The Canons

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

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
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
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
Notes from a Coma by Mike McCormack cover
The critically acclaimed novel 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
There Are Little Kingdoms by Kevin Barry cover
The debut short story collection from the winner of the IMPAC Award, the Goldsmiths Prize and the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award: ‘The most exciting Irish short story writer of his generation’ Sunday 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.
The Weatherhouse by Nan Shepherd cover
Nan Shepherd’s greatest novel; a masterpiece of Scottish modernism. ‘A blazingly brilliant writer’ - Robert Macfarlane
Docherty by William McIlvanney cover
The Whitbread Prize-winning modern classic. Introduced by Hugh McIlvanney
Spark's Satire by Muriel Spark cover
Anarchic, irreverent and razor-sharp, this new collection of Muriel Spark’s satires confirms its creator as the mistress of British wit
Hope In The Dark by Rebecca Solnit cover
This edition confirms Solnit’s seminal work as a timeless classic on politics and change
Some Rain Must Fall And Other Stories by Michel Faber cover
Bestselling author Michel Faber’s debut joins Canongate’s Canons series with the dazzling Some Rain Must Fall
I'm Not Scared by Niccolò Ammaniti cover
Niccolò Ammaniti’s internationally bestselling novel. ‘A deft masterpiece with never a false note’ - Guardian