Penguins are the best…..usually. Oxfords are pretty good and sometimes beat Penguins on certain books. The B&N editions are surprisingly good too. Excellent video!
Thank you! I agree completely. Some Penguin editions are definitely the best, especially when it comes to translations. And I know B&N editions aren't that popular to collect, but they are some of my favorites!
The Penguin classics deserve their good reputation on the whole. Their strengths include the sheer range of titles in the series and the readability of the translations. The introductions usually contextualise the text well for new readers and the notes (if present) are often helpful too. Penguin classics also publish some excellent anthologies. The cover artwork is usually well-chosen and attractive. There are some negatives though: many of the translations are getting quite old now and could do with updating; Penguin translations usually aim for readability over literal accuracy, so if it's accuracy you're looking for you may find a different edition suits you better; Penguin quite often abridges books when it doesn't seem necessary. When a text exists in both Penguin and Oxford versions, the Oxford version will normally have a more recent and literally accurate translation. The introduction and notes will tend to be more scholarly in the Oxford edition too. Norton critical editions will be even more scholarly still, with plenty of contextual material and critical essays, but the font size will typically be small. Most of my comments here are generalisations, and with translations you should always try them out and see which one suits you best (more recent doesn't always mean better), but in terms of making a wide variety of classic literature available to readers I can't think of any publishing house that does it better than Penguin classics.
the penguin classics are so vast! I have some Shirley Jackson ones! We collect the modern library classics in our rare book collection 🤗 great classics video! I didn't know there were so many different kinds of penguin classics!
They are vast! I honestly didn't know how many different kind of Penguin classics there were before making this video. I love the Modern Library Classics! The ones I have read, at least, are just as good if not better then Penguin classics.
I've been collecting Penguin classics because I tend to find them thrifted more than other editions... but my favourite editions are the Oxfords... I love the notes at the back and I love how floppy they are 😅 But from Penguin I ADORE the English Library editions... more for the aesthetic haha. p.s. love your shirt :)
I seek out Penguin Classics. The pocket Penguins are so stinking cute!!! Penguin is definitely a collector thing and they have the best notes (even if they include spoilers). You scrolling through all the classics and my reaction was a wide-eyed shock! What a cool tag! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Thank you! I don't think I have a pocket penguin...I'll have to get some, lol. And I agree that they do have the best notes, and often one of the best translations, so I get some of the hype. And so many classics! I was surprised scrolling through too!
Couldn’t click on this fast enough as I don’t collect Penguin classics but if I am looking for a classic, I do prefer their books, particularly for the translations, notes and introductions. For instance, I am reading War and Peace and, despite owning the Oxford World Classic for some years, the Penguin translation by Briggs is the one I went with based on research and it is great. They also had a huge range of classical texts in translation so I have a fair few of those from when I did my classical archaeology degree, including that Rieu translation (didn’t like that translation btw also didn’t know it was their first published classic!). The aesthetics didn’t used to be a focus for me, but I do like their design more often than that of other publishers. Great video!
Interesting. I'm the same. I've never actively collected Penguin classics, but I do have a few of theirs just from learning they are often the best translation. And if I ever reread War and Peace, I'll have to try that Briggs translation! Though I'll probably skip the Rieu translation of The Odyssey then, lol.
I don't have anything to add as I don't really know much about the history of Penguins classics but I loved learning a bit more from you =) The clothbound ones are so pretty!
Thank you! Penguin classics are a lot older then I thought they were! And if only I had more money, I would definitely get some of those clothbound ones, lol.
I mainly collect Penguin classics for the aesthetic. The spines look so nice all lined up! And I do usually like their footnotes. But I think Oxford classics are just as good (and also look quite nice lined up), and I'll go for those if I can't find the book I want in Penguin. But I'd say the actual "best" editions for classics are the Norton Critical Editions. They provide so much historical context.
Interesting. Penguin books are definitely aesthetic, though Norton Critical Editions are exceptional! And I think a complete collection of any editions would look just as good as Penguin classics.
Back when I was still collecting hard copy books, I preferred the B&N versions. That's probably because the Starbucks inside B&N was my unofficial (and more frequented than my real) office. I never really considered comparing the various classic versions. Also, I usually ignore the introduction/commentary altogether. I'd rather decide for myself what the book is saying.
