Classics

Black Beauty is an 1877 novel by English author Anna Sewell. It was composed in the last years of her life, during which she remained in her house as an invalid. The novel became an immediate best-seller, with Sewell dying just five months after its publication, but having lived long enough to see her only novel become a success. With fifty million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the best-selling books of all time. While forthrightly teaching animal welfare, it also teaches how to treat people with kindness, sympathy, and respect.

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With an Introduction and Notes by Dr Tim Middleton, Head of English Studies, University of Ripon and York.

In seeking to discover his inner self, the brilliant Dr Jekyll discovers a monster. First published to critical acclaim in 1886, this mesmerising thriller is a terrifying study of the duality of man’s nature, and it is the book which established Stevenson’s reputation as a writer.

Also included in this volume is Stevenson’s 1887 collection of short stories, The Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables.

The Merry Men is a gripping Highland tale of shipwrecks and madness; Markheim, the sinister study of the mind of a murderer; Thrawn Janet, a spine-chilling tale of demonic possession; Olalla, a study of degeneration and incipient vampirism in the Spanish mountains; Will O’ the Mill, a thought-provoking fable about a mountain inn-keeper; and The Treasure of Franchard, a study of French bourgeois life.

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This is a beautiful hardbound edition of Dracula that comes with gilded edges and elegantly designed endpapers. Dracula is an epistolary novel, written as a collection of realistic but completely fictional diary entries, telegrams, letters, ship’s logs, and newspaper clippings, all of which add a level of detailed realism to Stoker’s story. At the time of its publication, Dracula was considered a ‘straightforward horror novel’ based on imaginary creations of supernatural life. Dracula has been assigned to many literary genres including vampire literature, horror fiction, the gothic novel, and invasion literature. The novel touches on themes such as the role of women in Victorian culture, sexual conventions, immigration, colonialism, and post-colonialism. Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, he defined its modern form through this novel.

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‘It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.’

One of Shakespeare’s best-known Tragedies, Macbeth, tells the story of a Scottish general who is given a prophecy by three witches that he will become King. With the encouragement of his wife, Macbeth murders the King and takes the throne but is then plunged into paranoia, guilt and more bloodshed to keep his reign.

The Actor’s Edition is specifically designed and written with actors in mind. The text is the same, with no edits or alterations. The additional elements included and the presentation makes this version what you need as an actor approaching the play.

• A no-nonsense approach to the text
• Background information on Shakespeare and the play
• Detailed synopsis, character information, key themes
• Acting tips and hints for working with Classical Theatre
• Acting techniques and approaches
• A layout to support actors when working on the text and in rehearsals
• Ample space to make notes and draw stage directions and diagrams.

THE ACTOR HAS TO DEVELOP THEIR BODY. THE ACTOR HAS TO WORK ON THEIR VOICE. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE ACTOR HAS TO WORK ON IS THEIR MIND’. – STELLA ADLER

The Actor’s Editions contain all the essential elements you need as an actor, including background information on Shakespeare and, more importantly, the background to the text, key themes, complete synopsis and information on the characters. All of these are written, giving you the information you need in an easy-to-understand and follow manner.

There are also several hints, tips and suggested exercises for you to undertake to help your character development and your approach to rehearsals and developing your work, specifically looking at handling classical text and the work of Shakespeare.

Most important, though, is the set out of the play itself. Each page of text is accompanied by an opposite, faintly lined blank page, allowing you to make all important notes. For an actor, making notes is one of the most important things you need to do – whether in a rehearsal, in a read-through, undertaking table work, or developing your character independently. Having these notes alongside the text is vital to aid your memory and ensure that you apply them when rehearsing and refer to them when learning your lines and reflecting on rehearsals or planning for them.

The Actor’s Edition gives you ample space to make notes, draw diagrams, write about how you say your lines, where and how you move (as well as other characters in the scene), what your objectives, obstacles and actions are, and anything else that you think is relevant.

The ability to write and add notes makes this version a good choice for anyone who wants to do this when reading or studying the play. It would also suit students and others involved in creating performance work, including directors, stage managers, and those with technical roles such as sound and lighting.

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Something was coming down the tide. It came down as quiet as a sleeping bairn, straight for him as he sat with his horse breasting the waters, and as it came the moon crept out of a cloud and he saw a glint of yellow hair.

From misty moors, crags and clifftops comes a hoard of eighteen strange tales gathered by Johnny Mains, award-winning anthologist and editor of the British Library anthology Celtic Weird. Sourced from Scotland’s storied literary heritage and bustling with witches, ghosts, devils and merfolk, this selection celebrates the works of treasured Scottish writers such as John Buchan, Robert Louis Stevenson, Dorothy K. Haynes and Neil M. Gunn alongside rare pieces by lesser-known authors – including two tales translated from Scots Gaelic.

Brooding in the borderlands where strange folklore, bizarre mythology and twentieth-century hauntings meet, this volume promises chills and shivers as keen and fresh as the wind-whipped wilds of Scotland.

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With an exclusive introduction and notes by David Stuart Davies.

Translation by Louis Mercier.

Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is not only a classic science fiction novel, it is also a thrilling adventure yarn.

Professor Aronnax, his faithful servant Conseil and Canadian harpooner Ned Land are held prisoners aboard the fantastic submarine, the Nautilus, by its enigmatic and charismatic commander, Captain Nemo: ‘That terrible avenger, a perfect archangel of hatred.’

And so begins a hazardous and eventful voyage which leads them from the lost city of Atlantis, to the South Pole, hunting in underwater forests and to an encounter with a ferocious giant squid.

Published in 1870, the novel continues to fascinate and engage the reader, presenting as it does an incredible journey into a mysterious world of excitement and danger!

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“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is a classic adventure novel written by French author Jules Verne and first published in 1870. The novel is known for its pioneering exploration of the depths of the ocean and the mysterious world that lies beneath the waves. It is a thrilling tale that combines elements of science fiction, exploration, and suspense.

At the heart of the story is the enigmatic and elusive Captain Nemo, the commander of the technologically advanced submarine, the Nautilus. Captain Nemo is a complex character, driven by a deep-seated desire for freedom and a strong aversion to the surface world. He is a symbol of independence and a rejection of the constraints of society.

The novel’s protagonist, Professor Pierre Aronnax, is a dedicated scientist and marine biologist who, along with his companions Conseil and Ned Land, becomes a reluctant guest on the Nautilus. Professor Aronnax serves as the reader’s guide to the undersea world and the various wonders and dangers it holds. He is a character who is both curious and analytical, constantly seeking to understand the mysteries of the ocean.

Jules Verne’s descriptive prowess is on full display in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” He vividly portrays the undersea landscapes, exotic creatures, and advanced technology of the Nautilus. His writing immerses the reader in the awe-inspiring beauty and terror of the deep ocean, as well as the incredible feats of engineering that make the submarine possible.

The novel is a reflection of the era in which it was written, an age marked by fascination with scientific discovery and exploration. Verne’s work taps into the spirit of curiosity and the desire to push the boundaries of human knowledge and capability. It explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world, as well as the consequences of unchecked ambition.

“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is a timeless tale that continues to captivate readers with its sense of adventure and wonder. It is a novel that encourages us to consider the mysteries of the deep and the limitless potential of human ingenuity. Verne’s storytelling remains a testament to the enduring power of imagination and the thrill of exploration.

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