This novel, written when Dickens was only 25 years old, immediately brought him immense popularity. Presenting a host of now-classic characters in a series of adventures, it displays the richness of his skills of characterization and description. Mr Samuel Pickwick is general chairman of the Pickwick Club, whose members — Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass, and Nathaniel Winkle — form a society to report their adventures and observations. From these reports emerge the rascal Jingle and his servant, Job Trotter, the engaging Sam Weller, the greedy drunkard Stiggins, and many more of Dickens’s best-loved characters.

Created by an Irish clergyman, Melmoth is one of the most fiendish characters in literature. In a satanic bargain, Melmoth exchanges his soul for immortality. The story of his tortured wanderings through the centuries is pieced together through those who have been implored by Melmoth to take over his pact with the devil. Influenced by the Gothic romances of the late 18th century, Maturin’s diabolic tale raised the genre to anew and macabre pitch.

In 1867 Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins collaborated to produce a stage play titled No Thoroughfare: A Drama: In Five Acts. Two boys from the Foundling Hospital are given the same name, (Walter Wilding), with disastrous consequences in adulthood. After the death of one — now a proprietor of a wine merchant’s company — the executors, to right the wrong, are commissioned to find a missing heir. Their quest takes them from wine cellars in the City of London to the sunshine of the Mediterranean — across the Alps in winter. Danger and treachery would prevail were it not for the courage of the heroine, Marguerite, and a faithful company servant.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803 — 1873) was an English novelist, poet, playwright and politician. A lot of his works contributed to the early growth of the science fiction genre. «The Caxtons: A Family Picture» is a Victorian novel about a life of an aristocratic family. The novel is mainly concerned with domestic life, but it also includes a lengthy disquisition on colonisation and emigration, its value to British society and its role in extending civilization.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) was an English writer best known for his detective stories about Sherlock Holmes. This volume includes a collection of entertaining short stories like «The Green Flag», «The Lord of Chateau Noir», «Craddock» and many more.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) was an English writer best known for his detective stories about Sherlock Holmes. This book consists of the adventure novel «The Great Shadow» together with the selected short stories. The novel takes place in the city called West Inch during the Napoleonic era. It describes Napoleon’s influence and reputation that forms a shadow over Europe.

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. Combining the elements of drama, psychological thriller, and gothic horror, «The Wyvern Mystery» tells the story of a young woman Alice Maybell. Raised by Squire Fairfield, she starts to attract the attention of his two sons, Charles and Harry. This happy life ends when Alice begins to dive into the family’s history, trying to unveil the dark secrets of her stepfather.

Jack London (1876 — 1916) was an American novelist, journalist and social activist. Pioneering the genre of magazine fiction and prototyping science fiction, he became one of the first writers, who gained worldwide fame and a large fortune. «The Faith of Men» is a short story collection containing eight of Jack London’s amazing adventure tales like «A Relic of the Pliocene», «A Hyperborean Brew», and «The Story of Jees Uck». All of them set in London’s favorite place, the Yukon Territory.

Jack London (1876 — 1916) was an American novelist, journalist and social activist. Pioneering the genre of magazine fiction and prototyping science fiction, he became one of the first writers, who gained worldwide fame and a large fortune. «Moon-Face’and Other Stories» is a collection that contains many wonderful stories like «The Leopard Man’s Story», «Local Colour», «Amateur Night», and «The Minions of Midas».

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most infl uential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. «Ghostly Tales» is the most extensive collection of the author’s works, containing eleven atmospheric tales about the supernatural, such as «Stories of Lough Guir», «Dickon the Devil» or mysterious «The Child that went with the Fairies».

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. «The Tenants of Malory» is the sensation novel about two feuding families, Verney and Fanshawe, and their ambiguous relationship. Arthur, Lord Verney’s nephew, cannot choose between his feelings to Margaret Fanshawe and for his benefit. Through this novel, the author asks a question — how many moral principles is a person willing to sacrifice for a brief sense of superiority?

Anthony Trollope (1815—1882) was an English novelist of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. «Is He Popenjoy?» is a comic novel, which tells a story of the Marquis of Brotherton who returns to England from Italy with an Italian wife and small child who he claims as his heir, Lord Popenjoy. The plot explores, among other things the question of legitimacy and also that of the power struggles between husband and wife — a topic frequently visited by Trollope.

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most infl uential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. With the tradition of collecting the best tales about ghosts, «Ghostly Tales» incorporates four brilliant stories, such as «Ghost Stories of Chapelizod» and «The Ghost and the Bone-setter» and «The Mysterious Lodger».

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century, «The Tenants of Malory» is the sensation novel about two feuding families, Verney and Fanshawe, and their ambiguous relationship. Arthur, Lord Verney’s nephew, cannot choose between his feelings to Margaret Fanshawe and for his benefit. Through this novel, the author asks a question — how many moral principles is a person willing to sacrifice for a brief sense of superiority?

Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was an English novelist of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. «Is He Popenjoy?» is a comic novel, which tells a story of the Marquis of Brotherton who returns to England from Italy with an Italian wife and small child who he claims as his heir, Lord Popenjoy. The plot explores, among other things the question of legitimacy and also that of the power struggles between husband and wife — a topic frequently visited by Trollope.

Howard Lovecraft (1890 — 1937) was an American writer who achieved posthumous fame through his influential works of horror fiction. Despite the fact that he was virtually unknown before he died, today he is known as the most influential author in his genre. «The Lurking Fear and Other Stories» is a collection of wonderful short stories such as «The Lurking Fear,» «The Shunned House,» «The Colour». These stories, full of mystery and fantastic creatures, have captured the minds of readers all over the world.

Howard Lovecraft (1890 — 1937) was an American writer who achieved posthumous fame through his influential works of horror fiction. Despite the fact that he was virtually unknown before he died, today he is known as the most influential author in his genre. «The Case of Charles Dexter Ward» is a short horror novel that describes how Charles Dexter Ward becomes obsessed with his distant ancestor, Joseph Curwen, an alleged wizard with unsavory habits. Ward physically resembles Curwen, and attempts to duplicate his ancestor’s Qabalistic and alchemical feats.

Jack London (1876 — 1916) was an American novelist, journalist and social activist. Pioneering the genre of magazine fiction and prototyping science fiction, he became one of the first writers, who gained worldwide fame and a large fortune. This collection includes many amazing short stories such as «That Spot», «Trust», «All Gold Canyon» and «The Story Of Keesh».

Jerome Klapka Jerome (1859 —1927) was an English writer and humourist. The author sets himself a Herculean task, as main character in his own novel: to fictionally compose another novel, in collaboration with a trio of his pipe-party bachelor friends: Jephson, Brown, and MacShaughnassy.

Samuel Richardson (1689—1761) was an English writer, best known for his epistolary novels. He also worked as an established publisher who printed almost 500 different books and magazines. Regarded by many as a masterpiece, the novel «Clarissa; or, the History of a Young Lady» tells the story of a young woman named Clarissa Harlowe, whose way to happiness is constantly endangered by her own family. Pressured to marry a wealthy man, she leaves her home with Robert Lovelace. Even then she can’t find peace, because Lovelace shows himself untrustworthy, spewing vague promises of marriage without any attempts to move from words to deeds.

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. Filled with mystery and gothic horror elements, «The Room in the Dragon Volant» takes place in post-Napoleonic Wars France. Young Englishman Richard Beckett falls in love with the mysterious Countess. To be closer to her, he takes a room in the «Dragon Volant» inn, which has a rather nasty reputation.

John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright. «The Island Pharisees» takes a critical look beneath the gilded veneer of Edwardian England. Dick Shelton is engaged to Antonia Dennant and his privileged middle-class life seems complete until he meets Ferrand, an enigmatic young vagrant, who begins to shake his complacency and open his eyes to the selfishness and hypocrisy of London society.

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. «In a Glass Darkly» is a collection of mystery stories presented as cases of the occult detective Dr. Martin Hesselius, who believes that ghosts can be real. Three stories are included in this book: Green Tea, The Familiar, and Mr. Justice Harbottle.

Rachel Dove’s and Richard Darrien’s lives first intersect in Africa when the brave man saves a minister’s daughter, from a flash flood. Years pass before they meet again: This time Rachel needs help escaping a Zulu tribe that would have her as their goddess and evading another man who wants her for his own.

Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was an English novelist of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. «The Way We Live Now» is a satirical novel, published in London in 1875 after first appearing in serialised form. The main character of the story, Augustus Melmotte, is a financier with a mysterious past. He is rumoured to have Jewish origins, and to be connected to some failed businesses in Vienna. When he moves his business and his family to London, the city’s upper crust begins buzzing with rumours about him.

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 —1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic novels, one of the most influential ghost story writers of the nineteenth century. As an excellent example of a. Victorian mystery, «Guy Deverell» has everything you need: an old countryside manor house with a set of colorful characters and ambiguous relationships between them. Treason, intrigues, conspiracy and a burning desire for revenge — what a wonderful way to start an exciting and unpredictable story!

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850—1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, travel writer, and essayist. He was a celebrity during his lifetime for works like «Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde» and «Treasure Island.» Now he is one of the most translated authors in the world. Written by young Robert Stevenson, «Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes» is considered a pioneering classic of outdoor literature. Stevenson started the twelve-day track through the wild Cevennes region of France and wrote down the whole way in this story. His only companion for the trip, as you can tell from the title, was a stubborn donkey named Modestine.

Thomas Love Peacock (1785—1866) was an English novelist, poet, and official of the East India Company. The final novel of Thomas Love Peacock followed the others after a silence of 30 years, its typical Peacockian format intact an idyllic, country house setting, a genial host, many opinionated guests, and a romantic love interest. Like all of Peacocks novels, Gryll Grange dissects the philosophy, manners, and culture of his day through a sparkling cocktail of dialogue and poetry.

