Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box DSH843

Secondhand Classics Bargain Book Box:

Step into a world of timeless stories and profound ideas with this curated collection of secondhand literary classics. This bargain box brings together celebrated novels, iconic plays, ancient epics, philosophical texts, and captivating short stories from some of history's most influential writers. Perfect for students, avid readers, or anyone looking to build a foundational library of enduring works, these pre-loved books offer a chance to connect with the narratives and thoughts that continue to shape our understanding of the world.

Contents:

1. The Collected Works of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde
   This comprehensive volume gathers the wit, brilliance, and tragedy of Oscar Wilde, including his plays, poems, essays, and the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Explore his sharp social commentary, aesthetic philosophy, and enduring literary legacy in this essential collection that showcases his unique voice and theatrical genius.
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   A quintessential novel of the Jazz Age, set on Long Island during the roaring twenties, this tragic tale tells the story of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsessive love for the wealthy Daisy Buchanan, serving as a powerful critique of the American Dream, wealth, and social class, beautifully written and deeply resonant.
3. The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
   This multi-generational saga chronicles the lives of the wealthy, upper-middle-class Forsyte family in late Victorian and Edwardian England, exploring themes of property, possessiveness, love, and social change through the intricate relationships and conflicts within the family, offering a detailed portrait of a specific era and class.
4. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
   A powerful and proto-feminist novel, it tells the story of Helen Graham, a mysterious woman who seeks refuge from her abusive husband by living under an assumed name, exploring themes of marriage, independence, and the constraints placed upon women in the 19th century through a compelling narrative structure.
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
   This beloved novel follows the spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal expectations, family pressures, and her own prejudices in the pursuit of love and marriage in Regency England, featuring witty dialogue, memorable characters like Mr. Darcy, and a timeless exploration of class, reputation, and romantic relationships.
6. Christmas Books by Charles Dickens
   This collection brings together Dickens's festive tales, most famously A Christmas Carol, along with others like The Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth, using heartwarming and sometimes cautionary stories to explore themes of charity, redemption, social injustice, and the spirit of Christmas, filled with memorable characters and evocative Victorian settings.
7. Enchiridion by Epictetus
   A concise guide to Stoic philosophy, this ancient text offers practical advice on how to live a virtuous and tranquil life by focusing on what is within our control (our thoughts and actions) and accepting what is not, providing timeless wisdom on ethics, self-discipline, and finding inner peace amidst external challenges.
8. Chinese Myths by Juliet Piggott
   This book explores the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, presenting stories of creation, ancient heroes, gods, goddesses, and legendary creatures that have shaped Chinese culture and beliefs for centuries, offering insights into the worldview, values, and imagination of ancient China through captivating tales.
9. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
   A beloved children's classic, this story follows orphaned Mary Lennox, who discovers a hidden garden on her uncle's estate and, with the help of new friends, brings it back to life, exploring themes of healing, nature's restorative power, friendship, and the transformation that comes from love and connection.
10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
    These two whimsical and nonsensical tales follow young Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a bizarre world and later steps through a mirror into another, encountering eccentric characters and illogical situations, offering playful satire and imaginative adventures that continue to delight readers of all ages.
11. Gothic Short Stories by Various Authors
    This collection gathers chilling tales from the Gothic tradition, featuring stories of haunted castles, mysterious occurrences, supernatural beings, and psychological suspense, showcasing the genre's focus on atmosphere, terror, and the darker aspects of human nature and the unknown, perfect for fans of spooky literature.
12. Emma by Jane Austen
    Set in the fictional village of Highbury, this novel centers on the well-meaning but misguided young woman Emma Woodhouse, who fancies herself a matchmaker but often interferes with the romantic lives of her friends, leading to humorous complications and self-discovery in a witty exploration of social class, marriage, and self-deception.
13. Tender is the Night & The Last Tycoon by F. Scott Fitzgerald
    This volume pairs two later works by Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night is a poignant story of love, wealth, and psychological breakdown among American expatriates on the French Riviera, while The Last Tycoon is an unfinished novel about a Hollywood mogul, offering insights into the glamour and decay of the era and Fitzgerald's evolving style.
14. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare's most famous tragedy tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who seeks revenge on his uncle for murdering his father and marrying his mother, exploring profound themes of death, betrayal, madness, and the human condition through iconic soliloquies and dramatic conflict in a timeless masterpiece of world literature.
15. The Complete Father Brown Stories by G. K. Chesterton
    This collection features all the detective stories starring the unassuming, wise Catholic priest Father Brown, who uses his understanding of human nature and sin to solve seemingly impossible crimes, offering clever plots, philosophical insights, and a unique approach to mystery that contrasts with conventional detectives.
16. The Well-Beloved & The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved by Thomas Hardy
    These two related works explore the obsessive pursuit of an ideal woman across different generations by the sculptor Jocelyn Pierston, delving into themes of love, art, aging, and the elusive nature of beauty and desire, showcasing Hardy's later, more philosophical and symbolic style in a unique narrative experiment.
17. Orlando by Virginia Woolf
    A groundbreaking and playful novel that follows the life of the androgynous Orlando, who lives for centuries and changes sex from male to female, offering a satirical and lyrical exploration of gender, identity, history, and literature across different eras, showcasing Woolf's experimental style and imaginative vision.
18. The Iliad by Homer
    An ancient Greek epic poem recounting the final weeks of the Trojan War, focusing on the rage of the hero Achilles and its consequences, this foundational work of Western literature explores themes of honor, fate, warfare, and the intervention of the gods, offering a powerful and enduring portrayal of human conflict and heroism.