classics list - from drama to poetry, from fiction to history, with books taken from around the world...

Rediscover the Puffin Classics - the world's favourite stories. Meg is the eldest and on the brink of love. Then there's tomboy Jo who longs to be a writer. Sweet-natured Beth always puts others first, and finally there's Amy, the youngest and most precocious. Together they are the March sisters. Even though money is short, times are tough, and their...

A full-colour short story taken from the world of the Magic Faraway Tree. Perfect for new readers. Discover the magic! Beth, Joe, Frannie and Rick thought they had had quite enough of adventures, but soon go up the Faraway Tree again and find themselves in the Land of Dreams. The dastardly Sandman makes them fall asleep and Silky has to...

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of those 11 timeless classics that have stood the test of time, with enduring themes that have proved popular through the ages. Each edition includes its own concise introduction to guide the reader's thoughts and launch them into the text. These editions are designed to be accessible for both the academic...

A full-colour short story taken from the world of the Magic Faraway Tree. Perfect for new readers. Discover the magic! In the Land of Enchantments, everything shines and shimmers and moves. But it's full of witches, enchanters, and goblins, and some not very nice spells! The stories about the Magic Faraway Tree have been entertaining children for more than 80...

'An extraordinary, hallucinatory accomplishment' - KAREN JOY FOWLER '[A] reminder about what it means to be alive . . . with razor-sharp prose and diction so precise' - MORGAN TALTY 'Read it and be changed' - B. PLADEK Something terrible has happened. In a mysterious apartment filled with ghosts, our unnamed narrator attempts to explain this to her child -...

Look for hidden surprises on every page with Mickey, Simba, Bambi, and more Disney and Pixar friends! Keep little hands busy finding and lifting 20 flaps. Disney Baby Peek A Book Lift A Flap & Find Board encourages focus and exploration, and helps build early learning skills.

This beautiful edition brings together four volumes in one stunning slipcased gift book: Winnie-the-Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh is nothing less than a true children’s classic. Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear of very little brain, but thanks to his friends Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Christopher...

Begin your journey into Middle-earth. Darkness Will Bind Them… watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 on Prime Video. The second part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship is scattered. Some prepare for war against the Dark Lord. Some fight against the treachery of the corrupt wizard Saruman. Only...

Begin your journey into Middle-earth. Darkness Will Bind Them… watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 on Prime Video. The first part of J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings. In a quiet village in the Shire, young Frodo is about to receive a gift that will change his life forever....

A brilliant new translation, based on Koestler's long-lost original manuscript - the chilling, unforgettable portrayal of a Soviet revolutionary who falls foul of the regime to which he has dedicated his life. A brilliant new translation of Koestler's long-lost original manuscript. A chilling and unforgettable 20th century classic. From a prison cell in an unnamed country run by a totalitarian...

The stories of Milly-Molly-Mandy and her friends have charmed generations of children since their first publication in 1928. Milly-Molly-Mandy lives in a tiny village in the heart of the countryside, where life is full of everyday adventures. Whether she is minding the village shop or going blackberry picking, you're sure to have fun when Milly-Molly-Mandy is around! Perfect for reading...

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is the author’s most famous murder mystery, reissued with a new cover to coincide with the hugely anticipated 2017 film adaptation. Just after midnight, a snowdrift halts the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is unexpectedly full for the time of year, but by morning, it has one passenger fewer....

Three-volume, deluxe slipcased hardback set of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and dozens of drawings appearing for the very first time, together with three removable art cards and two foldout maps. Since it was first published, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured....

In the distant highlands, a puma named Dusk is killing shepherds. Down in the lowlands, twins Iris and Floyd are out of work, money, and friends. When they hear that a bounty has been placed on Dusk, they reluctantly decide to join the hunt. As they journey up into this wild, haunted country, they discover there's far more to the...

HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘The creature’s teeth were buried in the gunwale, and it lifted the whole thing out of the water like a lion can a roebuck…’ Scientist Pierre Aronnax, together with his faithful servant Conseil and the whaler Ned Land, is invited to join a hazardous voyage to the Pacific Ocean...

The fantastic collection of Anne of Green Gables stories is now available in this epic Anne of Green Gables: The Complete Collection, which contains all eight books in the series. Written by the very talented L. M. Montgomery. Includes: Anne of Green Gables Anne of Avonlea Anne of the Island Anne of Windy Poplars Anne’s House of Dreams Rainbow Valley...

The Classic Adventures Of Paddington Bear The Complete Collection by Michael Bond is a delightful compilation of stories that capture the heart-warming and humorous escapades of the friendly bear from darkest Peru. Join Paddington Bear as he arrives at Paddington Station with nothing but a suitcase, a half-eaten marmalade sandwich, and a label around his neck that reads, "Please look...

Discover the magical beginnings of a cultural phenomenon with the 25th Anniversary Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. This special collector's edition celebrates a quarter-century since the first publication of the story that introduced readers to the wizarding world and its unforgettable characters. Harry Potter is a seemingly ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard...

The God of the Woods tells a haunting and gripping tale set within the dense, mysterious forests of the Pacific Northwest. The Van Laar family is no stranger to tragedy. Fifteen years ago, they were thrust into the public eye when their young son, Ethan, vanished without a trace in the very woods that bordered their home. Despite exhaustive search...

