The Canons

The Canons are books without boundaries. Some are classics already, the rest will be soon.

Highland River by Neil M. Gunn cover
A dark and uplifting modern classic of Scottish literature. Introduced by Diarmid Gunn
Its Colours They Are Fine by Alan Spence cover
Alan Spence’s debut collection of short stories is a timeless portrait of Glasgow, and an acknowledged piece of classic Scottish writing
Sex & Rage by Eve Babitz cover
A rediscovered classic: Eve Babitz’s wry, tender coming-of-age tale of 1970s LA
Weight by Jeanette Winterson cover
A strikingly original and profound slice of mythology from the award-winning author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Philadelphia Fire by John Edgar Wideman cover

The lyrical masterpiece from John Edgar Wideman, one of the standout black American writers of the modern age and winner of the 2017 Prix Femina Étranger

Brothers and Keepers by John Edgar Wideman cover
The seminal memoir from John Edgar Wideman, one of the standout black American writers of the modern age and winner of the 2017 Prix Femina Étranger
Mauve by Simon Garfield cover
The strange and wonderful story of how one colour changed the world, from the bestselling author of Just My Type and On the Map
Writing to Save a Life by John Edgar Wideman cover
The new international prizewinning non-fiction from John Edgar Wideman, one of the standout black American writers of the modern age and winner of the 2017 Prix Femina Étranger
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood cover
Penelope’s slyly brilliant side of the story, from the Booker Prize-winning author of The Blind Assassin and The Handmaid’s Tale
The People Of The Sea by David Thomson cover
Introduced by Seamus Heaney, The People of the Sea brings to life the legend of the mythical selchies, in beautiful, poetic prose
Free Women, Free Men by Camille Paglia cover
From fiery intellectual provocateur Camille Paglia: the definitive essay collection that celebrates and challenges modern feminism and gender
Snowblind by Robert Sabbag cover
A true crime cult classic that lifts the lid on the dazzle and menace of the cocaine trade
A Night Out with Robert Burns by Robert Burns, Andrew O'Hagan cover
The definitive collections of poetry by Robert Burns, arranged and introduced by award-winning writer Andrew O’Hagan. ‘Save this collection a place at your Burns table’ Guardian
The Quarry Wood by Nan Shepherd cover
On its 90th anniversary, the debut novel - one of the most important works of Scottish modernism - from Nan Shepherd, author of The Living Mountain and The Weatherhouse
The Complete Short Stories by Muriel Spark cover
The definitive short story collection from an unmistakable voice. Introduced by Janice Galloway
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg cover
The definitive edition of the all-time Scottish novel - an ‘enduring masterpeice’ - introduced by Ian Rankin
Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura cover
An evocative historical novel with a sting in the tail, Shipwrecks is a powerful and deeply moving Japanese classic, introduced by David Mitchell
Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, Larry Siems cover
The international bestseller that set the world on fire, told in full for the first time: Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s unflinching account of his fourteen years of detention without charge in Guantánamo Bay
To the River by Olivia Laing cover
An odyssey along the banks of the River Ouse, from source to sea; a profound and haunting reflection on history and landscape by one of the most important writers of modern non-fiction
The Trip to Echo Spring by Olivia Laing cover
A captivating exploration of alcoholism and literature by the author of The Lonely City; ‘beguiling, beautifully written … brilliant and original’ - Sunday Times
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman cover
The number one Sunday Times bestseller from award-winning and critically acclaimed author Philip Pullman
Gold from the Stone by Lemn Sissay cover
New work and old favourites from national treasure and one of Britain’s most exciting poets, Lemn Sissay
The Hawkline Monster by Richard Brautigan cover
A magical adventure through Eastern Oregon, The Hawkline Monster confirms Richard Brautigan’s place as one of the twentieth century’s most exciting writers
Dreaming of Babylon by Richard Brautigan cover
‘An absolute original’ Guardian