Kindle Price: $9.99

Save $5.00 (33%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

John Atkinson
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Abridged Classics: Brief Summaries of Books You Were Supposed to Read but Probably Didn't Kindle Edition

by John Atkinson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 178 ratings
See all formats and editions

A collection of irreverent summations of more than 100 well-known works of literature, from Anna Karenina to Wuthering Heights, cleverly described in the fewest words possible and accompanied with funny color illustrations.

Abridged Classics: Brief Summaries of Books You Were Supposed to Read but Probably Didn’t is packed with dozens of humorous super-condensed summations of some of the most famous works of literature from many of the world’s most revered authors, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Emily Brontë, Leo Tolstoy, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, James Joyce, Plato, Ernest Hemingway, Dan Brown, Ayn Rand, and Herman Melville.

From "Old ladies convince a guy to ruin Scotland" (Macbeth) to "Everyone is sad. It snows." (War and Peace), these clever, humorous synopses are sure to make book lovers smile.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    157 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    June 5, 2018
  6. File size
    14888 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

John Atkinson has illustrated and summarized the books you don’t want to read but nevertheless feel you should. — the Paris Review

Turns out you can summarize Proust’s In Search of Lost Time with two pictures. — Lithub

This book will appeal to people that read the New Yorker for the cartoons, or enjoy Tom Gauld’s reading-themed cartoons. — ComicsDC

“Very funny stuff…There is a lot going on in Atkinson’s deceptively simple cartoons…and the magic is in how he achieves the maximum impact with as little as possible. So, it makes total sense for Atkinson to tackle some of the most celebrated books–with hilarious results.” — Comics Grinder

He compiles super-succinct summaries of literary classics in the light-hearted, humorous style that his blog readers have grown to love. — Wordpress

John Atkinson, is giving all book lovers a chuckle with his condensed literary classic cartoons, which include abbreviations of famous works of literature. — Buzzfeed

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B072MF2KPK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper (June 5, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 5, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 14888 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 157 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 178 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
John Atkinson

John Atkinson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
178 global ratings
Funny
5 Stars
Funny
I bought this as a gift.It’s a very quick read - but definitely funny.There are some “classics” mentioned that I’ve never heard of, but the majority of books covered are well known.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Philip woodyard
5.0 out of 5 stars Very very funny and very imaginative.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
A book to be dipped into and enjoyed. The sharp and witty humor will cheer up even the darkest day. Highly recommended
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Darlene Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
So funny! But only if you’ve read the originals. LOVED it!!
Helpful
 Report
Curt Rowlett
5.0 out of 5 stars More Like This, Please!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
I have been a fan of John Atkinson's "Wrong Hands" website since I first discovered it via a Facebook page dedicated to classic literature.

His "Abridged Classics" is an absolute delight and a real treasure for all of those who love reading the classics.

I sincerely hope is that Mr. Atkinson will deliver more of the same in the future.
Helpful
 Report
Timothy Haugh
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny for a Few Minutes
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
OK, this book takes about 10 minutes to read. It takes classic books and describes them in a sentence or two (The Odyssey: “War veteran takes forever to get home, then kills everyone.”) with a simple cartoon illustration. There are some misses and a bit of repetition; however, for the most part, it a funny collection. I’m not convinced it’s worth the investment, but it’s worth a read.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
FS-IND
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this as a gift.
It’s a very quick read - but definitely funny.
There are some “classics” mentioned that I’ve never heard of, but the majority of books covered are well known.
Customer image
FS-IND
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
I bought this as a gift.
It’s a very quick read - but definitely funny.
There are some “classics” mentioned that I’ve never heard of, but the majority of books covered are well known.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Helpful
 Report
Avidreader
5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, charming gift
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
I came across a few Wrong Hands puns on Facebook ads and just had to click for more. I can't get over how clever Atkinson is. Every illustration brings a smile, as well. This collection of literary silliness belongs on a gift list for anyone who's read or wants to read the classics. Why not make a game of it, by reading the summary and have players guess the title? So fun!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
JJB
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is the funniest book I have ever read! It appeals to people with a quirky sense of humor. I have read the book out loud to some of my friends while we are looking at the pictures. We both laughed out loud and had lots of fun sharing our memories of books we have read. I was expecting a short summary of each classic and was pleasantly surprised. After I finish this review, I will go right now and read the book again! I think the laughs ARE $20! JJB
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
CJC
5.0 out of 5 stars So funny…in a snoutyway
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
It reads too quickly… you should space it to make the laughs last.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
David Melanson
5.0 out of 5 stars A great ,funny little book...only available to purchase on line
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Bought for a gift, arrived in perfect condition, and fast shipping time
Report
Junfu Tian
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Very interesting book
Report
dora
5.0 out of 5 stars such fun for intellectuals
Reviewed in Germany on March 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
great little book to also be offered as a gift and minimal pretty illustrations
Report
FatCat and Co.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brillaintly crisp!
Reviewed in India on June 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
This was a brilliant five minutes! I'll come back to it once I've forgotten the gems in this book.
3 people found this helpful
 Report
Helga Abendroth
3.0 out of 5 stars Leider nicht wie die Webcomics.
Reviewed in Germany on August 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ich liebe Wronghands Webcomics. Leider sind die "Abridged Classics" eben genau das: sehr gurze, trockene Zusammenfassungen des Inhalts der wichtigsten Literaturklassiker in ein oder zwei Bildern und einem trockenen Kommentar. Zum Brüllen komisch, aber eben keine weiteren Cartoons. Ich hoffe, der Author gibt auch noch Bücher zu seinen Webcomics heraus. Die sind noch besser!
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report