Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box DSH1114

Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box

This extensive collection offers nineteen essential texts spanning millennia, from the foundational epics of Greek tragedy and Roman poetry to the defining novels of the 19th and 20th centuries. Featuring cornerstones of political philosophy, essential Australian literature, and beloved English narratives, this box provides a profound journey through the Western literary canon. From the fierce psychological portraits by Patrick White and the intense romanticism of Emily Brontë to the ancient wisdom of Locke and the Younger Pliny, these works promise intellectual richness and deep literary engagement. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Poems of Catullus - Catullus
   Catullus was the definitive Roman poet of the late Republic, whose passionate, often explicit, lyrical verses revolutionized Latin poetry. His poems cover an intense range of emotions, from tender love and devastating heartbreak, often directed at his elusive mistress 'Lesbia,' to savage political invective and witty social satire. This collection offers a compelling, intimate glimpse into the turbulent emotional life and literary innovation of a key classical voice.

2. The Pot of Gold and Other Plays - Plautus
   Plautus was the earliest known Roman playwright whose comedies heavily influenced later European drama, including Shakespeare and Molière. His plays are characterized by bustling plots, mistaken identity, physical farce, and stock characters like the wily slave and the boastful soldier. The Pot of Gold exemplifies his lively style, focusing on a miser who hides his treasure and the subsequent chaos caused by his paranoia and the machinations of others.

3. Alcestis/Hippolytus/Iphigenia in Tauris - Euripides
   This selection presents three masterpieces by Euripides, the Greek tragedian known for his psychological depth, use of complex female characters, and questioning of traditional heroic myths. Alcestis explores sacrifice and the nature of grief, while Hippolytus dissects the devastating consequences of suppressed passion and divine revenge. Euripides' work often humanized the gods and heroes, making their struggles intensely relatable.

4. The Comedies - Terence
   Publius Terentius Afer, a Roman playwright born in Africa, was renowned for his polished, sophisticated Latin dialogue and his focus on character depth over mere slapstick, contrasting with Plautus. His six surviving comedies, often adaptations of Greek New Comedy, center on complex family relationships, youthful love affairs, and misunderstandings. Terence’s plays were highly esteemed for their pure style and moral tone, becoming fundamental models for classical theatre.

5. The Oresteian Trilogy - Aeschylus
   Aeschylus's Oresteian Trilogy—comprising Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides—is the only surviving trilogy of ancient Greek tragedy. It charts the cursed House of Atreus, detailing a cycle of murder, vengeance, and profound moral chaos, ultimately leading to the establishment of the rule of law in Athens. This monumental work is a powerful meditation on justice, fate, and the transition from primitive blood feud to civilized jurisprudence.

6. The Letters of the Younger Pliny - The Younger Pliny
   Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (Pliny the Younger) was a Roman author and administrator whose collected correspondence provides an unparalleled glimpse into life during the height of the Roman Empire. Written to friends, emperors, and colleagues, these letters cover topics from local administration and court intrigue to the eruption of Vesuvius (which killed his uncle) and the proper treatment of Christians. They reveal the character of a thoughtful, educated man of power.

7. The Burnt Ones - Patrick White
   This collection of short stories by the Nobel laureate Patrick White delves into the psychological landscapes of Australians, often focusing on loneliness, spiritual hunger, and the search for meaning in stark environments. White’s piercing prose and vivid characterizations expose the vulnerability beneath conventional facades. These stories explore the 'burnt' or traumatized aspects of the human soul, often set against the unique, unyielding backdrop of the Australian continent.

8. The Solid Mandola - Patrick White
   A fascinating collection of essays, speeches, and biographical fragments that offer insight into Patrick White's often contradictory views on literature, Australian identity, and his own life. The title suggests a focus on the tangible, concrete realities versus the elusive nature of memory and creativity. This volume provides a valuable companion to his more complex fiction, shedding light on the Nobel Prize winner’s artistic process and public persona.

9. The Master Pipers - George Sand
   George Sand (Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin), a prominent French Romantic author, wrote this pastoral novel set in the rural heart of France. It is a tender and lyrical story focusing on the lives, loves, and music of the country people, celebrating the simplicity and enduring wisdom of agricultural life. The novel is a beautiful example of her exploration of nature, emotion, and social harmony, rendered in evocative, picturesque prose.

