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Fiction

At Tales you will find a wide selection of fiction books, that will take you on adventures beyond our imagination; to visit magical kingdoms, historic scenes, romantic settings or simply take you on a journey into a different everyday life and teach you a thing or two about life and about yourself. Fiction literature makes you reflect upon life, yourself and others whether it is in the form of a historical novel, a romantic tale, a comic, a fantasy book or a collection of poems. You find them all here from the niches, and the classics to the fiction book best sellers. The only limit is your imagination.
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  •  
    £5.49

    A collection of classic featuring tales by Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, RL Stevenson, Bram Stoker, Anthony Trollope and many others.

  • by John Cheever
    £12.99

    John Cheever's Collected Stories explores the delicate psychological frameworks of 20th century suburbia. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY HANIF KUREISHIThis outstanding collection by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist John Cheever shows the power and range of one of the finest short story writers of the last century.

  • by Thomas Mann
    £11.49

    This European masterpiece from the Nobel prizewinner explores the lure and degeneracy of ideas in an introverted community on the eve of World War I. Hans Castorp is 'a perfectly ordinary, if engaging young man' when he goes to visit his cousin in an exclusive sanatorium in the Swiss Alps.

  • by Bram Stoker
    £8.49 - 19.99

    Richard E Grant reads Bram Stoker's Dracula, one of the most powerful horror tales ever written, for Penguin Audiobooks.When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula with the purchase of a London house, he makes a series of horrific discoveries about his client. Soon afterwards, various bizarre incidents unfold in England: an apparently unmanned ship is wrecked off the coast of Whitby; a young woman discovers strange puncture marks on her neck; and the inmate of a lunatic asylum raves about the 'Master' and his imminent arrival. In Dracula, Bram Stoker created one of the great masterpieces of the horror genre, brilliantly evoking a nightmare world of vampires and vampire hunters and also illuminating the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire.

  • by Bernard MacLaverty
    £9.49

    On a promontory jutting out into the Atlantic wind stands the Home run by Brother Benedict, where boys are taught a little of God and a lot of fear. But as the outside world closes in around them - as time, money and opportunity run out - Michael finds himself moving towards a solution that is as uncompromising as it is inspired by love.

  • by Jean-Paul Sartre
    £12.99

    June 1940 was the summer of defeat for the French soldiers, deserted by their officers, utterly demoralized, awaiting the Armistice. This book tells what men thought and felt and did as France fell.

  • by Charles Bukowski
    £9.99

    A classic in the Bukowski poetry canon, Love Is a Dog from Hell is a raw, lyrical, exploration of the exigencies, heartbreaks, and limits of love.

  • by Allison Pearson
    £9.49

    A victim of time famine, Kate Reddy counts seconds like other women count calories. Factor in a manipulative nanny, an Australian boss who looks at Kate's breasts as if they're on special offer, a long-suffering husband, two children and an email lover, and you have a woman juggling so many balls that some day something's going to hit the ground.

  • by Tite Kubo
    £8.49

    Viz Media, the number 1 manga publisher in the world, and Simon & Schuster UK are proud to announce a new publishing programme bringing the best in manga to the British market.

  • by Terry Pratchett
    £12.99

    At six o'clock every day, without fail, with no excuses, Sam Vimes must go home to read Where's My Cow?, with all the right farmyard noises, to his little boy. He can think of a more useful book for a boy who lives in a city. So Sam Vimes starts adapting the story.

  • - New Penguin Parallel Texts
    by Ernst Zillekens
    £9.99

    This new volume of eight short stories offers students of German at all levels the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of contemporary literature in the original, with the aid of parallel translations.The majority of these stories have been written in the past decade, and reflect a rich diversity of styles and themes. Complete with notes, the stories make excellent reading in either language.

  • by Fyodor Dostoevsky
    £5.49

    Translated by Constance Garnett, with an Introduction and Notes by Agnes Cardinal, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of Kent.Prince Myshkin returns to Russia from an asylum in Switzerland. As he becomes embroiled in the frantic amatory and financial intrigues which centre around a cast of brilliantly realised characters and which ultimately lead to tragedy, he emerges as a unique combination of the Christian ideal of perfection and Dostoevsky's own views, afflictions and manners. His serene selflessness is contrasted with the worldly qualities of every other character in the novel. Dostoevsky supplies a harsh indictment of the Russian ruling class of his day who have created a world which cannot accomodate the goodness of this idiot.

  • by Haruki Murakami
    £9.49

    Toru Watanabe is looking back on the love and passions of his life and trying to make sense of it all. As his first love Naoko sinks deeper into mental despair, he is inexorably pushed to find a new meaning and a new love in order to survive.

