The New York Times–bestselling author of H is for Hawk explores the human relationship to the natural world in this "dazzling" essay collection (Wall Street Journal).
In Vesper Flights, Helen Macdonald brings together a collection of her best loved essays, along with new pieces on topics ranging from nostalgia for a vanishing countryside to the tribulations of farming ostriches to her own private vespers while...

Witness a chilling tale of ambition and creation gone awry. Dr. Victor Frankenstein, driven by a thirst for knowledge, assembles a grotesque creature from stolen body parts. Horrified by his creation, he abandons it, setting off a chain of tragic events. The lonely and misunderstood creature seeks revenge on its creator, unleashing a haunting battle between man and monster. Shelley's masterpiece delves into themes of ethics, identity, and the consequences...

The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare, originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, some modern editors have relabeled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some critics consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays", because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending. The play has been...

"Both flirty and intense, and combining a luxury fashion setting with the English aristocracy, this love story will elicit many a contented sigh among romance fans."—Kirkus

 To woo this American woman, this British aristocrat is going to have to take a walk in her shoes...

With paparazzi nipping at his heels, Devon Heyworth, rakish brother of the Duke of Northrop, spends his whole life hiding his

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In The Canterbury Tales Chaucer created one of the great touchstones of English literature, a masterly collection of chivalric romances, moral allegories and low farce. A story-telling competition between a group of pilgrims from all walks of life is the occasion for a series of tales that range from the Knight’s account of courtly love and the ebullient Wife of Bath’s Arthurian legend, to the ribald anecdotes of the Miller and the Cook. Rich...

Without question the most influential, brilliant and beloved writer in the English language, William Shakespeare began as a simple poet and would-be actor, but after joining the Lord Chamberlain's Men acting company in London (later, the King's Men), he began writing plays and his works would go on to become the most performed theatrical pieces on the planet. It is difficult to encapsulate the scope and impact of Shakespeare's writings. Entire...

One of George Bernard Shaw's best-known plays, Pygmalion is based on ancient Greek mythology. Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, which then came to life. The general idea of that myth was a popular subject for Victorian era British playwrights. Shaw's updated and revised version of this ancient Greek legend was first presented in England in 1914. Poking fun of the antiquated British class system, it introduces Henry Higgins, a professor...

"Measure for Measure," while listed among William Shakespeare's comedies, is doubtless among the darkest of his lighter works and remains one of the Bard's most popular plays. When the Duke of Vienna decides to go undercover in his own city, he leaves Angelo, his deputy, in charge and disguises himself as a monk to see how things progress in his absence. Angelo, who purports to be a man of honor and a stickler for the rules, arrests young Claudio...

Literary scholar, professor, and poet J. Lesslie Hall is best known for his 1897 translation of the Old English epic poem "Beowulf." The story focuses on the titular character of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who comes to the aid of the Danes to save their land from a human-demon monster named Grendel. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf must then kill Grendel's mother. He returns to Scandinavia with more fame and accord and eventually becomes king. Then...

"The play plus a translation anyone can understand"--Cover.