Good for you, I gave up reading the introductions as well as most were so subjective and at times pretentious twaddle, better you explore and decide rather than be influenced by someone who is probably paid by the word. Happy reading.
Lol, I collected mostly B&N editions as a kid, so I get that, lol. And usually I read the introduction and commentary after I read the book if I'm having trouble understanding the story. I do that with same ancient texts especially. But yeah, introductions usually detract from my reading if I read it first.
@@ba-gg6jo You're right! Introductions can be so biased to a particular perspective. Though I do like the introductions written by the actual translator, since you understand how they went about translating a work. A great example is the Penguin classic copies of Dante's The Divine Comedy, translated by Dorothy L. Sayers. Her introductions really give insight as to how to read her Dante translation.
I think they are so popular because they are a truly global brand particularly after merging with Random House. Also their history of publishing quality bound books back in the 1930s when the quality of popular books in the UK at least was very poor. As to the classics I have a few but my main collection of Penguin books is the Orange spined collection of non-fiction ranging from religion to politics. As to other companies I recommend 'Vintage Russian classics', as the translations are very good as is the quality of printing and binding.
You make a good point. Penguin books did something during the time that wasn't being done before, even though now there are so many companies that do similar things. And I've seen those Vintage Russian classics and they are so pretty, but I haven't read any of those editions yet!
I have quite a few soft cover publishers that I like; vintage classics, penguin deluxe (for a splurge), Harper Collins, Barnes and Noble and penguin classics. I like the notes in penguin classics and tend to favor those editions with antiquity or subjects I'm not knowledgeable in. I don't care for the intro spoilers with and read those last if I remember to. 🤷♀️🤔My speculation for the p. classic popularity is the rise of "dark academia" since they have the black spine; the middle of the road pricing, solid quality for the price and they tend to have really nice font size.
That's a good point! I didn't consider dark academia being attached to Penguin classics' popularity but you may be right. And I quite like the notes in penguin classics for ancient and unfamiliar texts too!
@@AnneEWilliamson Yeah lots of people are obsessed with matching spines or the books matching their decor. Which is totally fine. I personally don't bother with that as I really enjoy adding unique thrifted books to my shelves. I love old books and enjoy making books my own with annotations or personal marginalia.
I think I only own one Norton edition, but I agree that I love that one! You make a good point that a lot of editions are just as good or better then Penguin.
I have often wondered about this, seeing them all over booktube! Thanks for doing this and going into it. I think I’ve only ever ended up with some because of the translation, orrr just cheap on bookoutlet. The Honjin Murders I read seemed like the translation was kind of suspect, so if it is just for the translations, that’s kind of funny. I’ve never thought about the prestige and hyped of the classic. I’d have thought Oxford would be kind of a bigger deal. And also, yeah, I never read introductions, they should universally before afterwards imo. I don’t get it.
Right? I've usually only bought Penguin classics because I see them used and want the book, but because they're Penguin classics. And some translations are so bad! And there are both Oxford and Cambridge Classics, which I definitely think should be just as popular. Ah, well, I will never understand popularity of things, lol.
The Wordsworth Classics Introductions are really good. They sorta give a background of the author and his works so readers know where he's coming from. I have many Dostoevsky's works in the Wordsworth editions and the Introductions are always well written 👌
Top Tip: HARDCOVERS. Nobody cares about Penguin Schmenguin. They’re paperbacks, correct? Go to World of Books or Abe Books websites and filter out the hardcovers (WoB mostly second hand) Hardcovers wear better and longer and will ultimately become more valuable. Just my opinion. Thank you for your content
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Penguins are the best…..usually. Oxfords are pretty good and sometimes beat Penguins on certain books. The B&N editions are surprisingly good too. Excellent video!
Thank you! I agree completely. Some Penguin editions are definitely the best, especially when it comes to translations. And I know B&N editions aren't that popular to collect, but they are some of my favorites!
The Penguin classics deserve their good reputation on the whole. Their strengths include the sheer range of titles in the series and the readability of the translations. The introductions usually contextualise the text well for new readers and the notes (if present) are often helpful too. Penguin classics also publish some excellent anthologies. The cover artwork is usually well-chosen and attractive.
There are some negatives though: many of the translations are getting quite old now and could do with updating; Penguin translations usually aim for readability over literal accuracy, so if it's accuracy you're looking for you may find a different edition suits you better; Penguin quite often abridges books when it doesn't seem necessary.
