Jonathan Swift's satirical travelogue published in 1726. Widely taught in schools worldwide. Robert McCrum included it among best 100 novels in 2015
Marlow tells story of his time in Congo River collecting ivory. Kurtz, successful ivory trader, goes mad and kills natives. Marlow preserves Kurtz's report and lies to protect his reputation. Story ends with Kurtz's death and Marlow's journey to Europe
London surgeon Lemuel Gulliver embarks on a voyage to new lands. He becomes shipwrecked on Lilliput, inhabited by tiny humans. Gulliver becomes emperor's favorite and fights Blefuscu over an egg. He is captured by Brobdingnagians and works as entertainer. Travels to Laputa, where he meets advanced scientific society
Written by Ben Jonson in 1605-06, first performed at Globe Theatre. Published in quarto in 1607 and folio in 1616. Remains Jonson's most performed play
Jonathan Swift's 1726 prose satire about human nature and traveller's tales. Swift wrote it to vex the world rather than divert it. Became universally read, praised by John Gay for its universal appeal
Bulgakov was born to Orthodox theologian and teacher parents. He served in World War I and Russian Civil War. His plays were banned by Stalin's censors in 1920s. He married three times, including Yelena Shilovskaya. Died in 1940 from kidney problems