A deeply affecting tale of grief, hope, and resilient love from internationally acclaimed author Paullina Simons, The Bridge to Holy Cross is both an intimate historical journey and an epic romance. The Bridge to Holy Cross transports readers to a world at war, against which the profound love between Tatiana Metanova and Major Alexander Belov unfolds. Tatiana, a courageous eighteen-year-old,...

Street Child by Berlie Doherty is an unforgettable and stirring tale set against the backdrop of Victorian London. The narrative follows the heartrending journey of young Jim Jarvis, a tenacious orphan who finds himself alone in a harsh and unfeeling world. His plight serves as the inspiration for Dr Barnardo's establishment of his renowned children's homes, offering a glimpse into...

Find out all Peter's favourite things about Christmas in this lift-the-flap book with an extra special pop-up! As winter settles all around and Christmas Day draws near... Peter and his friends have lots to do at this time of year! It's Christmas, and Peter has lots to do at this time of year. Follow him and all his friends as...

Reissued with a stunning new cover, Biggles: The Camels Are Coming is the quintessential introduction to a classic adventure series that has captivated generations. This gripping tale is set during the final days of the First World War, capturing the intense and perilous life of air combat high above the treacherous trenches. Squadron Leader James Bigglesworth, known affectionately as Biggles,...

The first magical story in the Faraway Tree series by one of the world's most beloved children's authors, Enid Blyton. This enchanting adventure begins when siblings Joe, Beth, and Frannie move to the countryside and discover an eerie and captivating forest right on the doorstep of their new home. Dubbed the Enchanted Wood, this mystical woodland is home to the...

The Little Engine That Could Saves Christmas is an enchanting holiday picture book, featuring a fun pop-up Christmas tree! The Little Engine That Could is thrilled to celebrate Christmas with all her friends! But on the night of Christmas Eve, one of Santa's elves visits her, asking for help. Santa Claus has come down with a case of the Frosty...

Embrace the festive spirit with Peter Rabbit Tales: A Christmas Wish, a delightful and heartwarming story set in the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter. As Christmas Eve unfolds, excitement fills the air for Peter Rabbit and his sisters, who eagerly await the arrival of Father Christmas. However, Peter harbours a secret worry. He knows that Father Christmas won't visit if...

Immerse yourself in the epic adventures of Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. This timeless classic, available in a single-volume, paperback edition, brings together all three books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, along with the full Appendices. The story begins in the idyllic Shire, where...

In a seemingly perfect world, Jonas begins to see the flaws beneath the surface. The Giver is the classic award-winning novel by Lois Lowry that laid the foundation for the dystopian genre and inspired a major motion picture adaptation in 2014, featuring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, and Taylor Swift. Set in a future society where there is no...

Murder in LaMut is the second novel in Raymond E. Feist's widely celebrated Riftwar collaboration, co-written with the talented Joel Rosenberg. This riveting fantasy tale seamlessly intertwines intense action, rich world-building, and nuanced characters. Set against the backdrop of Feist's best-loved series, the story plunges readers back into a mythical realm where danger and adventure lurk at every corner. The...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a timeless classic that delves into themes of love, social standing, and the often complex dance between first impressions and reality. Set in the Regency era, the story revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the witty and resilient Elizabeth Bennet and her elder sister Jane. When two wealthy young gentlemen,...

Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda. Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—as the daughter of a rancher in Mexico, her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that...

Evidence that clears the name of a boy sentenced for killing his adopted mother arrives too late to save his life – so who did kill her? According to the courts, Jacko Argyle bludgeoned his mother to death with a poker. The sentence was life imprisonmentBut when Dr Arthur Calgary turns up a year later with the proof that confirms...

A DELIGHTFUL ANTHOLOGY OF SPIKE MILLIGAN'S BEST WRITING FOR CHILDREN Spike Milligan's publishing career began over forty years ago when Silly Verse for Kids was published in 1959. His poems were inspired by listening to his own children, and subsequently his grandchildren, and marvelling at the way they could invent new words or incorporate sound effects into their everyday language....

Find your dreams in this beautiful boxed set of board books from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wonderful Things You Will Be. Find your dreams in this beautiful boxed set of board books from theNew York Timesbestselling author ofThe Wonderful Things You Will Be. Ideal for bedtime and daytime reading, the books in this irresistible Emily Winfield...

A special edition of Emily Rodda’s award-winning Finders Keepers and its thrilling sequel, The Timekeeper. Patrick is excited when a computer message invites him to compete for fabulous prizes in a TV game show called Finders Keepers. He has no idea that the show is out of this world! Soon he will be a Finder, crossing the mysterious Barrier between...

Guy Mannering is an astrologer who only half-believes in his art. Instead he places his faith in patriarchal power, wealth and social position. But the Scotland of this novel is a nation in which the old hierarchies are breaking down and Guy must learn the limits of the nabob's authority in a society in which each social group - from...

Featuring one of her most likeable characters, this sparkling love story set in a seaside resort is Jane Austen's final finished work. Since Anne Elliot eight years ago rejected the marriage proposal of Captain Wentworth, a penniless naval officer, she has resigned herself to a quiet life at home, tending to the imagined needs of her spoiled sisters and vain...