One of the best-known book series in the English-speaking world is “Penguin Classics.” Since 1946, Penguin has published classics of world literature in the series’ distinctive black “Black Spine” design in affordable editions. Now Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe is bringing the renowned series to Germany, timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Penguin Verlag in Germany. Starting January 4, Penguin Verlag will publish “Penguin Klassiker,” an independent German-language series of classics in the iconic “Black Spine” design. The new series launches with 50 titles from world literature at accessible prices. By 2029, the collection is set to grow to 200 titles, establishing a long-term curated classics list. The launch will be supported by marketing, social media, and retail initiatives, including in-store campaigns designed to ensure strong visibility in bookstores.
‘The world’s most famous classics series’
“I’m absolutely delighted that ‘Penguin Klassiker’ is bringing the world’s most famous classics series to German-speaking readers,” said Eva Schubert, Publishing Director of Penguin Verlag. “At Penguin Verlag, our goal is to publish the best stories for every kind of reader. Expanding our publishing program to include great works of world literature that have stood the test of time therefore feels like a natural next step. The timeless black design of the ‘Penguin Classics’ has been familiar to literature fans in Germany for decades; now we want to appeal particularly to younger readers through the way we market and present the series, as well as through attractive retail prices. In an increasingly fragmented market, the series offers readers guidance through a clear, recognizable concept that also appeals to collectors.”In addition to key public-domain works – classics that are no longer protected by copyright due to their age – “Penguin Klassiker” will also feature modern classics, exclusive rights, outstanding translations from Manesse Verlag, and new translations, all of which are intended to give the series a distinctive identity, according to the publisher.
‘Classics are making a comeback’
“Classics are making a comeback, especially because younger readers are discovering them on TikTok and Instagram,” said Jochen Veit of Penguin Verlag. “In curating the series, we are committed both to broad appeal and to continuing the British Penguin tradition, particularly through the great British women writers: Woolf, Shelley, Austen, and the Brontës. The series spans everyone from Homer to Margaret Atwood, from Thomas Mann, Rilke, and Kafka to Sabahattin Ali’s BookTok bestseller and Berlin love story ‘Die Madonna im Pelzmantel’ (Madonna in a Fur Coat), newly translated by Gerhard Meier. It also includes Clarice Lispector’s short stories, Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children,’ and Osamu Dazai’s ‘No Longer Human.’ And that’s only a small selection, because what makes publishing classics so exciting is that the source of great texts is practically inexhaustible.”The new series is launching as Penguin Verlag celebrates its tenth anniversary in Germany. Jochen Veit serves as Program Director for “Penguin Klassiker,” with editorial support from Eva Schubert and editor Nastassja Baum.
