Books published by publisher Real Reads

It is the ninth year of the Greeks' siege of Troy. Will the fighting go on forever? Achilles, the greatest of Greek heroes, is angered by Agamemnon and decides to withdraw from the battle. What is the reason for his wrath? Is there anything that will make him change his mind and return to the battlefield? Both armies have suffered tremendous losses, and the long war seems to be heading towards a stalemate. The Greeks, however, have an ingenious stratagem that may well determine the outcome of the war. Brave warriors, noble heroes, women of divine beauty, and envious gods moved by human passions come alive in this wonderful retelling of the most famous epic war story of all time.

Journey to the West is one of the Chinese Noble Classics. In ancient China a magical monkey appears, creating chaos everywhere he goes. The only way to put his tricks and talents to good use is to make him protector of Xuanzang, a young and handsome monk determined to travel from China to India in search of precious scriptures. Monkey and his fellow disciples, Piggy and Sandy, have to protect Xuanzang from monsters and demons who think they can live forever just by taking bites out of the monk. Can Xuanzang and his loyal disciples reach India safely and find what they seek? Do they have enough confidence and courage to conquer the demons, both those lurking around them and those within their own hearts? Full of humour and adventure, Journey to the West is a story of self-discovery and the pursuit of excellence. Written by Chinese scholar Wu Cheng’en more than four hundred years ago, it reflects everyone’s pilgrimage toward truth, peace, and beauty. If you enjoy this, you can find three other Real Reads Chinese Classics: Dream of the Red Chamber, The Water Margin, and The Three Kingdoms.

Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the Chinese Noble Classics. Baoyu has always believed that he will marry his childhood sweetheart, Daiyu. Daiyu is beautiful and talented, very sensitive, and physically fragile. It is a huge shock to him when he learns that his parents instead want him to marry Baochai, a healthy and considerate girl. Baoyu's family is fast losing its fame and fortune. One by one Baoyu's female friends, relatives, and servants are being married off or sold, and he realises just how much he values the qualities of the women in his life. Will Baoyu surrender to life's harsh realities and give up his true love? What can he do to protect the women he loves from violence, neglect, and abuse? Full of a fiery passion for love and beauty, Dream of the Red Chamber is the story of a young man in search of what is truly important to him. If you enjoy this, you can find three more Real Reads Chinese Noble Classics: Journey to the West, The Water Margin, and The Three Kingdoms.

The Three Kingdoms is one of the Chinese Noble Classics. The great empire of China is in turmoil. As the government becomes increasingly incompetent, warlords and nobles battle for power. In the north is the Kingdom of Wei, headed by cunning and manipulative Cao Cao. In the southeast is the Kingdom of Wu, ruled by masterful and charismatic Sun Quan. In the west is the Kingdom of Shu, commanded by kindhearted and humble Liu Bei. Cao has committed murder and betrayal on his way to glory only to see his family’s throne overthrown by other scheming crooks. Sun and his advisor, Zhou Yu, have established a military stronghold but are no match against Liu’s military strategist, Zhuge Liang, who wisely advocates tolerance and mutual respect. Full of thrilling action, sophisticated stratagems, passionate brotherhood, and loyalty, The Three Kingdoms sums up all the most important lessons of history. If you enjoy this, three other Real Reads Chinese Noble Classics are also available: Dream of the Red Chamber, Journey to the West and The Water Margin.

Is it really possible to become famous throughout your country and beyond both as a fearless warrior and as a renowned poet? Egil Skallagrimsson lived in Iceland a thousand years ago, and this is the story of his long and violent life. He could compose beautiful poetry, but he was also capable of staggering brutality. Can Egil successfully avenge his father's exile from Norway, defend his honor against the Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe, and support the English King Athelstan in his battles against the Scots? When his travels finally find him at home again in Iceland, how will Egil feel about his family-his loving wife Asgerd, the brother he lost in battle, and his dead sons? And what will he do with his two chests of silver? Real Reads are accessible texts designed to support the literacy development of primary and lower secondary age children while introducing them to the riches of our international literary heritage. Each book is a retelling of a work of great literature from one of the world’s greatest cultures, fitted into a 64-page book, making classic stories, dramas and histories available to intelligent young readers as a bridge to the full texts, to language students wanting access to other cultures, and to adult readers who are unlikely ever to read the original versions.

