W.B. Yeats' life spanned the end of the nineteeth and the beginning of the twentieth century, and his poetry reflects all the turmoil, fervour, traditions and revolutions of that period. From the quiet beauty of 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' to the apocalyptic resonance of 'The Second Coming', this collection shows the impact of a great poet whose startling relevance to our own times grows more and more evident.
Dorian is a good-natured young man until he falls in with the immoral Lord Henry and discovers the power of his exceptional beauty. He sinks deep into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, but he appears untouched by his debauchery.
HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. 'Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.' Considered one of Shakespeare's most rich and enduring plays, the depiction of its hero Hamlet as he vows to avenge the murder of his father by his brother Claudius is both powerful and complex. As Hamlet tries to find out the truth of the situation, his troubled relationship with his mother comes to the fore, as do the paradoxes in his personality. A play of carefully crafted conflict and tragedy, Shakespeare's intricate dialogue continues to fascinate audiences to this day.
Renowned for his wicked wit and bons mots, Wilde also had a deep understanding of the human condition - as revealed with moving simplicity in THE BALLARD OF READING GOAL.