  • by John Irving
    £9.99

    'The reason Homer Wells kept his name was that he came back to St Cloud's so many times, after so many failed foster homes, that the orphanage was forced to acknowledge Homer's intention to make St Cloud's his home.'Homer Wells' odyssey begins among the apple orchards of rural Maine.

  • by Sylvia Plath
    £8.99 - 13.99

    I was supposed to be having the time of my life.When Esther Greenwood wins an internship on a New York fashion magazine in 1953, she is elated, believing she will finally realise her dream to become a writer. But in between the cocktail parties and piles of manuscripts, Esther's life begins to slide out of control. She finds herself spiralling into depression and eventually a suicide attempt, as she grapples with difficult relationships and a society which refuses to take women's aspirations seriously.The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath's only novel, was originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas. The novel is partially based on Plath's own life and descent into mental illness, and has become a modern classic. The Bell Jar has been celebrated for its darkly funny and razor sharp portrait of 1950s society and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

  • by Terry Pratchett
    £21.49

    This is how the Discworld began. Here is the sapient pearwood Luggage, a mobile trunk which launders any clothes put in it and incidentally homicidally defends its owner. Here is Twoflower, an innocent tourist in a world of nightmares and fairy tales

  • by Aldous Huxley
    £9.49

    For over a hundred years the Pacific island of Pala has been the scene of a unique experiment in civilisation.

  • - A page-turning tale of warriors, war and honour from the master of heroic fantasy
    by David Gemmell
    £9.49

    A battle - charged and epic heroic fantasy by the Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Duncan M.

  • by George Orwell
    £8.99

    Set in the days of the Empire, with the British ruling in Burma, Burmese Days describes both indigenous corruption and Imperial bigotry, when 'after all, natives were natives - interesting, no doubt, but finally only a "e;subject"e; people, an inferior people with black faces'. Against the prevailing orthodoxy, Flory, a white timber merchant, befriends Dr Veraswami, a black enthusiast for Empire. The doctor needs help. U Po Kyin, Sub- divisional Magistrate of Kyauktada, is plotting his downfall. The only thing that can save him is European patronage: membership of the hitherto all-white Club. While Flory prevaricates, beautiful Elizabeth Lackersteen arrives in Upper Burma from Paris. At last, after years of 'solitary hell', romance and marriage appear to offer Flory an escape from the 'lie' of the 'pukka sahib pose'.

  • by J. R. R. Tolkien
    £23.99

    The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion fills in the background which lies behind the more popular work, and gives the earlier history of Middle-earth, introducing some of the key characters.

  • by Mary Shelley
    £5.49

    Presents an apocalyptic fantasy of the end of human civilisation. Set in the late twenty-first century, this novel unfolds a sombre and pessimistic vision of mankind confronting inevitable destruction. Interwoven with a futuristic theme, it incorporates portraits of Shelley and Byron, yet rejects Romanticism, and its faith in art and nature.

  • by John McGahern
    £9.49

    Moran is an old Republican whose life was forever transformed by his days of glory as a guerilla leader in the War of Independence. Now, in old age, living out in the country, Moran is still fighting - with his family, his friends, even himself - in a poignant struggle to come to terms with the past.'A masterpiece.' John Banville'John McGahern is the Irish novelist everyone should read.' Colm Toibin'It is compact but not dense, spare yet rich, and brimming with tension.' Observer'An overwhelming experience.' The Times'McGahern brings us that tonic gift of the best fiction, the sense of truth - the sense of transparency that permits us to see imaginary lives more clearly than we see our own.' John Updike'One of the greatest writers of our era.' Hilary Mantel, New Statesman

  • by Mark Dunn
    £10.99

  • by Masashi Kishimoto
    £8.49

    The world's most popular ninja comic!

  • - Pearl, Cleanness, Patience, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
     
    £36.49

    For students of Middle English, Andrew and Waldron's The Poems of the Pearl Manuscript has been the key edition of the four Pearl poems (the best-known of which is Gawain and the Green Knight) for 30 years.

  • - The dystopian classic reimagined with cover art by Shepard Fairey
    by George Orwell
    £8.99

    1984, a masterpiece novel crafted by the renowned author George Orwell, plunges you into a dystopian world where Big Brother is always watching. Published by Penguin Books Ltd in 2008, this classic piece of literature transcends the boundaries of time and continues to resonate with readers across the globe. The genre of this book is dystopian and political fiction, and it serves as a warning about the perils of a totalitarian regime. Orwell's genius lies in his ability to create a chillingly realistic world that mirrors the darker aspects of our society. With 1984, Orwell has cemented his place as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates thought-provoking literature. Published by Penguin Books Ltd, it's a testament to their commitment to bringing quality literature to readers everywhere.

