david mitchell cloud atlas hachette essentials

But never fear, dear reader, these “modern classics” carry the zing of contemporary literature along with the literary weight. There are big names, complex issues, literary sparkle, deft humour, and lots of literary prize-winners: Booker, Pulitzer, Orange. Hachette’s 11 Essentials – its first foray into classics – have been drawn from fiction and non-fiction titles in the group’s extensive global publishing stable.

One of the unread has been sitting in the pile next to my bed for – gosh – probably more than a year. Some on the list I had read, others I had heard of, some I had not. From 1001 to just 11? Were they really “essential”? What do you mean by “classic”? Do they deserve some of the time before I die? What a relief to learn that, on the literary front, Hachette has come up with a list of 11 “modern classics”, labelled Hachette Essentials, which it says will compete with the likes of Vintage and Penguin Modern Classics. My undergraduate copy of The Norton Anthology of English Literature (2582 featherlight pages) remains handy, mostly to help a high schooler with their homework. Next to the bed is 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die (balances out the classical stuff). On my bookshelf is 1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die (roughly one a week, although I’d better get a wriggle on). I’m a sucker for those lists of must-read books, must-listen-to music and must-see art – whatever I think might offer enlightenment, a gem of delight, or be useful for a pub quiz or Trivial Pursuit.

David mitchell cloud atlas hachette essentials