When a text exists in both Penguin and Oxford versions, the Oxford version will normally have a more recent and literally accurate translation. The introduction and notes will tend to be more scholarly in the Oxford edition too. Norton critical editions will be even more scholarly still, with plenty of contextual material and critical essays, but the font size will typically be small.
Most of my comments here are generalisations, and with translations you should always try them out and see which one suits you best (more recent doesn't always mean better), but in terms of making a wide variety of classic literature available to readers I can't think of any publishing house that does it better than Penguin classics.
the penguin classics are so vast! I have some Shirley Jackson ones! We collect the modern library classics in our rare book collection 🤗 great classics video! I didn't know there were so many different kinds of penguin classics!
They are vast! I honestly didn't know how many different kind of Penguin classics there were before making this video. I love the Modern Library Classics! The ones I have read, at least, are just as good if not better then Penguin classics.
I've been collecting Penguin classics because I tend to find them thrifted more than other editions... but my favourite editions are the Oxfords... I love the notes at the back and I love how floppy they are 😅 But from Penguin I ADORE the English Library editions... more for the aesthetic haha.
p.s. love your shirt :)
I seek out Penguin Classics. The pocket Penguins are so stinking cute!!! Penguin is definitely a collector thing and they have the best notes (even if they include spoilers).
You scrolling through all the classics and my reaction was a wide-eyed shock!
What a cool tag! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Thank you! I don't think I have a pocket penguin...I'll have to get some, lol. And I agree that they do have the best notes, and often one of the best translations, so I get some of the hype. And so many classics! I was surprised scrolling through too!
Couldn’t click on this fast enough as I don’t collect Penguin classics but if I am looking for a classic, I do prefer their books, particularly for the translations, notes and introductions. For instance, I am reading War and Peace and, despite owning the Oxford World Classic for some years, the Penguin translation by Briggs is the one I went with based on research and it is great. They also had a huge range of classical texts in translation so I have a fair few of those from when I did my classical archaeology degree, including that Rieu translation (didn’t like that translation btw also didn’t know it was their first published classic!). The aesthetics didn’t used to be a focus for me, but I do like their design more often than that of other publishers. Great video!
Interesting. I'm the same. I've never actively collected Penguin classics, but I do have a few of theirs just from learning they are often the best translation. And if I ever reread War and Peace, I'll have to try that Briggs translation! Though I'll probably skip the Rieu translation of The Odyssey then, lol.
@@AnneEWilliamson 😂
Wow, it was cool to see all the different 'lines' of classics that Penguin has done! Didn't realize! :D
We adore the notes in the outro of the classics ...it really touches our hearts 💕👈🏾 Happy Bookish Wednesday Friends
I definitely agree. The notes at the end are great! Happy Bookish Wednesday.
I don't have anything to add as I don't really know much about the history of Penguins classics but I loved learning a bit more from you =) The clothbound ones are so pretty!
Thank you! Penguin classics are a lot older then I thought they were! And if only I had more money, I would definitely get some of those clothbound ones, lol.
I mainly collect Penguin classics for the aesthetic. The spines look so nice all lined up! And I do usually like their footnotes. But I think Oxford classics are just as good (and also look quite nice lined up), and I'll go for those if I can't find the book I want in Penguin. But I'd say the actual "best" editions for classics are the Norton Critical Editions. They provide so much historical context.
Interesting. Penguin books are definitely aesthetic, though Norton Critical Editions are exceptional! And I think a complete collection of any editions would look just as good as Penguin classics.
Back when I was still collecting hard copy books, I preferred the B&N versions. That's probably because the Starbucks inside B&N was my unofficial (and more frequented than my real) office. I never really considered comparing the various classic versions. Also, I usually ignore the introduction/commentary altogether. I'd rather decide for myself what the book is saying.
Good for you, I gave up reading the introductions as well as most were so subjective and at times pretentious twaddle, better you explore and decide rather than be influenced by someone who is probably paid by the word. Happy reading.
Lol, I collected mostly B&N editions as a kid, so I get that, lol. And usually I read the introduction and commentary after I read the book if I'm having trouble understanding the story. I do that with same ancient texts especially. But yeah, introductions usually detract from my reading if I read it first.
