Laying humanity bare, these two devastating stories ask- is it possible to have a good death? And what does it mean to truly live?

‘It is only a bruise’ A carefree Russian official has what seems to be a trivial accident… One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics’ huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.