J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy story about the adventures of a bewitched toy dog, written before The Hobbit.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize–winning novel The Remains of the Day comes a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory. In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share. By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.

'It happen'd one Day about Noon going towards my Boat, I was exceeding surpriz'd with the Print of a Man's naked Foot on the Shore, which was very plain to be seen in the Sand: I stood like one Thunder-struck ...' Robinson Crusoe (1719) is one of the most famous adventure stories ever written. The account of a sailor shipwrecked on a desert island for twenty-eight years, it is also a tale of mythic proportions, an allegory, and a spiritual autobiography. J. M. Coetzee is Professor of General Literature at the University of Cape Town. His books include Waiting for the Barbarians (1980), Life and Times of Michael K (winner of the Booker Prize, 1983), and White Writing (1988).

Packaged in handsome, affordable trade editions, Clydesdale Classics is a new series of essential literary works. The series features literary phenomena with influence and themes so great that, after their publication, they changed literature forever. From the musings of literary geniuses such as Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter, to the striking personal narratives from Harriet Jacobs in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, this new series is a comprehensive collection of our history through the words of an exceptional few. Ernest Hemingway once said: “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.” Often referred to as “the great American novel,” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn defined American literature with its richness of characters, colorful vernacular, and vibrant depictions of the American Midwest. Told in the first-person from the viewpoint of the classic protagonist, the satirical narrative follows young “Huck” Finn as he searches for escape and adventure along the Mississippi River. The story begins where Twain’s previous novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, left off: Huck and his friend Tom Sawyer come into a large sum of money, and Huck is adopted by a middle-class widow who attempts to civilize him. Accustomed to a poor, destitute existence and vagabonding with his abusive alcoholic father, Huck quickly becomes dissatisfied with the confines and rigidity of his new life. When his father returns and begins to harass him for money, Huck is kidnapped and taken to his father’s cabin, where he longs to escape. After faking his own death, Huck escapes to Jackson’s Island where he meets a slave named Jim, who is also running away. Together, they travel on a raft up the Mississippi River in search of freedom. An absolute, uncontested classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the greatest coming-of-age adventure tales of our time.

A thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code.

Considered to be one of Agatha Christie's greatest, and also most controversial mysteries, 'The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd' breaks the rules of traditional mystery. The peaceful English village of King’s Abbot is stunned. The widow Ferrars dies from an overdose of Veronal. Not twenty-four hours later, Roger Ackroyd—the man she had planned to marry—is murdered. It is a baffling case involving blackmail and death that taxes Hercule Poirot’s “little grey cells” before he reaches one of the most startling conclusions of his career. Librarian's note: the first fifteen novels in the Hercule Poirot series are 1) The Mysterious Affair at Styles, 1920; 2) The Murder on the Links, 1923; 3) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, 1926; 4) The Big Four, 1927; 5) The Mystery of the Blue Train, 1928; 6) Peril at End House, 1932; 7) Lord Edgware Dies, 1933; 8) Murder on the Orient Express, 1934; 9) Three Act Tragedy, 1935; 10) Death in the Clouds, 1935; 11) The A.B.C. Murders, 1936; 12) Murder in Mesopotamia, 1936; 13) Cards on the Table, 1936; 14) Dumb Witness, 1937; and 15) Death on the Nile, 1937. These are just the novels; Poirot also appears in this period in a play, Black Coffee, 1930, and two collections of short stories, Poirot Investigates, 1924, and Murder in the Mews, 1937. Each novel, play and short story has its own entry on Goodreads.

I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull. He got a good estate by merchandise, and leaving off his trade, lived afterwards at York, from whence he had married my mother, whose relations were named Robinson, a very good family in that country, and from whom I was called Robinson Kreutznaer; but, by the usual corruption of words in England, we are now called nay we call ourselves and write our name Crusoe; and so my companions always called me.

