Classic / American EnglishThere are five stories in this book. ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ and ‘The Barrel of Amontillado’ are stories of madness; ‘The Maelström’ describes fear of death during a storm on the ocean; and in ‘The Murders of the Rue Morgue’ and ‘The Stolen Letter’ meet C. Auguste Dupin, Poe’s famous Parisian detective.
Contemporary / American EnglishMarion’s dream is coming true. She only needs a room for one more night before she can marry Sam. Driving through the night, she’s lost and tired. Then she sees the Bates Motel. She thinks she is lucky. But there, something terrible is waiting for her.
Classic / British EnglishWho killed Charles McCarthy at Boscombe Pool? And why? Detective Lestrade from Scotland Yard thinks it was McCarthy’s son, James. Things do not look good for James. But the famous English detective, Sherlock Holmes, sees things differently. His friend, Dr Watson, joins him and tells the story.
Contemporary / British EnglishWhy did a man with one arm go into Dr Richard Kimble’s house and murder his wife? The police think Kimble did it. Kimble is wrongly put in prison but escapes. He wants one thing – to find the killer. Detective Gerard is searching for Kimble and is very close behind.
Classic / British EnglishSir Robert Chiltern is a successful politician and an honest man. He is an ideal husband for the beautiful and serious Lady Chiltern. But somebody knows a dangerous secret about Sir Robert. Can Sir Robert’s charming Society friends save his job and his marriage?This Penguin Reader play is written for acting – making English come alive.
Classic / British English‘We’ll give a free dinner to the person who tells the best story. Now, put up your hands if you agree.’ The pilgrims all held up their hands. A group of pilgrims are travelling together for five days from London to Canterbury. On the way, each pilgrim has to tell a story to keep the others amused. Some stories are happy, and some are sad. But they all have a message, and we can learn from them.
Classic / British EnglishJane Eyre, a poor girl, leaves her cruel aunt’s house and goes away to school. Later, she becomes a teacher and works for the rich Mr Rochester. She loves him and wants to marry him. He loves her too, but he has a dark secret ...
Classic / British EnglishEmil is travelling alone to his grandmother’s house in the city. He is carrying money toher from his mother. Then a man on the train steals the money. Emil follows the thief and an exciting adventure begins, with lots of detectives, a lift boy, and a fight in a bank!
Classic / British EnglishThis wonderful story of fairies, dreams and lovers is as popular today as it was in Shakespeare’s time. In a wood outside Athens, four young people are following their dreams, while fairies play strange games with them. Their world seems unreal – but is it really very different from our own?
Classic / British EnglishElinor and Marianne Dashwood are two very different sisters. Marianne loves excitement and always shows her feelings; Elinor is quiet and has more good sense. They both fall in love and both suffer broken hearts. Will they ever find the right man to love and marry?
Classic / British EnglishBecky Sharp, an intelligent young lady with no family or money, becomes a governess. But this type of life is not enough for her. She has big plans for herself. Is she clever enough to find success? Will she marry and be happy? Or will life be unkind to her?
Classic / British EnglishA man is killed in Richard Hannay’s home. Before his death he tells Hannay a dangerous secret. Now Hannay’s life is in danger. Who are his enemies and what are they trying to do? And how will he solve the mystery of ‘the thirty-nine steps’?
Classic / American EnglishMark Twain is one of America’s most famous and best-loved writers. He wrote about every important subject of his time. Twain’s stories are usually amusing but with a serious message too. You will read about people’s hopes and fears, happiness and terrible sadness—and wonderful practical jokes!
Classic / British EnglishA young woman comes to a big house to teach two young children. It’s her first job and she wants to do it well. But she begins to see strange things – the ghosts of dead people. Do the ghosts want the children?
Classic / British EnglishPip is a poor orphan whose life is changed forever by two very different meetings – one with an escaped convict and the other with an eccentric old lady and the beautiful girl who lives with her. And who is the mysterious person who leaves him a fortune?