The Canons

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

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
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 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
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood cover
A feminist retelling, Penelope’s slyly brilliant side of the story, from the Booker Prize-winning author of The Blind Assassin and The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood
Snowblind by Robert Sabbag cover
A true crime cult classic that lifts the lid on the dazzle and menace of the cocaine trade
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
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
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 Complete Short Stories by Muriel Spark cover
The definitive short story collection from an unmistakable voice. Introduced by Janice Galloway
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
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
To the River by Olivia Laing cover
An odyssey along the banks of the River Ouse, from source to sea, by the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lonely City and Crudo
So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away by Richard Brautigan cover
‘Poetic, gently eccentric and deeply poignant’ THE TIMES
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
Getting it in the Head by Mike McCormack cover
The celebrated debut short story collection from the author of Solar Bones, winner of the 2016 Goldsmiths Prize and BGE Irish Book of the Year
Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn cover

‘Neither Wolf Nor Dog is a book of revelation … a true-life fable and a provocative call … remarkable’ Robert Plant

The Last Holiday by Gil Scott-Heron cover
‘Leave it to Scott-Heron to save some of his best for last … He’s a real writer, a word man, and [The Last Holiday] is as wriggling and vital in its way as Bob Dylan’s Chronicles: Volume One’ New York Times
Trickster Makes This World by Lewis Hyde cover
This book from the author of The Gift is about imagination and philosophy and was described by Margaret Atwood as a ‘masterpiece’
Close to the Knives by David Wojnarowicz cover
The powerful, personal and iconoclastic memoir of David Wojnarowicz, AIDS activist, author and one of the most provocative artists of his generation. With a new introduction by Olivia Laing.
The Abundance by Annie Dillard cover
The best writing from the Pulitzer Prize-winning nature writer, with a foreword by Geoff Dyer.