Three francs will feed you till tomorrow, and you cannot think further than that…As a young man struggling to find his voice as a writer, George Orwell left the comfort of home to live in the impoverished working districts of Paris and London. He would document both the chaos and boredom of destitution, the eccentric cast of characters he encountered, and the near-constant pains of hunger and discomfort.Exposing the grim reality of a life marred by poverty, Down and Out in Paris and London, part memoir, part social commentary, would become George Orwell’s first published work.

HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.Plato’s Republic has influenced Western philosophers for centuries, with its main focus on what makes a well-balanced society and individual.

«I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. «- Henry David Thoreau, Walden

After the Great War, life can never be the same again. Wounds need healing, and the horror of violent death banished into memory.Captain Arthur Hastings is invited to the rolling country estate of Styles to recuperate from injuries sustained at the Front. It is the last place he expects to encounter murder. Fortunately he knows a former detective, a Belgian refugee, who has grown bored of retirement …The first Hercule Poirot mystery, now published with a previously deleted chapter and introduced by Agatha Christie expert Dr John Curran.

«My legs are a bit short for the pole vault!» repeated Paddington hotly. «But they’ve always been that way.»Somehow Paddington always manages to find himself in unusual situations. So it is no surprise when he gets into a spot of bother with some shaving cream, causes a London bus to be evacuated, and is mistaken for a famous Peruvian hurdler by a film crew. There’s never a dull moment when a certain bear is around!Paddington Bear has been delighting adults and children alike with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures for over fifty years.»For all those who grew up with Paddington Bear-and for those currently growing up with him-this new offering will be a lovely little addition to your collection» — Time Out’I’ve always had great respect for Paddington… He is a British institution.’ Stephen Fry’Michael Bond’s accident-prone bear…has become one of the most enduring of children’s characters.’ The Bookseller»Michael Bond is a national treasure» The Telegraph.

Collins Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 4-11 edited by Cliff Moon. Top children’s authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that your children will love to read, banded to help you choose the right book for every child. Practical ideas for guided reading are included at the back of each book.

Collins Big Cat is a guided reading series for ages 4-11 edited by Cliff Moon. Top children’s authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that your children will love to read, banded to help you choose the right book for every child. Practical ideas for guided reading are included at the back of each book.

A little boy’s journey and a desperate search for a place to call home.Eight-year-old Casey’s mother Ruth is a cruel woman, with a weakness for other women’s husbands, but Casey’s father is gentle and hard-working. Although Tom Denton has long suspected his wife of having sordid affairs, he has chosen to turn a blind eye to keep the peace. But then Tom receives devastating news which means that their lives must change, forever.A broken man, Tom is made to fight for his son, determined to keep him safe. But, when fate takes a hand, life can be unbearably cruel, and Casey is made to remember his father’s prophetic words…’It’s done. The dice is thrown, and nobody wins.’But, unbeknown to Casey, there are Three Letters penned by his father, that may just change his destiny forever.

The disturbing new thriller from the king of southern gothic.When he was a prosecuting attorney Penn Cage sent hardened killers to death row. But it is as mayor of his hometown — Natchez, Mississippi — that Penn will face his most dangerous threat.Urged by old friends to restore the town to its former glory, Penn has ridden into office on a tide of support for change. But in its quest for new jobs and fresh money, Natchez has turned to casino gambling. Five fantastical steamboats float on the river beside the old slave market like props from Gone With the Wind. But one boat isn’t like the others. Rumour has it that the Magnolia Queen has found a way to pull the big players from Las Vegas. And with them comes an unquenchable taste for one thing: blood sport, and the dark vices that go with it.When a childhood friend of Penn’s who brings him evidence of these crimes is brutally murdered, the full weight of Penn’s failure to protect this city hits home. So begins his quest to find the men responsible. But it’s a hunt he begins alone, for the local authorities have been corrupted by the money and power of his hidden enemy. With his family’s life at stake, Penn realizes his only allies in his one-man war are those bound to him by blood or honour.