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 — 1896) was an American abolitionist and a writer. She is best known for her novel «Uncle Tom’s Cabin,» which depicts the harsh conditions for enslaved African Americans. «The Pearl of Orr’s Island» is her lesser-known, but still beautiful novel. It is a heartwarming story of a young girl’s struggle to belong and fit in. The novel reflects Stowe’s awareness of the complexity of small-town society.

Edith Wharton (1862—1937) was an American novelist and short story writer. Her works show the lives of people of the late nineteenth century, the times of decline in American history. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921. Wharton also was familiar with many famous people of the time, including President Theodore Roosevelt. «The Glimpses of the Moon» tells the story of two young and poor New Yorkers, Nick Lansing, and Susy Branch, who are in love and want to marry but can’t decide to do this without the wealth. They both agree to separate when even one of them finds a wealthy partner. However, as they honeymoon with wealthy friends goes on, jealousy and conscience make the idyll crumble.

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 — 1896) was an American abolitionist and author. She is best known for her novel «Uncle Tom’s Cabin,» which depicts the harsh conditions for enslaved African Americans. «My «Wife and I» is lesser-known Stowe’s novel, where she emphasized the importance of the marriage decision for men as well as women. The main character is Harry Henderson, the youngest son of a New England minister, who recounts his experiences through childhood, college, and his early career as a journalist.

Edith Wharton (1862—1937) was an American novelist and short story writer. Her works show the lives of people of the late nineteenth century, the times of decline in American history. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921. Wharton also was familiar with many famous people of the time, including President Theodore Roosevelt. Set in the small town of North Dormer, New England, the novel «Summer» follows eighteen-year-old librarian Charity Royall during her sexual awakening against the background of the cruel treatment by the father of her child, Lucius Harney, who doesn’t want to marry her. Written in Wharton’s firm style, the prose of this novella turns reading into sheer pleasure.

Barnaby Rudge is a story of mystery and suspense which begins with an unsolved double murder. Through the course of the novel fathers and sons become opposed, apprentices plot against their masters and Protestants clash with Catholics on the streets. And, as London erupts into riot, Barnaby himself struggles to escape the curse of his own past. With its dramatic descriptions of public violence and private horror, its strange secrets and ghostly doublings, Barnaby Rudge is a powerful, disturbing blend of historical realism and Gothic melodrama.

William Shakespeare (1564—1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, considered by many as the greatest English writer. Hundreds of specialists were able to translate his works into every major language, and most of the plays are performed more often than those of any other author. The plot of the play «Measure for Measure» Shakespeare borrowed from the collection «Hecatommithi» by Giovanni Battista Giraldi. Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, realizing that during his reign there was a fall in morals, declares that he is going on a diplomatic mission outside his domains and leaves the strict judge Angelo in charge. Angelo soon uses his power and decides to execute the young nobleman Claudio, because he and his beloved pregnant Juliet aren’t married. This event forces Isabella, Claudio’s sister, to try to make a deal with an incorruptible judge.

Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, but he is now best remembered for his science fiction novels. «Twelve Stories and a Dream» presents the readers with a variety of classic Wells’ tales. The stories include: «Filmer», «The Magic Shop», «The Valley of Spiders» and many others, including «Mr. Skelmersdale in Fairyland» — the story of a man who finds his way into fairyland where a fairy queen tries to seduce him away from his human fiancee.

Herbert George Wells (1866 — 1946) was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, but he is now best remembered for his science fiction novels. «The World Set Free» is a futuristic novel, written in 1913 and first published the following year. It was incredibly prophetic on a major scale, since Wells predicted nuclear warfare years before research began and described a weapon of enormous destructive power, that is used from the air and that would wipe out everything for miles.

Herbert George Wells (1866—1946) was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, but he is now best remembered for his science fiction novels. «The War in the Air» a military science fiction novel, which is notable for its prophetic ideas, images, and concepts such as the use of the aircraft for the purpose of warfare and the coming of World War I.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) was an English writer best known for his detective stories about Sherlock Holmes. As an adventure novel, «The Tragedy of The Korosko» tells the story of European tourists on a trip to Egypt, sailing up the River Nile in a boat called the Korosko. During a morning tour of the desert, they are taken hostage by a group of Dervish warriors. The book raises the themes of imperial sovereignty, invasive foreign policy, and even religious extremism.

Herbert George Wells (1866 — 1946) was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, but he is now best remembered for his science fiction novels. «The New Machiavelli» is a 1911 novel, the story of Richard Remington who appears to be a man to envy. But underneath his superficial contentment, he is far from happy with either his marriage or the politics of his party. The novel describes the disarray into which his life is thrown, when he meets the young and beautiful Isabel Rivers and becomes tormented by desire.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) was an English writer best known for his detective stories about Sherlock Holmes. «The Mystery of Cloomber» is a suspenseful gothic novel that centers around mysterious general Heatherstone and his family. Every single year his paranoia rises around the autumn time when the fifths of October is near. Only his new neighbor John Fothergill West is curious enough to uncover the secret of such unusual behavior.