Last year Penguin compiled their 10 Essential Penguin Classics, a list of book they believed everyone should read. After announcing the list they received a lot of push back from disgruntled readers who complained the list wasn't accurate. So Penguin asked it's readers to vote and today they announced the 10 Essential Penguin Classics Redux. On the list:
1. Pride and Prejudice - Austen
2. Hamlet - Shakespeare
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Twain
4. The Odyssey - Homer
5. Jane Eyre - Bronte
6. Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare
7. Great Expectations - Dickens
8. Little Women - Alcott
9. Wuthering Heights - Bronte
10. The Canterbury Tales - Chaucer
So what was bumped off the list? Of Mice and Men, Moby Dick, Metamorphosis, Oedipus Rex, Walden and The Inferno. Me? I prefer the redux. I'm especially happy to see The Canterbury Tales make the list, as that was the title I voted for. However I am sad to see Of Mice and Men and Oedipus Rex go.
Sweet! I've read them all (might be a first?). I've never read Of Mice and Men but should!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion? Ten is just WAY too short a list!!
ReplyDeleteTrish, Nice! The one's I haven't read are The Odyssey, Great Expectations and Little Women, but I've got that one waiting for me on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteKathy, Agreed! But ten is a nice round number.
10 is a tough list to make. I've read Huck Finn, R&J, Great Expectations, and many of The Canterbury Tales. Great Expectations is the best book I was ever assigned to read.
ReplyDeleteI like the redux list better, although I'm sad The Inferno and Oedipus Rex didn't make the new list.
ReplyDeleteMoby Dick shouldn't have made the list in the first place, in my opinion. Highly disappointed when I finally tackled it.
ReplyDeleteTony, I was never assigned Great Expectations and still haven't read it. Actually, I've never read any Dickens at all. I should get on that...
ReplyDeleteRed, I like the redux better as well. And I've never read The Inferno. Am I missing out?
Eric, I haven't tackled any Dickens, but that is good to know.
I like Inferno, especially the Ciardi translation. In the one I had he included a summary at the beginning of each chapter. It makes it easier to understand what's going on while still getting the structure of the cantos.
ReplyDeleteRed, That sounds really interesting, and I would probably benefit a lot from a summary of each chapter if it's written in the style I'm assuming it is.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the redux too - but Im never really sure why The Odyssey makes these lists all the time. I know it's good, but still.... there are so many more I would rather see on the list. I feel similarly about Hamlet, but a little bit less
ReplyDeleteFascinating! I agree with about 2/3rds of them, but would bail on the following:
ReplyDelete"Romeo and Juliet"
"The Odyssey" -- I'd replace with "The Iliad"
"Great Expectations" is NOT Dickens' best in my opinion -- I'd go with "Our Mutual Friend" or "Little Dorrit" or "Dombey and Son" or even "David Copperfield."
And, boy, I just don't know about "The Canterbury Tales" but the people have spoken, I guess. If you want an important moral message about society, what about Aeschylus' trilogy, "The Oresteia"?
Becky, I agree - I would have liked to see a different title in place of The Odyssey, but of course I'm saying that without ever having read the book.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, You really know your classics!
I've got some work to do as I've only read 3 of the list.....
ReplyDeleteI've only ready (4); hope 2011 is the year of more classics for me.
ReplyDeleteI've only read five, but hopefully I can complete the list before the year ends. It's sad, though, that Of Mice and Men got knocked off the list.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great list to start with in classical literature; although, I'm sad to see others not included. I've never understood the Dickens hype, either. My boyfriend's father cracked me up once when he said that after Dickens you may not remember the characters, or even the true plot, but you'll definitely remember the color of the wallpaper in one of the character's rooms. So true! The list is a little heavy with the Anglo influence and could stand further change, but thanks for sharing! Love the new design- very clean and concise.
ReplyDeletefarmlane, 3 isn't bad.
ReplyDeleteDiane, Make it the year of classics!
Darlyn, I know :(
Beth, It is super heavy in Anglo influence. And thanks for the feedback on the new design! I was hoping someone would tell me whether they loved it or hated it.
I do love the new list. It does seem silly to have two from Shakespeare when so many others are left out, but I love both of those plays. I wish something from Steinbeck had made it.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like that list. I've read 7 of 10. Also, I love your blog redesign - it looks great!
ReplyDeleteAvid Reader, Agreed! I think Hamlet should stay and R&J should go. Trade it out for Of Mice and Men. The thing about it is through, is I don't think there will ever be a perfect list - there would always be something someone would want to changed.
ReplyDeleteL.L., Thank you! :)
Well i have read or studied(which is not always quite the same pleasure)every title on this list!
ReplyDeleteLindyLou, Good work!
ReplyDelete