30 review for Penguin Modern Classics: The Complete List, including Why Read the Classics?

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Ashleigh – Jul 14, 2012

   You know your book obsession has gone to new levels when you start buying books listing other books! That being said I recently reviewed the guide to cult fiction which is a awesome little book filled with lots of great info on authors, their best books and influences. I was expecting something similar with this but sadly it just isn't any comparison. The book does what it says on the tin. It lists the Penguin modern classics by author and then in A-Z by title with a small essay in between telli You know your book obsession has gone to new levels when you start buying books listing other books! That being said I recently reviewed the guide to cult fiction which is a awesome little book filled with lots of great info on authors, their best books and influences. I was expecting something similar with this but sadly it just isn't any comparison. The book does what it says on the tin. It lists the Penguin modern classics by author and then in A-Z by title with a small essay in between telling us why its important to read the classics. I am not really impressed with this book but will just use it to mark the books I want to get hold of and those I have read or already bought. I don't feel like I can honestly grumble about it as it only costs £1. I just would have liked a little information on the books or the style of them. It seems like there hasn't been much thought gone into this one but like I say it does what it says on the tin. Luckily being part of this wonderful community means I can look the books up individually and add them to my list if they spark my interest, I would have preferred if the book had cleared this up for me.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   P.H. Wilson – Dec 09, 2021

   Real rating 6.3/10 It is precisely what it says on the tin. It has roughly 16 books on each page. The listing themselves go from page 3 to 38, so you are getting a recommended reading list of nearly 600 books. It is predominantly Eurocentric but does feature the likes of Kōbō Abe, Chinua Achebe, Pius Adesanmi, Yasunari Kawabata, Qian Zhongshu (editor mess up here as they listed his given name as is his surname, but did not make the same mistake with Abe Kobo. Ironically GoodReads is the opposite t Real rating 6.3/10 It is precisely what it says on the tin. It has roughly 16 books on each page. The listing themselves go from page 3 to 38, so you are getting a recommended reading list of nearly 600 books. It is predominantly Eurocentric but does feature the likes of Kōbō Abe, Chinua Achebe, Pius Adesanmi, Yasunari Kawabata, Qian Zhongshu (editor mess up here as they listed his given name as is his surname, but did not make the same mistake with Abe Kobo. Ironically GoodReads is the opposite they get the Chinese name correct ie Surname then given name, but screw up the Japanese names). It then does what any book of this nature should do and gives you a sample from one of the authors. In this case, it is from George Orwell's Books v. Cigarettes. It is a pleasant enough read given the context of the complete list. The book however then goes into filler mode and relists all the stories but this time in title A-Z rather than in Author A-Z as it had done in the first half. Thus creating tons of unneeded filler, solely for the sake of the book looking a little thicker.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Kyle Wilkinson – Jan 12, 2022

   It does what it says on the tin, and for that, I find it very useful. Still, I wish Penguin classics would have taken a leaf out of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die collection by including a small essay with each title and why they believe it was worth adding. It's pretty barebones, just having the A-Z of author and title. I'll give it an extra star just for that, though, since it's reminded me that Goodreads desperately desperately needs a sort by option on lists created on the site t It does what it says on the tin, and for that, I find it very useful. Still, I wish Penguin classics would have taken a leaf out of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die collection by including a small essay with each title and why they believe it was worth adding. It's pretty barebones, just having the A-Z of author and title. I'll give it an extra star just for that, though, since it's reminded me that Goodreads desperately desperately needs a sort by option on lists created on the site though it likely won't happen anytime soon.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Amelia – Oct 18, 2011

   What a weird thing to read I'm sure many would say. They aren't all that wrong, by the title alone it merely suggests that I for some reason ordered and paid for a book that merely listed other books. Yet that practice is hardly unheard of, when people buy books that are in the "101 books to read before you die" style. Further I requested this as a birthday present. It cost my sister $1.66 and shipping was free. I should clarify I requested it for the essay and the ability to tick off books I'd a What a weird thing to read I'm sure many would say. They aren't all that wrong, by the title alone it merely suggests that I for some reason ordered and paid for a book that merely listed other books. Yet that practice is hardly unheard of, when people buy books that are in the "101 books to read before you die" style. Further I requested this as a birthday present. It cost my sister $1.66 and shipping was free. I should clarify I requested it for the essay and the ability to tick off books I'd already read from the list and keep a copy on my shelf was merely a plus. The short essay is the perfect thing for a bibliophile looking for something short and thoughtful on a wet or windy day like I had today but also good for those seeking support in a high school essay or just curious about why it is we read the classics. Especially if you're not ashamed to be that weird girl reviewing what the titles suggests is nothing but a booklist.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   stephen – Mar 26, 2016

   A todolist Love lists, love books, then this is a great companion. The Penguin modern classics are a lovely collection of books, this book lists them all. Now where am I going to find time to read them all!

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Slow Man – Apr 03, 2012

   A pretty little pocket orange book There's an essay worth a look A list for penguin lover you can refer them over and over this is silly. A pretty little pocket orange book There's an essay worth a look A list for penguin lover you can refer them over and over this is silly.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Wendy Chard – Jan 20, 2012

   Finally! A way to keep my Penguin Modern Classics addiction in check (and up to date!)

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Jess – Jun 23, 2013

   I aim to read every book in this collection. I have started on a few but it'll be a great accomplishment when it is done. I aim to read every book in this collection. I have started on a few but it'll be a great accomplishment when it is done.

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Ania –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Sue Thompson –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Jason –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Aldrin –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    L J Field –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Priyangshu Dutta –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Kate Goodrum –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Colin –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Martin Bainbridge –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Kenneth Marsden –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Izzylf –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Mishra Sachin –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Southy –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    David Adams –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Rachel Thomas –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Middlethought –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    M CATCHESIDES –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Teresa –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Michelle Johnson –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Alistair Hunter –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Nishka Raman –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Paqsor –