Penguin Clothbound Classics discussion

Most of us came across this lovely set of 4 Clothbound Classics published by Penguin India.

1. 2. 3. 4.

However, you might also have noticed that the designs are not quite the same as regular editions, and that the Penguin Clothbound Classics series usually do not include religious texts.

I emailed Coralie Bickford-Smith and she told me that the Penguin India Clothbound Classics are NOT part of the official series. She also mentioned that she was not even involved in the design process, and that Penguin India only used her style (without actually consulting her) as inspiration.

That doesn't take away that they are lovely 'imitations', and I am sure they make an excellent read. However, they will not be featured within this group.

I am from India and I own 2 penguin clothbound classics of India- The Ramayana and The Mahabharata and I have to say the design is beautiful. But they didn’t give the cloth ribbon bookmark which rhey give in other books for these 2 books

Ankur wrote: "I am from India and I own 2 penguin clothbound classics of India- The Ramayana and The Mahabharata and I have to say the design is beautiful. But they didn’t give the cloth ribbon bookmark which rh..."

I didn't know that: very interesting. I wonder why? Thank you for letting us know Ankur.