Frankenstein
Frankenstein
A young scientist gives life to a being he cannot bring himself to love. The first modern novel of conscience and consequence.
Pride and
Prejudice
Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
First published 1813 · public domain
Wit, manners, and a slow-burning misunderstanding between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Two centuries later, still the standard against which every romantic comedy is measured.
The Classics Shelf nine essential public-domain novels
Dracula
Dracula
Letters, journals and telegrams piece together the chilling Carpathian threat that defined the modern vampire.
Sherlock
Holmes
Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
The complete adventures and memoirs of the consulting detective at 221B Baker Street, with Dr. Watson at his side.
Jane
Eyre
Eyre
Jane Eyre
An orphaned governess discovers love, secrets, and her own moral compass in the shadow of Thornfield Hall.
Moby-Dick
Moby-Dick
Captain Ahab's monomaniacal pursuit of the white whale, told by a narrator who'd rather you "Call me Ishmael."
Alice in
Wonderland
Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
A small girl, a large rabbit, a queen with a temper. Logic puzzles disguised as nonsense — for readers of every age.
Great
Expectations
Expectations
Great Expectations
An orphan named Pip comes into a fortune he didn't ask for — and learns what it costs to be made a gentleman.
The Picture
of Dorian Gray
of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray
A young man stays beautiful while his portrait bears every mark of his vices. Wilde's only novel, and his sharpest.
Pride &
Prejudice
Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth and Darcy: the patient teardown of first impressions, and one of the most quoted opening sentences in English.
Study tools for every classic
Free study companions to every novel on the shelf — read online or print, and use them however you teach or study. Each book includes a summary, chapter summary, characters, themes, quotes, analysis, study guide, quiz, and printable worksheet.