Pride and Prejudice for everyone
Brontëana points us to an article in the Financial Times discussing the continuing popularity of classic novels, with a focus on various editions of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen, that perennial favourite, is illustrative. This summer, readers can expect to come across at least three competing new editions of her work (excluding tie-ins to the latest Pride and Prejudice film). Most newsworthy has been Headline’s repackaging of her six novels to appeal to readers of contemporary women’s fiction: Jane Austen as godmother of chick-lit is the implication, though the pastel covers and discreet period details are more subdued than most romantic potboiler jackets.
Austen’s novels, which have never been out of print since they were first published in the early 19th century, have a long bestselling career. Adam Freudenheim, publisher of Penguin Classics, estimates that Penguin may have sold over 10 million copies of her work (two million of Pride and Prejudice) in the various Penguin editions since the company was founded in 1935. (The latest Pride and Prejudice film, he reckons, has helped to shift some 150,000 extra copies of the book so far, including 60,000 of the film tie-in.)
Only two million? 
We previously posted about the Headline editions, the Bloomsbury edition and the Penguin edition (endorsed by a certain NBA star). And the Brontëites are none too happy with THEIR Bloomsbury editions.
