Fiction Modern Classics

Step into Ernest Hemingway’s unforgettable world with a version designed for today’s reader. This refreshed edition of The Sun Also Rises: Adapted for Modern Readers keeps Hemingway’s spare, powerful voice while offering lightly clarified language, clean, contemporary formatting, and readable typography. Obsolete usages are gently updated, dense passages subtly smoothed, and dialogue punctuation modernized, helping you move effortlessly through the story without footnotes—so the emotions, not the mechanics of the page, command your attention. Set among the cafés of 1920s Paris and ...

Often disguised as something that would help him, evil accompanies Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. As you walk with him, you'll begin to identify today's many religious pitfalls. These are presented by men such as Pliable, who turns back at the Slough of Despond; and Ignorance, who believes he's a true follower of Christ when he's really only trusting in himself.

The Ultimate Modern Classics Collection: Volume One is the first instalment in our classics collection focusing on the most important and iconic novels, stories, and poems of the 20th century. Featuring 22 essential modern classics from Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Herman Hesse, Agatha Christie, Virigna Woolf, and many more, and read by a cast of incredible narrators including David Rintoul, Robert G. Slade, Karen Cass, Nathan Osgood, amongst others, this is an essential addition to your library.

The Ultimate Modern Classics Collection: Volume 2 is the second instalment of our Modern Classics Collections, delving into a world of 20th-century literary brilliance. This anthology features a wide array of thought-provoking, genre-defining works from the 1900s, showcasing the range of modern storytelling—from existential musings to dark humour and intricate social commentary. These are the stories that have shaped modern literature, offering timeless insights into human nature and society.

Discover the timeless tale of sisterhood and self-discovery with a fresh twist in "Little Women: Adapted for Modern Readers." This edition revitalizes Louisa May Alcott's heartwarming classic by updating the language and formatting for today's audience while preserving the original charm and depth. The modernized typography and clarified dialogue make this beloved story more accessible, allowing readers to seamlessly connect with the March sisters and their journey through life's triumphs and trials. Step into the world of 19th-century New England, where the March family navigates love, ...

Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended. In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.

Dive into an epic journey beneath the waves with "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea: Adapted for Modern Readers." Jules Verne's timeless classic comes alive in this freshly updated edition, inviting you to explore the mysteries of the deep with a clarity and style that appeals to today's readers. Join the enigmatic Captain Nemo and his extraordinary submarine, the Nautilus, as they navigate uncharted waters filled with wonder and peril. Set against the backdrop of the 19th century's scientific curiosity and adventurism, this adaptation preserves Verne's fascinating plot and rich themes ...

This modern adaptation of The Three Musketeers preserves Alexandre Dumas’s plot, pace, and spirit while smoothing archaic phrasing for today’s readers. With clean, contemporary typography and lightly clarified language, you can dive straight into the daring exploits of d’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—no footwork needed to decipher old-fashioned turns of speech. Set in the glittering, perilous court of 17th-century France, this edition delivers everything readers love about the original: razor-sharp duels, secret plots, and unshakable friendship. Honor is tested, loyalties ...

Discover the timeless tale of love, sin, and redemption with "The Scarlet Letter: Adapted for Modern Readers." This refreshed edition presents Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic through a contemporary lens, featuring clean formatting, updated typography, and lightly clarified language. Perfect for today's audience, it offers an easier yet authentic reading experience, making Hawthorne's intricate prose and profound themes more accessible without losing the original's depth and nuance. Set against the rigid backdrop of 17th-century Puritan New England, this novel explores themes of guilt, ...

Desperate to escape their high-pressure life in Los Angeles, the Finch family moves to rural Oregon. But it doesn’t take long to learn that “small town” is not code for “stress-free.” As the new owners of Applegate's one and only general store, the Finches find that the simple life’s anything but simple when your little store is the town's only grocery store, gas station, hardware store, fire station, and occasional dentist’s office.

Step into the wild with this fresh adaptation of Jack London's classic, "White Fang," now tailored for the modern reader. This edition revitalizes the timeless tale with contemporary typography and clean formatting, allowing for an effortless journey through the rugged landscapes of the Yukon. The lightly clarified language maintains the original tone and intensity, ensuring that the core of London's storytelling is both accessible and engaging for today's audience. Set against the harsh backdrop of the Klondike Gold Rush, "White Fang" explores themes of survival, nature versus nurture, and...

Gothic romance at its most unhinged—now without the Victorian sentence structure from hell. What's a Sweary Classic? The complete original story—same plot, same characters, same emotional devastation—just translated into modern, hilarious, sweary language that doesn't require a literature degree to understand. Think: all the moors, revenge, and toxic romance, zero Victorian torture. Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff are obsessed with each other in the most destructive way possible—think soulmates if soulmates were also each other's worst enemies. They grew up together on the ...

Rediscover the timeless romance and keen social commentary of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," now thoughtfully adapted for the modern reader. This refreshed edition features clean formatting and contemporary typography, enhancing readability while maintaining Austen's original tone and intent. Lightly clarified language ensures that the wit and wisdom of Elizabeth Bennet's world remain accessible to today's audience, inviting both new readers and longtime fans to enjoy the beloved tale with renewed ease. Step into Regency-era England, where love and societal expectations clash in a ...

Kurt Vonnegut's first novel spins the chilling tale of engineer Paul Proteus, who must find a way to live in a world dominated by a supercomputer and run completely by machines. Paul's rebellion is vintage Vonnegut – wildly funny, deadly serious, and terrifyingly close to reality.

Listening to The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan can be a bit challenging. Not so with this new version that translates the original archaic language into simple, conversational English, allowing listeners of all ages to easily navigate the most popular Christian allegory of all time. The story chronicles the epic adventure of a man named Christian who leaves his home in the City of Destruction and begins a life-long quest to the Celestial City.

"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973." So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without...

THIS EDITION of "A Tale of Two Cities" preserves Charles Dickens's powerful and dramatic original story while thoughtfully adapting the text for today's readers. Carefully crafted annotations clarify old-fashioned language, historical references, and challenging vocabulary, making the novel accessible and enjoyable for contemporary audiences. Perfect for leisure reading, book clubs, classroom study, or family discussions, this adaptation ensures that readers of all ages can fully appreciate Dickens's timeless masterpiece. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the French Revolution, "A Tale ...

Step into the timeless world of "Jane Eyre," now adapted for modern readers. This refreshed edition retains Charlotte Brontë's captivating narrative while offering a more accessible reading experience with contemporary typography and lightly clarified language. The enduring tale of resilience and self-discovery is now easier to navigate, making it perfect for both first-time readers and those revisiting a classic with a modern twist. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century England, "Jane Eyre" explores themes of love, independence, and morality with emotional depth and intensity. Follow ...

One of Ray Bradbury’s best-known and most popular novels, Something Wicked This Way Comes, now in a new recording narrated by Paul Giamatti! For those who still dream and remember, for those yet to experience the hypnotic power of its dark poetry, step inside. The show is about to begin...

“A real page turner. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the plot twisted into a different shape. Thoroughly enjoyable, delightfully grotesque, and an absolutely satisfying read.” —T. Kingfisher, New York Times bestselling author of What Feasts at Night Drawing on the creatures and...