Laurie and Jamie have the perfect office romance(They set the rules via email)Everyone can see they’re head over heels(They staged the photos)This must be true love(They’re faking it)When Laurie is dumped by her partner of eighteen years, she’s blindsided. Not only does she feel humiliated, they still have to work together.So when she gets stuck in the lift with handsome colleague Jamie, they hatch a plan to stage the perfect romance. Revenge will be sweet…But this fauxmance is about to get complicated. You can’t break your heart in a fake relationship — can you?

The international Number One bestseller Dean Koontz’s most-loved character, Odd Thomas, is back. A gripping and powerful thriller — full of suspense, mystery and horror.Evil never backs down, so neither can he.Odd Thomas, that unlikely hero, once more stands between us and our worst fears.Odd never asked to communicate with the dead — they sought him out, in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, which he can never leave. He has already lost the love of his life; and now a childhood friend has disappeared and the worst is feared.But as Odd applies his unique talents to the task of finding his friend, he discovers something far worse than a dead body. Evil personified has come to visit this desert community of souls both living and dead…

Rich, witty and moving, I Remember You is for anyone who likes to dream about a new life — and for anyone who still remembers their first love…For Tess Tennant, spring brings the promise of a fresh start. She’s moving back to her picture-perfect home town to take up a teaching job. Langford is a place of pretty stone cottages, friendly locals in oak-beamed pubs and of course Adam, her best friend since childhood. But Adam is preoccupied with a new girlfriend, and the past — which Tess thought she’d put behind her — is looming large again.So by the time she has to take her class on a trip to Rome, Tess is feeling reckless. She is swept off her feet by a mysterious stranger, and finds herself falling in love. But her magical Roman Holiday is about to turn into a nightmare…Back in Langford Adam is gone and everything has changed. Tess has to decide, once and for all, where she belongs and with whom.

Bernard Cornwell’s brilliant novel, reissued for fans to find out the story behind the stones. This is the tale of three brothers and of their rivalry that created this great temple.One summer’s day, a dying stranger carrying great wealth in gold comes to the settlement of Ratharryn.The three sons of Ratharryn’s chief each perceive the great gift in a different way. The eldest, Lengar, the warrior, harnesses his murderous ambition to be a ruler and take great power for his tribe. Camaban becomes a great visionary and feared wise man, and it is his vision that will force the youngest brother, Saban, to create the great temple on the green hill where the gods will appear on earth. Saban’ s love for Aurenna, the sun bride whose destiny is to die for the gods, finally brings the rivalries of the brothers to a head. But it is also his skills that will build the vast temple, a place for the gods, certainly, but also a place that will confirm for ever the supreme power of the tribe that built it.Stonehenge is first and foremost a great historical novel. Bernard Cornwell is well known and admired for the realism and imagination with which he brings earlier worlds to life. And here he uses all these skills to recreate the world of primitive Britain and to solve the mysteries of who built Stonehenge, how and why.‘A circle of chalk, a ring of stone, and a house of arches to call the far gods home’

For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. Over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they’ve discussed the important stuff — the kids, marriages, jobs and houses — and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner.But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone doesn’t tell the truth. And soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever.Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth ?18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.Sunday Times Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with a riveting look at the dark side of wealth in this gripping take on friendship, money and betrayal, and good luck gone bad…

Книга «You Had Me at Hello (UK bestseller) ***». Издательство: Harper Collins UK. Год выпуска: 2012. Переплет: Мягкий переплет. Количество страниц: 454. Автор: McFarlane, Mhairi. Стандарт: 1. Возрастная категория: отсутствует. Страна производитель: Соединенное королевство.

This new edition of the Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary offers comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the most important English idioms from around the world.Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary offers in-depth coverage of the most important idioms in English, and provides additional information about how common they are, in which contexts they should be used, what they mean and how to use them.This edition has been revised and updated to provide learners with detailed information on idioms in a language that is easy to understand. The 2-colour layout of the dictionary means that it is easier than ever for students to find the information they need.With new idioms and updated examples from the Collins Corpus, this new edition is packed with information on what idioms really mean and how to use them. Many of the new idioms come from varieties of English spoken all over the world, from Britain to the USA, from South Africa to Australia.The dictionary also includes helpful cross-references, making finding the idiom you need easy. There is also a self-study exercise section at the back of the book so that students can practise and consolidate what they have learnt. The fully-revised thematic index provides learners with the most useful English idioms, organized according to theme, along with real corpus examples.As with all COBUILD products, the Collins Corpus provides thousands of examples showing how the idioms are used in the English language today. In addition, there are hundreds of fascinating notes on the origins of idioms, which will allow students to gain a fuller understanding of the English language.Attractively presented, the Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary will prove to be a fascinating and invaluable resource for learners and teachers of English and anyone who wants to gain a greater appreciation of the English language.4th edition.

