Public domain books

Christie died on 12 January 1976. In countries with a life+50 term (for example China, Egypt, South Africa, the UAE and Saudi Arabia) her whole catalogue, Poirot and Marple included, becomes free in 2027.

Milne died in January 1956, so his Pooh books, poems (When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six) and plays become free across the UK, the EU and other life+70 countries. The US freed the 1926 book in 2022 and The House at Pooh Corner (Tigger) in 2024.

The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage, Life of Galileo, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Brecht died in August 1956, so his works become free in life+70 countries, ending one of the strictest estates in theatre.

Pulitzer Prize novel about a Chinese farming family, a bestseller for two years and a key reason Buck won the Nobel.

The elephant king's first book. Free in Europe since 2008 (de Brunhoff died in 1937); the original French edition becomes free in the US in 2027.

Forester died in 1966, so India (life+60) frees Hornblower and The African Queen in 2027.

One of Turkey's best-loved novels; Güntekin died in December 1956, so Turkey (life+70) frees it in 2027.

The 1931 original texts of two Nancy Drew mysteries.

May's original story poem; he died in 1976.

Faulkner's darkest and best-selling novel of his early career.

Hammett's own favourite of his novels, a political crime story.

A snowbound Christie mystery that starts with a séance.

Woolf's most experimental novel. Already free in Europe since 2012; the US catches up in 2027.

The peaceful bull. Leaf died in 1976.

Waugh's satire of the Bright Young Things.

The British poet and ghost-story writer (The Listeners, Memoirs of a Midget).

One of the best-selling self-help books ever. Carnegie died in 1955, so it is free in the EU, the UK, Australia and other life+70 countries.

Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain, Death in Venice, Doctor Faustus. Mann died in 1955, so all his works became free in Europe and other life+70 countries, Australia included.

Einstein's papers, books and letters published in his lifetime became free in life+70 countries.

Faulkner's novel of the Bundren family's journey, told in 15 voices.

Wodehouse died in 1975: Jeeves, Wooster and Blandings became free in life+50 countries.

The popular illustrated version of the "I think I can" story.

The full book version introducing Sam Spade. The novel and the character as written are free in the US.

The first novel featuring Miss Marple.

Freud's essay on happiness and society, in the original German. Freud died in 1939, so it has been free in Europe since 2010.

The first appearances of the reading-primer characters.

The Human Condition, Eichmann in Jerusalem.

The Revolt of the Masses and his essays.

A science-fiction history of humanity over two billion years.

Children's sailing adventure classic.

Both died in 1965, so India freed their works in 2026.

Maugham's novel. Maugham died in 1965, so India freed all his works in 2026.

Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey.

Two major poets who died in 1955.

Free in the US since 2021 and in Europe since 2011, it has since become one of the most adapted books (musicals, novels, games).

Free in most of Europe since 2015.

Barrie died in 1937, so Peter Pan is free in most of the world.

The evergreen public domain classics, free nearly everywhere.