First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows is one of the most enduring works of English literature, beloved for its warmth, wit, and quietly profound sense of place. Set along the riverbank and surrounding countryside, the novel follows the adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and the irrepressible Mr. Toad, whose escapades mask deeper reflections on friendship, home, and the passage of time. At once pastoral idyll, gentle satire, and philosophical fable, Grahame’s prose moves effortlessly between playful humor and moments of surprising emotional depth. This Oxford World’s Classics edition, edited and introduced by Peter Green, includes scholarly notes that illuminate the book’s classical allusions, Edwardian context, and lasting literary significance, making it an ideal edition for both new readers and longtime admirers.
About the Author
Kenneth Grahame (1859–1932) was a British writer whose work is distinguished by its lyricism, humor, and sensitivity to landscape and inner life. Though he published essays and short stories throughout his career, The Wind in the Willows remains his masterpiece and one of the most influential children’s books ever written—though it has long been recognized as a work that speaks equally to adults. Drawing on classical literature, pastoral tradition, and his own love of the English countryside, Grahame created a timeless world that continues to resonate across generations.
