Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box DSH1138

Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box

Delve into this remarkable collection of 21 essential literary classics, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries and representing the finest in global fiction, poetry, and memoir. Featuring major works by giants like Dostoevsky, the Brontës, Jane Austen, and several volumes from the famed Palliser series by Anthony Trollope, this box is a treasure trove for any serious reader. From the passionate drama of Victorian England to the deep psychological intensity of Russian literature and the crucial historical testimony of Elie Wiesel, prepare for an immersive reading experience. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Emma by Jane Austen
   This novel introduces the clever, handsome, and slightly self-satisfied Emma Woodhouse, who lives a life of leisure in a small village. Emma delights in matchmaking among her friends, convinced she knows what is best for everyone around her. However, her misguided attempts at social engineering lead to comical misunderstandings and serious emotional fallout. This masterpiece is a witty and detailed study of human folly, social class, and self-recognition.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
   The spirited Elizabeth Bennet must navigate the complexities of social status and manners in 19th-century England alongside her four sisters. Her sharp wit instantly clashes with the arrogance of the wealthy, reserved Mr. Darcy, leading to the genre's most famous romantic standoff. This enduring classic explores the societal restraints placed on women and the journey from initial misjudgment to enduring affection.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
   Set against the bleak, wild landscape of the Yorkshire moors, this novel chronicles the destructive, all-consuming passion between Catherine Earnshaw and the dark, brooding foundling Heathcliff. Their intense bond is shattered by social class and pride, leading to a relentless cycle of obsession, cruelty, and revenge spanning two generations. Brontë's only novel remains a powerful and raw testament to tragic love.

4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
   The story follows Jane Eyre, an intelligent and independent orphan, through her harsh childhood and her eventual role as governess at the mysterious Thornfield Hall. She falls deeply in love with her employer, the complex and passionate Edward Rochester, only to uncover a shattering secret on their wedding day. This Gothic novel is a profound exploration of morality, social inequality, and a woman’s fierce quest for self-respect.

5. Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott
   This beloved novel follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up in New England during the Civil War era. Each girl grapples with ambition, family loyalty, and societal expectations while transitioning from childhood to womanhood. Alcott captures the warmth, struggles, and enduring love that bind the March family together.

6. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
   After his father's death, young Nicholas and his family are placed under the cruel, miserly control of his uncle, Ralph Nickleby. Nicholas is sent to work as an assistant schoolmaster at the horrific Dotheboys Hall, where he witnesses severe brutality. This novel is a sprawling, vivid account of social injustice and institutionalized cruelty in Victorian England, tempered by moments of generous humor and redemption.

7. The Best of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
   This volume collects the most brilliant and enduring cases solved by the eccentric consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his loyal companion, Dr. John Watson. Set in foggy Victorian London, these stories showcase Holmes’ legendary powers of observation and deductive reasoning. Prepare to be captivated by classic mysteries featuring ingenious plots and thrilling investigation.

8. W. B. Yeats Collected Poems by W. B. Yeats
   This essential collection spans the career of the Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet, showcasing his lyrical exploration of Irish mythology, political upheaval, and spiritual yearning. From his early, dreamy verse to his later, starker meditations on old age and art, Yeats defined modern English-language poetry. His work is a monumental legacy of beauty, passion, and profound cultural importance.

9. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
   The novella follows the charmed, yet melancholic life of Holly Golightly, a young, dazzling New York socialite who uses her allure and wit to evade true commitment and emotional honesty. She lives a seemingly glamorous life fueled by wealthy suitors and dreams of finding a place as secure as the jeweler Tiffany's. Capote creates an iconic American character, exploring loneliness beneath superficial charm.

10. Selected Poems by Robert Frost
    This volume gathers a selection of works by one of America's most celebrated poets, known for his masterful portrayal of New England rural life and his accessible, conversational style. Frost’s poems explore deep philosophical themes of choice, isolation, and nature with deceptively simple language. These verses offer profound meditations on the human condition and existential struggle.

11. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
    The novel centers on Jim, a promising young ship’s officer who abandons his sinking ship and hundreds of Muslim pilgrims during a moment of panic. Haunted by his act of cowardice, he seeks redemption and an honorable identity in the far-flung reaches of the Eastern world. Conrad delivers a psychological masterpiece on honor, guilt, and the elusive nature of moral courage.

12. Notes from Underground / The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky
    This volume contains two key early works of psychological fiction by the Russian master. Notes from Underground is a powerful monologue from a bitter, isolated civil servant challenging the conventions of Western rationalism. The Double explores the terrifying breakdown of a bureaucrat when he encounters his exact duplicate, who threatens to steal his identity.

13. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
    Dostoevsky's final and most ambitious novel is a towering work that delves into the profound philosophical and spiritual questions of God, morality, free will, and parricide. It follows the dramatic relationships between the three brothers—the sensual Dmitri, the intellectual Ivan, and the devout Alyosha—and their despicable father. This epic novel is a searing examination of human nature and faith.

14. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
    The novel contrasts the story of Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful but selfish woman trapped in a disastrous marriage, with that of the thoughtful, idealistic Daniel Deronda. Deronda searches for his own origins and purpose, eventually finding his destiny in connection to the Jewish people and the Zionist movement. Eliot creates a complex study of moral duty, social pressure, and spiritual awakening.

15. Night by Elie Wiesel
    Wiesel's stark, unforgettable memoir recounts his experiences as a teenager with his father in the Nazi German concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald during the Holocaust. Written with devastating simplicity, it documents the loss of innocence, faith, and humanity under unimaginable cruelty. It stands as one of the most essential pieces of testimonial literature of the 20th century.

16. Classic Ghost Stories by Various (Wilkie Collins, M. R. James, etc.)
    This anthology collects some of the finest and most chilling examples of Victorian and early 20th-century ghost stories. The tales utilize subtle atmosphere and psychological dread rather than overt gore, focusing on the slow, creeping horror of the unseen. This collection is perfect for fans of traditional literary suspense and supernatural unease.

17. Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope
    The second part of the political six-volume Palliser series continues the story of the Irish statesman Phineas Finn, who is now struggling with political ambition and personal turmoil in London society. The narrative blends political intrigue, romantic complications, and a shocking trial that threatens to derail Finn’s entire career. Trollope offers a masterful depiction of 19th-century parliamentary life.

18. Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope
    This volume, which chronologically precedes Phineas Redux in the Palliser series, introduces the idealistic and ambitious Phineas Finn as he begins his career in Parliament. He navigates the corrupt social and political landscape of London, struggling to balance his principles with the temptations of power and the affections of several formidable women. It is a brilliant political drama and social commentary.

19. The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope
    The fifth novel in the Palliser series, this story focuses on Plantagenet Palliser, the Duke of Omnium, who reluctantly accepts the position of Prime Minister. The novel provides an intimate look at the tremendous pressure of high office and the sacrifices demanded by public life, contrasting political duty with the Duke's deeply personal life with his complex wife, Lady Glencora.

20. The Duke's Children by Anthony Trollope
    The concluding novel of the Palliser series finds the widowed Duke of Omnium struggling to manage his rebellious adult children and his diminished personal life following the death of Lady Glencora. The Duke must cope with social and financial crises engineered by his children’s ill-advised romantic choices. Trollope brings the epic political and domestic saga to a poignant close.

21. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
    The story centers on the passionate, intellectual Maggie Tulliver and her steadfast brother, Tom, whose close childhood bond is fractured by family tragedy and her unconventional spirit. Set in rural Victorian England, the novel explores the intense conflict between Maggie's deep emotional and intellectual desires and the rigid social constraints placed upon women. It is a tragic examination of societal expectations and moral complexity.