@@ba-gg6jo You're right! Introductions can be so biased to a particular perspective. Though I do like the introductions written by the actual translator, since you understand how they went about translating a work. A great example is the Penguin classic copies of Dante's The Divine Comedy, translated by Dorothy L. Sayers. Her introductions really give insight as to how to read her Dante translation.
currently own 58 penguin clothbound classics. They look great the shelf
They are so pretty!
Cage match! Penguin v Oxford v Signet v ...Dover Thrift??? Those got me through in.a pinch in several instances! ;D
I think they are so popular because they are a truly global brand particularly after merging with Random House. Also their history of publishing quality bound books back in the 1930s when the quality of popular books in the UK at least was very poor. As to the classics I have a few but my main collection of Penguin books is the Orange spined collection of non-fiction ranging from
religion to politics. As to other companies I recommend 'Vintage Russian classics', as the translations are very good as is the quality of printing and binding.
You make a good point. Penguin books did something during the time that wasn't being done before, even though now there are so many companies that do similar things. And I've seen those Vintage Russian classics and they are so pretty, but I haven't read any of those editions yet!
@@AnneEWilliamson Their version of Doctor Zhivago is worth a look, a good translation with the cover is based on Russian textile designs.
I have quite a few soft cover publishers that I like; vintage classics, penguin deluxe (for a splurge), Harper Collins, Barnes and Noble and penguin classics. I like the notes in penguin classics and tend to favor those editions with antiquity or subjects I'm not knowledgeable in. I don't care for the intro spoilers with and read those last if I remember to.
🤷♀️🤔My speculation for the p. classic popularity is the rise of "dark academia" since they have the black spine; the middle of the road pricing, solid quality for the price and they tend to have really nice font size.
That's a good point! I didn't consider dark academia being attached to Penguin classics' popularity but you may be right. And I quite like the notes in penguin classics for ancient and unfamiliar texts too!
@@AnneEWilliamson Yeah lots of people are obsessed with matching spines or the books matching their decor. Which is totally fine. I personally don't bother with that as I really enjoy adding unique thrifted books to my shelves. I love old books and enjoy making books my own with annotations or personal marginalia.
I work in a second hand book shop and Penguin Classics are our biggest seller.
I'm not surprised, honestly. Penguin Classics are so popular!
Maybe we will try second hand books store ..Great idea 💡 We are catching up on our bookish comments and videos today ✌🏽
I actually like the Norton critical editions, which are meant for students but I like how they will have foot notes that explain historical contexts
I think I only own one Norton edition, but I agree that I love that one! You make a good point that a lot of editions are just as good or better then Penguin.
I have often wondered about this, seeing them all over booktube! Thanks for doing this and going into it. I think I’ve only ever ended up with some because of the translation, orrr just cheap on bookoutlet.
The Honjin Murders I read seemed like the translation was kind of suspect, so if it is just for the translations, that’s kind of funny.
I’ve never thought about the prestige and hyped of the classic. I’d have thought Oxford would be kind of a bigger deal.
And also, yeah, I never read introductions, they should universally before afterwards imo. I don’t get it.
Hi Fraser!!!
Right? I've usually only bought Penguin classics because I see them used and want the book, but because they're Penguin classics. And some translations are so bad! And there are both Oxford and Cambridge Classics, which I definitely think should be just as popular. Ah, well, I will never understand popularity of things, lol.
@@AnneEWilliamson is it an American predominately thing?
@@Shellyish hi punk!
@@SpringboardThought I know Penguin Books was originally British, but perhaps it became popular mostly in America. I'm not sure...
The Wordsworth Classics Introductions are really good. They sorta give a background of the author and his works so readers know where he's coming from. I have many Dostoevsky's works in the Wordsworth editions and the Introductions are always well written 👌
I think I own a couple of those and I love my copies, but I definitely need to explore more of the Wordsworth Classics!
(Note to self - Wordsworth Books)
Top Tip: HARDCOVERS. Nobody cares about Penguin Schmenguin. They’re paperbacks, correct?
Go to World of Books or Abe Books websites and filter out the hardcovers (WoB mostly second hand)
Hardcovers wear better and longer and will ultimately become more valuable.
Just my opinion.
Thank you for your content
"Quite bonkers" 😆👏🏽
Just found your channel and I’m so glad I did, great to find a fellow kindred spirit! Would it be okay if I did this tag on my channel? ☺️
Of course! The more people doing the tag, the better! Thank you for the kind words!
Man's Search For Meaning is propaganda.
How so?