In the 'rubaiyat' of the medieval Persian poet Omar Khayyam, Edward FitzGerald saw an unflinching challenge to the illusions and consolations of mankind in every age. His version of Omar is neither a translation nor an independent poem; sceptical of divine providence and insistent on the pleasure of the passing moment.

The day that Mole abandons his spring-cleaning and sets out to enjoy the sunshine is the start of many adventures. Not only does he discover the river and the joys of messing around in boats, but he also makes lifelong friends with Rat, Badger and the eccentric and incorrigible Toad.

'The Merchant of Venice' is perhaps most associated with the complex figure of the money lender, Shylock. The introduction traces the stage history of the figure of the Jew and looks at 21st century issues surrounding it. It also explores other themes of the play such as father/daughter relations and the power of money.

'Money is what God used to be. Good and evil have no meaning any longer except failure and success.' Gordon Comstock decides to live in poverty rather than compromise with the 'money god'. Disgusted by society's materialism, he leaves his job in advertising to pursue an ill-fated career as a poet. 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' is widely viewed as a key transitional text in Orwell's career.

'Ulysses', one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, has had a profound influence on modern fiction. In a series of episodes covering the course of a single day, 16 June 1904, the novel traces the movements of Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus through the streets of Dublin.

Dorothea Brooke is a beautiful and idealistic young woman set on filling her life with good deeds. She pursues the pompous Edward Casuabon, convinced that he embodies these principles, and becomes trapped in an unhappy marriage. Then there is Tertius Lydgate, an anguished progressive whose determination to bring modern medicine to the provinces is muddied by unrequited love. They, and a multitude of other brilliantly drawn characters, reside in the...

The Revd Mark Robarts puts his future and his family in peril when he guarantees the debts of an unscrupulous MP. The romantic hopes of Mark's sister Lucy are also dependent on the goodwill of Mark's offended patroness, mother of Lucy's suitor. Trollope's fourth Barchester novel, 'Framley Parsonage' remains one of his most popular stories.

This edition brings together Jonson's four great comedies in one volume, 'Volpone', Epicene', 'The Alchemist', and 'Bartholomew Fair'.

In his four last plays, Lorca offered his disturbed and disturbing personal vision to Spanish audiences of the 1930's - unready, as he thought them, for the sexual frankness and surreal expression of his more experimental work.

Dickson McCunn, a newly retired grocer of romantic heart, plans a walking holiday in south-west Scotland. He meets a young English poet and, contrary to his better sense, finds himself involved in the kidnapping of a Russian princess, who is held prisoner in the rambling mansion, Huntingtower.