  • by Vatsyayana
    £13.99 - 21.49

  • by Elmore Leonard
    £9.49

    The New York Times bestselling author of Be Cool and Get Shorty

  • - Book 1 in the #1 bestselling Rivers of London series
    by Ben Aaronovitch
    £9.49

    Rivers of London is a captivating book written by the talented Ben Aaronovitch. Published by Orion Publishing Co in 2011, this piece of literature falls under the unique genre of urban fantasy. The story unfolds in the bustling city of London, where rivers become more than just bodies of water. With Aaronovitch's masterful storytelling, readers are taken on an immersive journey that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The book is a testament to Aaronovitch's creativity and ability to create a world within our own. Published by Orion Publishing Co, Rivers of London is a must-read for those who enjoy a twist on the conventional. It's an exceptional addition to any bookshelf and a captivating read from start to finish.

  • by Jojo Moyes
    £9.49

    The stunning, RNA shortlisted novel by Jojo Moyes, internationally bestselling author of Me Before You, After You and the new bestseller Still Me. 'Compelling tale' - HeatLiza McCullen will never escape her past. But the unspoilt beaches and tight-knit community of Silver Bay offer the freedom and safety she craves - if not for herself, then for her young daughter, Hannah.Until Mike Dormer arrives as a guest in her aunt's hotel, and the peace of Silver Bay is shattered. The mild-mannered Englishman with his too-smart clothes and disturbing eyes could destroy everything Liza has worked so hard to protect: not only the family business and the bay that harbours her beloved whales, but also her conviction that she will never love - never deserve to love - again.

Fiction definition
Fiction is per definition set in a fictional story universe. It contains fictional characters with a fictional story line, but that does not mean that a fictional book necessarily should take place in magical kingdoms with supernatural creatures. In fiction we also find books inspired by real life - books that deal with real life problems and experiences but seen from a fictional point of view. Fiction can teach you a lot about empathy, because the main thing about a really good book is one’s ability to step into another person’s shoes and see the world from their point of view and feel the feelings they feel, whether they look like you or comes from different heredity and environment. By reading their story you get an understanding of why they act like they act and feel like they feel. At the same time the events make you reflect on your own life and in that case you could maybe learn something new about yourself and of life in general.  
Many classics is also part of the fiction genre, which might be the widest literary category there is. Fiction contains many genres. You can find both romance, fantasy, adventure, science fiction and fiction history books in our collection. 

Classics
Fiction literature contains some of the greatest classics of all time. A classic is defined by its universality. It speaks to you, whether it has been 100, 200 or even a 1000 years since the idea was put into paper, and the story came to life in the hands of an amazing and talented fiction writer. An example of that is the amazing stories by Jane Austen. One of our times most beloved fiction history books is the tale of Pride and Prejudice. The story follows Elizabeth - a strong, independent young woman - and her sisters in their attempt to act according to the norms, customs and ideals of women that were part of the 1800th hundred. The story is called Pride and Prejudice for a reason. The fiction history book deals with how people at the time often ‘judged a book by its cover’: power, prestige, wealth and beauty was sometimes more important than the person underneath it all even when it came to marriage. Jane Austen teaches us through her wonderful and humorous language that love is not always about looks, status and money, it is also a matter of the heart and mind. A message that still counts today. 

Fiction best sellers
At Tales you also find our times’ greatest fiction best sellers. The best seller list is a good place to start, if you cannot decide which book to begin with. A best seller is defined by its popularity and often good reviews. Follow other readers recommendations and start your fiction book journey with a best seller. 
A book that in recent years has enjoyed increased popularity is the science fiction novel The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The story takes place in a dystopian future not so far from our time. In that future the United States has been undertaken by a religious group, who has changed the society around, and most women do not have anything to say. Some are forced to live as handmaids, whose purpose is to deliver healthy children to the world. A world marked by atomic contamination, infertility and inequality. The book has recently gained its relevance, because of our times’ climate change and equality debates. The story also gets even more relevant with the spread of Covid-19 - an external, hostile power that forces us to stay isolated and avoid physical contact. The fiction book best seller comes in different versions with different covers. You can find The Handmaid’s Tale as both paperbacks, hardbacks and a special graphic novel edition. You also find the long awaited sequel The Testaments among our fiction best sellers.

Fiction books for teens
Fiction literature is for everybody and at Tales you can also find fiction books for teens. The stories often take place in adventurous surroundings taking your teens on magical adventures as in Harry Potter. Some of the recent years’ best sellers among teens take place in life-like surroundings and deal with difficult matters. They teach teens about love, life, but also illness and death - all important on your way of growing as a human being. 

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