Lovereading.co.uk

The reductions in length have been done with sensitivity and in no way detract from the spirit of the original.

SO WHY DO WE NEED THEM?
Many of us just don't have time to read books over 1,000 pages long. We lead busy lives. There's work and kids and all the other things that take up our days.
When it comes to the Classics many people have been put off them at school, or intimidated by the length and the small type. But maybe a TV adaptation or a film has rekindled interest.
The dated covers have been updated with modern designs, the typefaces made more readable and timelines have been to place the books in their historical context.

What readers think of these ‘modern’ classics:

'They are great, because it means that less well-known classic books can be brought to the attention of readers who would not be able to cope with the size of the originals' Lucy Guest (older reader)

'the language hasn't been altered so they still have the feeling of a classic and it allows an opportunity for those with limited time to read them' Lyndsey Kalaher (35 years old)

'I found the edited text more enjoyable. The story was great and there was less pages of description that you often get in these books' Lisa Maitland ( older reader)

'if you can make a film of Pride and Prejudice that lasts less than two hours, then why can't you cut the original story to a manageable 300 pages?' Simon Williams (28 years old)

'The Compact Editions are aimed at encouraging more mainstream readers to become better aquainted with our literary heritage which, personally, I salute' Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller

So why not put any literary snobbishness aside and take a closer look. And click here to let us know what you think.