Classics – The Elephant's Book Shop

Middlemarch [Unabridged Original Edition, Annotated]

Middlemarch
Complete & Unabridged Original Classic Edition
by George Eliot

Considered the masterpiece of of the career of George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans 1819-1880) “Middlemarch” is also regarded as one of the greatest books in English literature.

Not a machine-scanned text or reproduction of an old version, this quality edition includes the unabridged classic tale of “Middlemarch”, prepared by professional human editors and printed on heavyweight, bright white paper in a large 7.44″x9.69″ format, with a fully laminated cover featuring an original design. Also included is introductory analytical commentary making the novel more accessible to today’s readers and an author biography discussing the life and works of George Eliot. Continue reading “Middlemarch [Unabridged Original Edition, Annotated]”

King Solomon’s Mines

King Solomon’s Mines
Unabridged Classic Authorized Edition
by H. Rider Haggard

When originally published in 1885 “King Solomon’s Mines” quickly became the best-selling book of the year, with the publisher working feverishly to print copies fast enough to meet demand. Ironically the book, which was written in less than four months and perhaps in as little as six weeks, had been rejected by numerous publishers who believed its novelty left it without commercial value.

It was both the first example of the popular “lost world” genre and the first English adventure novel set in Africa. The use of first-person subjective viewpoint and a narrative in familiar conversational style were radical departure from the ornate language and omniscient viewpoint of the books of the day. Continue reading “King Solomon’s Mines”

The Last of the Mohicans [Large Print]

The Last of the Mohicans
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by James Fenimore Cooper
Foreword by Nathaniel Waring Barnes

Widely regarded as the masterpiece of a writing career spanning thirty years, over thirty novels and an extensive body of lesser works, The Last of the Mohicans was James Fenimore Cooper’s sixth novel and the second in the “Leatherstocking Tales” saga.

Set in 1757 during the Seven Years’ War (The French and Indian War in America) between Britain and France, the tale recounts the exploits of Natty Bumppo, called Hawkeye in this story, and his companions Chingachgook and Uncas against the backdrop of a French siege of British-held Fort William Henry. Crossing paths with a relief column also escorting the daughters of the British garrison commander, the three companions become embroiled in a series of frontier adventures involving forest battles, captures, rescues, flights and pursuits through the wilderness. Continue reading “The Last of the Mohicans [Large Print]”

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey
Unabridged Original Classic Edition
by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story and satire of the Gothic novels which were pervasive in late 18th century England. The story follows Catherine Morland, a 17-year-old who lacks life experience and is determined to see the best in people. Her fondness for Gothic novels and active imagination distort her view of the world, and while she has a good-natured personality and is observant she is also naïve, not seeing the underlying intentions in people’s actions.

With Austen’s characteristic wit, and sarcasm the novel follows Catherine as she matures and acquires a better understanding of people’s natures, of herself, and of the world around her. Continue reading “Northanger Abbey”

Persuasion

Persuasion
Unabridged Original Classic Edition
by Jane Austen

Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed novel, published six months after her death in 1817, along with Northanger Abbey.

The story follows Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old Englishwoman whose family moves and rents their home to an admiral and his wife to lower their expenses and reduce their debt. The wife’s brother, Captain Frederick Wentworth, had been engaged to Anne earlier, but Anne was persuaded by her friends and family to break the engagement because his low social status and lack of wealth made him an unsuitable match for a woman of her social standing. Continue reading “Persuasion”

Treasure Island [Large Print]

Treasure Island
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island…

Peg legs, parrots, and buried treasure… with “Treasure Island” Robert Louis Stevenson indelibly marked the popular perception of pirates for future generations.

The tale that became “Treasure Island” began with a “treasure map” drawn for his 12-year-old stepson and the pirate story Stevenson spun to go along with the map. Published in serial form in 1881 and 1882 and in book form in 1883, “Treasure Island” brought him widespread popularity, launched his career as a profitable writer, and by the end of the 1880s, was one of the era’s most widely read books. Continue reading “Treasure Island [Large Print]”

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park
Unabridged Original Classic Edition
by Jane Austen

This quality unabridged classic edition is not a machine scanned or facsimile reproduction of an older edition. Edited and formatted by human editors, it is printed on heavyweight bright white paper with a fully laminated cover and 6×9 page size.

Mansfield Park was Jane Austen’s third novel, first published in 1814. Characterized by Austen’s dry wit and biting satire, its tone and discussion of religion and religious duty, propriety and morality, obedience, privacy, and adultery has resulted in its description as both the most serious and mature and the most problematic of Austen’s novels. Continue reading “Mansfield Park”

Charles Dickens eBook Collection – Novels

Charles Dickens’ novels were initially serialised in weekly and monthly magazines, then reprinted in standard book formats.
Dickens also wrote numerous short stories of varying lengths, and several pieces of intermediate length generally considered novellas. This collection includes the works recognized as novels.

Subsequent printings have generally dropped the lengthy titles and sub-titles of most of Dickens’ work. This list provides the most common title by which the works are best known and, in most cases, the original title as first published. Continue reading “Charles Dickens eBook Collection – Novels”

Persuasion [Large Print]

Persuasion
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Jane Austen

Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed novel, published six months after her death in 1817, along with Northanger Abbey.

Northanger Abbey [Large Print]

Northanger Abbey
Unabridged Large Print Edition
by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story and satire of the Gothic novels which became pervasive in late 18th century England. The story follows Catherine Morland, a 17-year-old who lacks life experience and is determined to see the best in people. Her fondness for Gothic novels and active imagination distort her view of the world, and while she has a good-natured personality and is observant she is also naïve, not seeing the underlying intentions in people’s actions. Continue reading “Northanger Abbey [Large Print]”