Although Song Jiang is only a lowly local government official, he is loyal to the emperor and kind to all the citizens in his care. But Song is in trouble. A series of unfortunate incidents have led to him being arrested, and his political enemies are keen to see him sentenced to death. There is still hope, however. One hundred and eight brave bandits from Mount Liang have heard of Song’s good name and are willing to rescue him as long as Song will lead them in rebelling against the corrupt government. Will Song agree to become an outlaw? Will he be able to tread the narrow path between right and wrong? Will justice eventually prevail over corruption and the misuse of power?

Edward Waverley is an English officer in the army of King George, but will his love for Flora, the beautiful Scottish rebel, lead him to betray his King? Life with his regiment in Scotland is dull until he visits his uncle’s friends in the Highlands, where he meets Fergus McIvor and his sister Flora. Attracted by the wild freedom and romance of the Scottish clans, Edward finds himself in a difficult and dangerous position. His new friends are Jacobites, planning to overthrow King George and restore the Stuart monarchy. The Jacobites rise in rebellion. When Prince Charles leads an invasion of England, Edward’s loyalties are hopelessly divided. Whose side will he take? And what fate awaits them all? Real Reads are retellings of the classics of world literature, each fitted into a 64-page book. Our books make classic stories, dramas and histories available to young readers as a bridge to the full texts, to reluctant readers as a gentle introduction to a world of wonderful literature, to language students wanting access to other cultures, and to adult readers who are unlikely ever to read the original versions, or simply don’t have time to!

Edinburgh, 1736. In the town’s grim prison, the Heart of Midlothian, two prisoners await execution. Captain Porteous of the Town Guard has been sentenced to death for ordering his soldiers to open fire on Edinburgh citizens. He hopes for reprieve. The people want revenge. Effie Deans, wrongly accused of killing her newborn baby, will die unless her sister, Jeanie, tells a lie. Jeanie, determined to save her sister, makes a terrifying journey as Effie’s life hangs in the balance. Will the two prisoners get the justice they deserve?

Here, Shakespeare's magical play is made accessible to younger readers, while staying true to the Bard's verse and vocabulary. A storm, a shipwreck, an enchanted island.... A violent storm shipwrecks the King of Naples and his noblemen on what appears to be an uninhabited island. They don't know that they have been brought here by powerful magic. Prospero, the mysterious ruler of the island, has a plan, but will he use his magic for revenge or for reconciliation? His daughter, Miranda, has never seen another man except her father. What will she think of the stranger who stumbles into her life? Will Propsero's monstrous servant, Caliban, succeed in overthrowing his master? Enchantment and treachery abound on the island. Which will prove stronger?

"It seems pretty clear to me that sooner or later we’ll be at war with Germany, whether we like it or not." Carruthers is looking forward to a relaxing holiday when he sets off for the Baltic Sea. Instead he finds himself at the centre of a complicated and deadly plot. Will Carruthers and his friend, Arthur Davies, discover why the sinister and mysterious Herr Dollman is so interested in their little yacht, the Dulcibella? What does Clara Dollman know about her father’s plans? Some secret scheme has brought Commander von Brüning of the Imperial German Navy to the East Frisian Islands. Can Carruthers and Davies solve the riddle of the sands?

One of a series of retellings of classic world literature from publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and theme, Real Reads also reflect the original author's style. A brilliant introduction to this early work of science fiction. When Dr Jekyll dares to explore the delicate balance between good and evil, he little suspects the destructive powers he will unleash.

Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, has died suddenly. But instead of grieving, his mother Gertrude has married the dead king’s brother, Claudius. One dark night, Hamlet sees a ghost. It is his dead father, who claims he was murdered by Claudius, the new king. But did Hamlet really see a ghost, or did he just imagine it? And if he did see a ghost, was it telling him the truth? Hamlet plans to avenge his father by killing Claudius. But the man he stabs isn’t Claudius, as he thinks, but his girlfriend’s father. So the wrong man dies. So much tragedy, but there is more to come. Who else will die an untimely death? And who will live to tell the tale? Real Reads are accessible texts designed to support the literacy development of primary and lower secondary age children while introducing them to the riches of our international literary heritage. Each book is a retelling of a work of great literature from one of the world’s greatest cultures, fitted into a 64-page book, making classic stories, dramas and histories available to intelligent young readers as a bridge to the full texts, to language students wanting access to other cultures, and to adult readers who are unlikely ever to read the original versions.