In "The Three Musketeers," Alexandre Dumas crafts a riveting tale set against the vibrant backdrop of 17th-century France, weaving a narrative rich in adventure, camaraderie, and political intrigue. The novel is characterized by Dumas' trademark blend of historical detail and lively dialogue, presenting a tapestry of swashbuckling exploits that revolve around the valiant D'Artagnan and his comrades - Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Through its vivid characterizations and intricate plots, the book captures the essence of honor and friendship while simultaneously critiquing the socio-political climate of the era, emphasizing the duality of loyalty and betrayal. Dumas, a prominent figure of the French literary scene, drew upon his rich heritage and personal experiences to create this masterpiece. Born in 1802, he faced challenges of race and class which shaped his worldview. His upbringing in a family with ties to nobility and military service informed his fascination with themes of honor and valor, which resonate throughout "The Three Musketeers." Dumas's extensive travels and interest in history further enhanced his storytelling prowess, offering readers a vivid panorama of a decidedly turbulent period. This timeless classic is a must-read for anyone enamored with tales of adventure and friendship, as well as those interested in the interplay of history and fiction. Dumas' masterful storytelling not only captivates the imagination but also provides profound insights into human nature and moral dilemmas. "The Three Musketeers" is an enduring work that continues to inspire adaptations and entertain countless generations.

The Adventures of Don Quixote adalah karya klasik yang ditulis oleh Miguel de Cervantes. Cerita ini menggambarkan perjalanan seorang pria bernama Don Quixote, seorang bangsawan dari La Mancha, Spanyol, yang terobsesi dengan cerita-cerita ksatria. Ia begitu mendalami buku-buku tentang pahlawan legendaris sehingga ia memutuskan untuk menjadi ksatria pengelana meskipun dunia ksatria telah lama usai. Dengan baju zirah tua, helm yang rusak, dan seekor kuda kurus bernama Rocinante, Don Quixote berangkat untuk membela kehormatan, melindungi yang lemah, dan mencari kemuliaan. Ia ditemani oleh Sancho Panza, seorang petani sederhana yang menjadi pengikut setianya. Sancho memiliki pandangan realistis yang sering kali berlawanan dengan khayalan dan idealisme Don Quixote. Don Quixote melihat dunia melalui kacamata fantasi: kincir angin dianggapnya sebagai raksasa, penginapan sebagai kastil, dan wanita desa bernama Dulcinea del Toboso dianggap sebagai seorang putri bangsawan yang ia cintai dan bela. Namun, usahanya sering kali membawa kekacauan, tawa, dan ironi. Kisah ini tidak hanya menyuguhkan petualangan-petualangan lucu, tetapi juga menggambarkan konflik antara idealisme dan kenyataan, serta refleksi mendalam tentang kebangsawanan, kehormatan, dan makna hidup. Dalam perjalanan panjangnya, Don Quixote mengalami kekalahan, kesedihan, tetapi juga menunjukkan ketulusan dan keberanian yang menginspirasi. Don Quixote adalah karya klasik dalam segala hal, dikenal sebagai salah satu novel terbesar sepanjang masa. Sayangnya, panjangnya yang lebih dari 1000 halaman membuatnya agak sulit dicerna. Namun, edisi ini telah diringkas secara khusus untuk pembaca muda, sehingga mereka dapat menikmati petualangan Don Quixote tanpa merasa kewalahan oleh teks yang terlalu panjang.

The Sources of the Susquehanna; a Descriptive Tale is a historical novel, the first published of the Leatherstocking Tales, a series of five novels by American writer James Fenimore Cooper. While The Pioneers was published in 1823, before any of the other Leatherstocking Tales, the period of time it covers makes it the fourth chronologically. The story takes place on the rapidly advancing frontier of New York State and features a middle-aged Leatherstocking (Natty Bumppo), Judge Marmaduke Temple of Templeton, whose life parallels that of the author's father Judge William Cooper, and Elizabeth Temple (the author's sister Susan Cooper), of Cooperstown. The story begins with an argument between the Judge and the Leatherstocking over who killed a buck, and as Cooper reviews many of the changes to New York's Lake Otsego, questions of environmental stewardship, conservation, and use prevail. The plot develops as the Leatherstocking and Chingachgook begin to compete with the Temples for the loyalties of a mysterious young visitor, "Oliver Edwards," the "young hunter," who eventually marries Elizabeth. Chingachgook dies, exemplifying the vexed figure of the "dying Indian," and Natty vanishes into the sunset. For all its strange twists and turns, 'The Pioneers' may be considered one of the first ecological novels in the United States.