Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box DSH1066

Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box 

Build a library of timeless masterpieces with this magnificent collection of twenty secondhand literary classics. This box features the giants of the canon, from the Russian depths of Dostoevsky to the Victorian brilliance of Dickens and the dystopian vision of Orwell. Whether you are exploring the moors with Hardy, the streets of London with Sherlock Holmes, or the philosophical questions of Darwin and Wilde, these diverse titles offer a lifetime of reading pleasure. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas Young D'Artagnan travels to Paris with dreams of joining the King's Musketeers, only to be drawn into a world of court intrigue and espionage. He befriends the legendary trio Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, uniting with them under the motto "all for one, one for all." Together, they must thwart the evil Cardinal Richelieu and the deadly Milady de Winter to save the Queen's honor. This swashbuckling adventure remains the ultimate tale of friendship, loyalty, and heroic daring in 17th-century France.

2. Devils by Fyodor Dostoevsky Also known as The Possessed, this powerful political novel examines the destructive consequences of nihilism and revolutionary ideology in 19th-century Russia. Set in a provincial town, it follows a group of radicals conspiring to overthrow the government and the social order through chaos and murder. Dostoevsky creates a frighteningly prophetic vision of totalitarianism, exploring the psychology of fanaticism and the loss of spiritual values. It is a dark and intense tragedy that delves into the turbulent soul of a nation on the brink of change.

3. Moby Dick by Herman Melville Ishmael signs up for a whaling voyage on the Pequod, only to discover that the ship's captain is driven by a maniacal monomania. Captain Ahab is obsessed with hunting down Moby Dick, the legendary white whale that took his leg in a previous encounter. The novel is a sweeping epic of the sea, blending realistic details of the whaling industry with profound philosophical allegory. It explores themes of obsession, revenge, and humanity's futile struggle against the overwhelming forces of nature.

4. 1984 by George Orwell Winston Smith lives in a terrifying totalitarian state where the Party watches every move and even independent thought is a crime. He works at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history to fit the Party's ever-changing narrative, but secretly dreams of rebellion. When he begins a forbidden affair with Julia, he sets himself on a collision course with the ruthless Thought Police and Big Brother. Orwell's dystopian masterpiece is a chilling warning about the dangers of surveillance, propaganda, and the erasure of truth.

5. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Destitute student Raskolnikov commits a brutal double murder, believing himself to be a "superman" who is above the moral laws that govern ordinary people. However, he is soon consumed by guilt and paranoia, engaging in a psychological cat-and-mouse game with a clever police investigator. As he struggles with his conscience, he finds a path toward redemption through the love of the virtuous Sonya. This psychological thriller is a profound exploration of the human condition, suffering, and the possibility of spiritual rebirth.

6. The Karamazov Brothers by Fyodor Dostoevsky This monumental final novel by Dostoevsky tells the story of the sensualist Fyodor Karamazov and his three very different sons: Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha. When the father is murdered, the resulting investigation and trial expose the deep-seated rivalries and philosophical conflicts within the family. The narrative grapples with the biggest questions of existence, including faith, reason, free will, and the nature of God. It is a passionate and complex drama that serves as a supreme testament to the author's genius.

7. Finnegans Wake by James Joyce Renowned for its difficulty and brilliance, this experimental work abandons conventional plot and language to create a dreamlike, circular narrative. Joyce invents a unique "night language" filled with multilingual puns and portmanteau words to explore the universal history of humanity. The book centers on the Earwicker family but expands to encompass mythology, history, and theology in a vast, comic cycle. It is a challenging but rewarding literary puzzle that pushes the boundaries of what the novel form can achieve.

8. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens A young man stands to inherit a fortune from his estranged father only if he marries a woman he has never met, but he is presumed dead after a body is found in the Thames. He adopts a new identity to observe his intended bride and the corrupt society that circles the money like vultures. Dickens weaves a complex satire of wealth and class, featuring some of his most memorable characters and a dark, atmospheric setting. It is a scathing critique of the transformative and often destructive power of money in Victorian London.

9. The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle This final collection of Sherlock Holmes stories features twelve cases that test the legendary detective's powers of deduction to their limits. From the creepy "Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" to the baffling "Problem of Thor Bridge," Holmes and Watson face a variety of strange crimes. These tales show a more mature and sometimes darker side of the detective as he navigates the changing world of the 1920s. It is a fitting conclusion to the canon, proving that the game is still very much afoot.

