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Penguin Classics has compiled a list of the top ten essential Penguin Classics every person should read. Each of these ten great works—ranging from poetry to plays to novels and non-fiction—has lasted and enlightened audiences throughout the ages, and they all still have something relevant to say to readers. Look over the list, and explore this website to learn more about each of the ten books.
Watch The Ten Essential Penguin Classics, a twenty-minute video program highlighting each of the ten books listed above.
Why read classic works of literature? There are a myriad of reasons, just one of which is to catch the numerous references that appear in movies, television, politics, and throughout pop culture. In the above video, you can see a trailer for a short film we produced showing what happens to a hapless young suitor who hasn't read our Essential Classics.
You can watch the entire video here.
Four Penguin staffers recently sat down to talk about the Top Ten Essential Penguin Classics, how the list was compiled, their own favorite classics, and why classic books can appeal to modern readers. Click here for the transcript.
Each Tuesday we'll be adding a new page to this minisite that features an in-depth look at one of the books on the list, starting at number 10 and working our way up to number 1.
Click here to read about book number 1: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
Get all Ten Essential Classics for $99 (plus shipping).
to add the books to your shopping cart.
Congratulations to Chrandra Smith from Duncan, Oklahoma for winning our Ten Essential Penguin Classics Sweepstakes. Thank you to all who participated and shared their favorite classic with us.
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