Conan the Cimmerian
by Robert E Howard (1932-33)

Finally, a chronological dream collection of thirteen of Howard's original 1932-33 Conan stories before other writers took over the series. Howard is often credited with creating the sword & sorcery genre. His greatest creation was Conan - a swordsman of the Hyborian Age. Howard's career was tragically cut short by suicide. Don't settle for any of the many inferior Conan collections out there.

Lost Horizon
by James Hilton (1933)

'Shangri-La' has entered the language describing a place where everything is satisfying and existence has meaning. Hilton's classic novel about a group of people fleeing the destructive political upheaval of the modern world is perhaps more pertinent than ever. The answer may not be high up in Himalayas, but the question is. Feature film version first released in 1937.

The Hobbit
by J R R Tolkien (1937)

Tolkien's classic Lord Of the Rings trilogy got its start with this delightful tale of an unassuming hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who discovers his true strengths. When Gandalf the wizard shows up Baggins' world is turned upside-down, eventually leading to a raid on a dragon's treasure trove. Certifiable all-time classic crying out for a decent film version.

The Screwtape Letters
by C S Lewis (1942)

Instructional letters between senior demon Screwtape and his nephew Wormwood form the basis of this wonderful novel about the pitfalls of temptation. Beneath the sardonic wit lies Lewis' more serious theological motives. By succumbing to the demons of temptations we risk becoming self-absorbed in a meaningless life. The Creator holds the key to redemption.

The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)

Published a year before Saint-Exupéry disappeared during a reconnaissance mission, this has become a timeless classic for the ages. A pilot crashes in the Sahara and is visited by a mysterious little prince. They journey to tiny planets, each with only one human inhabitant. At times brilliantly satirical, this touching examination of aloneness and isolation remains eminently entertaining.

Ficciones (Fictions)
by Jorge Luis Borge (1944)

A collection of seventeen tales by Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borge that largely defy description, but definitely fall within the realms of the fantastic. Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest writers of all time, these stories highlight intellectual depth and staggering imagination of which the author was capable. A great one for the deep thinkers.

Animal Farm
by George Orwell (1945)

Orwell's stinging attack on Stalinist Russia came in the form of a fantasy fable about farm animals who stage a revolution against their human oppressor. As in real life, the ideals of the revolution quickly become corrupted. With World War II in full swing and Stalin an ally, finding a publisher was hard going. Classic social commentary and a precursor to 'magical realism'.

Silverlock
by John Myers Myers (1949)

An ingenious fantasy romp that is loaded with laughs and laced with literary allegories. Shipwrecked A Clarence Shandon is rescued by a mysterious sailor who whisks him away to a land full of fantastical literary figures. What follows is a magical mystery tour of the literary roots of the fantasy genre. Absolutely timeless and worth seeking out.