Thu 19 Aug
2010
Penguin Classics Repackages Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors and I make no apologies for being yet another of his countless fans who considers “The Great Gatsby” to be my favorite book of all time. In fact, I own, in some form or another, most of Fitzgerald’s works, but these new editions from Penguin Classics are so aesthetically striking — and smart in their execution — that I would seriously consider buying them again. In fact, the new packaging for “Gatsby,” is in my mind such an improvement over the original, iconic yet highly imperfect cover illustration that I would gladly own it just so I don’t have to look at that old one anymore.
Remarks 7 total remarks were added before the post was closed.
I agree; these are quite beautiful. I also liked the recentish, letterpress-like covers they did for a series whose name I’ve forgotten.
These seem to be getting a lot of attention. I enjoy the designs a great deal, they express the essence of the books without giving too much away.
Josh Hurtado
Royall Advertising
19 Aug 2010, 05:35 pm
Striking and, to my eye, near perfect. (Plus, hitherto unseen by me, so thanks for bringing them to my attention)
I wish the Everyman Library had gone a similarly inspired route for their catalog - my all-time favorite book - Catch 22 - has never really managed a good cover in any of its many iterations, up to and including the otherwise very fine Everyman edition.
On a related note, I’m always surprised and a tiny bit saddened that the page design and overall textual architecture of trade editions receives so little discussion. These may not be the things that first catch our eye, but they are the elements of the book readers spend the most time with. You’d think that there would be more attention paid to them.
20 Aug 2010, 09:20 am
It reminds me of the Everyman’s Library but with a modern flair. What do the title pages look like.