10. Macbeth by William Shakespeare A Scottish general receives a prophecy from three witches that he will one day become King of Scotland, sparking a consuming ambition within him. Spurred on by his ruthless wife, Macbeth murders the rightful king to seize the crown, unleashing a cycle of violence and guilt. As his paranoia grows, he is forced to commit more crimes to protect his power, leading to his inevitable tragic downfall. This dark and powerful play explores the corrosive effects of unchecked ambition and the psychological toll of evil deeds.

11. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene inherits a farm and attracts the attention of three very different suitors: a shepherd, a soldier, and a wealthy neighbor. Her choices lead to passion, tragedy, and eventual self-discovery set against the backdrop of the rural Wessex landscape. Hardy creates a vivid portrait of agricultural life and the complex social dynamics of a small community. It is a timeless romance that examines the nature of love, resilience, and the constraints placed on women in Victorian society.

12. The Descent of Man by Charles Darwin Following his revolutionary On the Origin of Species, Darwin applies his theory of evolution by natural selection specifically to human beings. He presents evidence for the shared ancestry of humans and apes, discussing physical traits, mental faculties, and moral behaviors. The book also introduces the concept of sexual selection, explaining how competition for mates drives evolutionary change. It is a landmark scientific text that fundamentally changed the way we understand our place in the natural world.

13. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Young orphan Pip lives a humble life until a mysterious benefactor gives him the means to become a gentleman in London. He abandons his roots in pursuit of the beautiful but cold Estella, believing she is destined for him by the wealthy Miss Havisham. As Pip navigates high society, he slowly learns painful lessons about loyalty, gratitude, and the true nature of nobility. This coming-of-age classic features a cast of unforgettable characters and a gripping plot filled with twists and turns.

14. The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Set during the French and Indian War, this adventure follows Hawkeye, a white scout, and his Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas. They agree to guide the daughters of a British colonel through the dangerous wilderness to safety at Fort William Henry. Along the way, they must battle enemy soldiers and hostile tribes in a desperate struggle for survival. It is a thrilling tale of the American frontier that explores the clash of cultures and the tragic disappearance of an indigenous way of life.

15. The Mystery of Edwin Drood & Other Stories by Charles Dickens Dickens' final, unfinished novel is a dark and atmospheric mystery set in the cathedral city of Cloisterham. Edwin Drood disappears after a stormy Christmas Eve, and suspicion falls on his intense and opium-addicted uncle, John Jasper. Because the author died before revealing the solution, the identity of the murderer remains one of literature's greatest puzzles. This edition includes other short works, showcasing Dickens' mastery of suspense and his keen observation of human psychology.

16. First Men in the Moon & A Modern Utopia by H. G. Wells This volume contains two visionary works by the father of science fiction, exploring space travel and social philosophy. In First Men in the Moon, two travelers invent an anti-gravity substance and journey to the moon, discovering an insect-like civilization. A Modern Utopia presents a parallel world where humanity has solved its social and economic problems, offering a blueprint for a perfect society. Together, they demonstrate Wells' imaginative range and his enduring interest in the future of mankind.

17. The Turn of the Screw & The Aspern Papers by Henry James This pairing features two of Henry James' most famous novellas, renowned for their psychological depth and ambiguity. The Turn of the Screw is a chilling ghost story about a governess who believes the children in her care are being haunted by malevolent spirits. The Aspern Papers follows a literary scholar obsessed with obtaining the private letters of a deceased poet from his elderly lover. Both stories masterfully build tension and explore the blurred lines between reality and obsession.

18. Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince, is betrayed by his Roman friend Messala and enslaved, setting him on a quest for vengeance. His journey takes him from the galleys to the chariot arena, intersecting with the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The story is a sweeping historical epic that combines thrilling action with a tale of spiritual redemption and forgiveness. It vividly recreates the Roman world and remains one of the best-selling religious novels of all time.

19. The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope Augustus Melmotte, a financier with a mysterious past, arrives in London and dazzles society with promises of immense wealth from a new railway scheme. Aristocrats and politicians flock to him, desperate for money and willing to compromise their morals to get it. Trollope delivers a biting satire of the greed and corruption that pervaded the financial and social worlds of the Victorian era. It is a sprawling, multi-layered novel that exposes the hollowness of a society driven solely by the pursuit of profit.

20. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde A handsome young man wishes that a portrait painted of him would age while he remains forever young and beautiful. His wish is granted, allowing him to pursue a life of hedonism and vice without bearing the physical marks of his sins. As the picture grows increasingly grotesque, Dorian is forced to confront the corruption of his own soul. Wilde's only novel is a brilliant and provocative exploration of aestheticism, morality, and the consequences of living purely for pleasure.