The first novel in C.S. Lewis’s classic sci-fi trilogy which tells the adventure of Dr Ransom who is kidnapped and transported to MarsIn the first novel of C.S. Lewis’s classic science fiction trilogy, Dr Ransom, a Cambridge academic, is abducted and taken on a spaceship to the red planet of Malacandra, which he knows as Mars. His captors are plotting to plunder the planet’s treasures and plan to offer Ransom as a sacrifice to the creatures who live there. Ransom discovers he has come from the ‘silent planet’ — Earth — whose tragic story is known throughout the universe…

Agatha Christie’s famous Miss Marple mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Lymstock is a town with more than its share of shameful secrets — a town where even a sudden outbreak of anonymous hate-mail causes only a minor stir.But all that changes when one of the recipients, Mrs Symmington, commits suicide. Her final note said ‘I can’t go on’. Only Miss Marple questions the coroner’s verdict of suicide. Was this the work of a poison-pen? Or of a poisoner?

Glorious rejacket of the story collection set in the worlds of Chrestomanci.The stories featured in this collection are:Warlock at the WheelStealer of SoulsCarol Oneir’s Hundredth DreamThe Sage of TheareEverybody’s favourite nine-lifed enchanter makes a guest appearance in each tale. Plus man favourites from theChrestomanci novels — and a cast of thousands!

Five classic stories from Judith Kerr, the creator of the iconic The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Judith Kerr OBE is one of the most beloved creators of children’s books in the world. This delightful treasury brings together five of her bestselling stories in one very special collection, including classics such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat. Featuring: The Tiger Who Came to Tea Mog the Forgetful Cat One Night in the Zoo The Other Goose When Willy Went to the Wedding.

Introducing the seventh book of the newly designed Narnia classics. Perfect for those seeking a contemporary take on The Chronicles of Narnia. It is Narnia’s darkest hour. A false Aslan is commanding all Narnians to work for the cruel Calormenes and striking terror into every heart. King Tirian’s only hope is to call Eustace and Jill back to Narnia in an attempt to find the true Aslan and restore peace to the land. But a mighty battle lies ahead.

Agatha Christie’s world-famous Miss Marple mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.It’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, which is now smeared across her cheeks.But who is she? How did she get there? And what is the connection with another dead girl, whose charred remains are later discovered in an abandoned quarry?The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marple to solve the mystery… before tongues start to wag.

In utter disbelief, Jane Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel — an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon she is faced with a new crime — the ultimate crime — murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remain buried…

When Cora is savagely murdered with a hatchet, the extraordinary remark she made the previous day at her brother Richards funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of Richards will, Cora was clearly heard to say: It’s been hushed up very nicely, hasn’t it… But he was murdered, wasn’t he?In desperation, the family solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery…

The vibrant new novel from Isabel Allende takes her back to her homeland of Chile, and tells the story of the first Spanish woman to arrive on its shores with the Conquistadors in the 1500s.A real historical figure, Ines Suarez came to Chile with the Conquistadors in 1540, helping to claim the territory for Spain and to found the first Spanish settlement in Santiago. In this remarkable novel, Isabel Allende — one of the world’s most spellbinding storytellers — re-imagines Ines’s life and that of the two men who become her lover and husband respectively.’Ines of My Soul’ evokes the conflict and drama of the Conquistadors’ arrival in Chile, as well as helping restore the reputation of Ines, a powerful woman long neglected by history and a patriarchal society. It also finds Allende returning to territory beloved of her and her readers — imaginative historical fiction, evocatively told — and to the familiar landscape of her native country.The novel gives Ines the recognition and glory that are rightfully hers; but more than that it is an epic tale of love and conquest, lyrically written and enchantingly told by a writer at the peak of her powers.