10. My Name Is Asher Lev - Chaim Potok
    This compelling novel tells the story of Asher Lev, a gifted young Hasidic Jew in mid-20th century Brooklyn, whose undeniable talent for painting conflicts directly with the religious and cultural laws of his observant community. Potok explores the agonizing tension between artistic genius and spiritual tradition, forcing Asher to choose between his destiny as an artist and loyalty to his family and faith. It is a powerful narrative about identity, sacrifice, and the search for authentic expression.

11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
    Widely considered one of the great American novels, Twain’s masterpiece follows the rebellious Huck Finn and the runaway slave Jim as they float down the Mississippi River on a raft. The novel is a scathing satire of the hypocrisy of pre-Civil War Southern society, using Huck’s naive voice to expose the moral bankruptcy of racism and conventional religion. It remains a foundational text for its vivid vernacular language and deep engagement with freedom and conscience.

12. Two Treatises of Government - John Locke
    John Locke’s profound political philosophy, published anonymously in 1689, established the intellectual foundations for modern liberal democracy. The First Treatise refutes the divine right of kings, while the Second Treatise argues for natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and posits that government legitimacy derives from the consent of the governed. This work fundamentally shaped the American and French Revolutions and remains a cornerstone of political thought.

13. Seneca’s Oedipus - Adapted by Ted Hughes
    A contemporary adaptation of the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca’s tragic drama, renowned for its graphic violence and intense psychological focus. Ted Hughes, known for his raw, mythic poetry, brings a modern intensity to the ancient Theban tragedy of Oedipus, the king who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother. This version emphasizes the overwhelming power of fate and the visceral horror of human error.

14. Robbery Under Arms - Rolf Boldrewood
    A classic of Australian literature, this novel is an adventurous tale of bushranging, crime, and escape, told from the perspective of Dick Marston, a member of a notorious outlaw family. Set in the harsh Australian landscape during the Gold Rush era, it blends thrilling action with a complex moral examination of colonial authority and the code of the Australian 'bush.' It provides a vivid, romanticized, yet gritty view of the country’s wild past.

15. The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer
    Written in Middle English, this foundational work of English literature is a collection of stories narrated by a diverse group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury. Chaucer uses this framework to create a brilliant, often bawdy, tapestry of 14th-century English society, showcasing figures from knights and monks to merchants and housewives. The tales offer a stunning array of narrative styles and satirical commentary on human nature.

16. The Summer Before the Dark - Doris Lessing
    Doris Lessing’s novel is a powerful exploration of female identity and middle-age crisis, following Kate Brown, a seemingly content wife and mother, who suddenly sheds her conventional life. When her family is away, Kate embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting the expectations and limitations placed upon women. Lessing masterfully explores the psychological and emotional landscape of a woman searching for meaning outside of domestic roles.

17. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
    Subtitled The Modern Prometheus, Shelley’s iconic novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a driven scientist who creates a sentient being through unorthodox means, only to reject his creation with horror. More than a gothic horror tale, it is a profound philosophical exploration of scientific ambition, parental responsibility, and the consequences of unchecked technological progress. It remains a deeply moving tragedy about alienation and humanity.

18. Emma - Jane Austen
    Austen’s witty and masterful comedy of manners centers on Emma Woodhouse, a young, privileged woman who is convinced of her matchmaking abilities, despite repeated, disastrous failures. Set in the constrained world of early 19th-century rural English society, the novel explores the themes of self-delusion, social status, and the slow, necessary process of self-knowledge. Emma is celebrated for its satirical brilliance and perfect narrative control.

19. Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë
    A fierce and passionate novel, Wuthering Heights is set on the desolate Yorkshire moors and tells the destructive, obsessive love story between the wild orphan Heathcliff and the spirited Catherine Earnshaw. Brontë’s only novel is a powerful exploration of class, revenge, and the enduring power of elemental forces and unrestrained emotion. Its stark setting and complex narrative structure make it one of the most unique and enduring works of English romanticism.

20. The Venetian Twins / The Artful Widow / Mirandolina / The Superior Residence - Carlo Goldoni
    This volume collects four brilliant comedies by Carlo Goldoni, the great 18th-century Venetian playwright who reformed Italian theatre by moving away from improvisational commedia dell’arte to fully scripted, realistic character drama. His plays vividly capture the social life and class tensions of Venice, often focusing on clever servants, complicated love affairs, and the clash between tradition and modernity. They offer a lively, satirical look at 18th-century Italian society.