Literature

The story of David Copperfield (1850) began as a memoir of Dickens' boyhood experiences in a blacking factory and grew into one of his most popular novels, echoing aspects of the author's own life and providing a wealth of famous characters. Creepy Uriah Heep and the cruel Murdstones are here, with faithful Peggoty and David's formidable Aunt Betsey Trotwood; not forgetting the ever-optimistic Mr Micawber, who is a portrait of Dickens' own improvident father. This edition contains the original…

Written in 1914 but not published until 1925, a year after Kafka’s death, The Trial is the terrifying tale of Josef K., a respectable bank officer who is suddenly and inexplicably arrested and must defend himself against a charge about which he can get no information. Whether read as an existential tale, a parable, or a prophecy of the excesses of modern bureaucracy wedded to the madness of totalitarianism, The Trial has resonated with chilling truth for generations of readers.

This extraordinary historical novel, set in Medieval Paris under the twin towers of its greatest structure and supreme symbol, the cathedral of Notre-Dame, is the haunting drama of Quasimodo, the hunchback; Esmeralda, the gypsy dancer; and Claude Frollo, the priest tortured by the specter of his own damnation. Shaped by a profound sense of tragic irony, it is a work that gives full play to Victor Hugo's brilliant historical imagination and his remarkable

'Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.' Often referred to superstitiously as 'the Scottish play', Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's best-loved works. As a general in the army of the Scottish king, Macbeth meets three witches who prophesy that he will one day take his master's place. A tumultuous tale of how ambition, guilt and paranoia lead to deceit and murder, it is one of the greatest studies of…

Cinderella is sitting in the kitchen and crying. Everyone else is dancing at the palace. Suddenly the kitchen is full of light and magic. Cinderella is going to the ball!Includes a word list, 5 pages of activities and free online audio (British English and American English).

From the well-loved French fairy tale, as retold by the Brothers Grimm. “Grandmother, what big eyes you have!” Little Red Riding Hood meets a wolf in the forest. He seems friendly, and he’s interested to hear about her old grandmother. With fun activities after the story, and online audio in both British English and American English.

From the classic French fairy tale. All Tom has in the world is a cat; but Puss is no ordinary cat. He introduces Tom to the King as the "Marquis of Carabas". The King is impressed by the Marquis' generosity, and his daughter thinks Tom is charming. If Puss can kill a giant, their fortunes are made. The Usborne English Readers series is a new range of graded readers in simplified English for younger learners. They include activities, glossaries and a full audio recording of the text in both…

Sam is lonely and bored, watching the sheep on the mountain. One day he makes up a story: “Come quickly! A wolf is attacking the sheep!” The villagers come running, but of course there’s no wolf. Then, when a wolf really does attack, who will believe Sam? With fun activities after the story, and online audio in British and American English.