Franz Kafka's classic 1915 novella tells the story of traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into some sort of monstrous insect. In her new translation, Susan Bernofsky strives to capture both the humor and the humanity in this macabre tale, underscoring the ways in which Samsa's grotesque metamorphosis is just the physical manifestation of his longstanding spiritual impoverishment. From the back cover.

The King of France gives Helena the hand of any man she wants in marriage, but the one she chooses, Bertram, flees to Tuscany, and she must use her wits to get him back; this text includes background on the play's sources and stage history, as well as a textual analysis.

A biography of the Italian Renaissance artist and inventor who, at about age thirty, began writing his famous notebooks which contain the outpourings of his amazing mind.

An edition of Shakespeare's comedy, including discussion of its production, language, plot, and author.

Shares expert guidelines on how to read and appreciate Herman Melville's classic work, offering insight into its history, characters, and themes while explaining its literary relevance in the modern world.

A guide to reading and understanding William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" which includes the complete unabridged text, detailed explanations of difficult words and passages, a synopsis of the plot, summaries of individual scenes, and notes on the main characters.

This is a guide to Van Gogh's life and art, and to the influences that shaped his work.