Penguin Random house Reviews

I'm very let down by the Penguin Random House Classics edition of Clarissa by Samuel Richardson, edited by the late Angus Ross. This version tries to modernize the classic but falls short for readers. The publisher removed letters and added explanations instead, which just leaves you frustrated and confused. They shortened what should have been the original 7 to 9 volumes as Richardson wrote them. Even Ross's introduction is unclear and doesn't help. This was a poor execution. Then there's their Classics edition of The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer. They chose to water down and sanitize the book to please readers and the author's estate, which controlled it after her death. This is censorship. The private equity firm and the Mohn family, especially one of its leaders, are pushing for this kind of editorial interference. Going back to Ross, the editing choices here are questionable at best.

I'm working my way through the classics and live in a remote location where I can only visit the main city occasionally. I purchased The Brothers Karamazov from your company, but when I opened it at home, the binding was already failing and pages were coming loose. I emailed about getting a replacement copy since it's such a great book, but never received a response. Months later, I bought The Confessions of Saint Augustine from your publisher, and unfortunately the same problem occurred with that one too. Two books from your company, both with the same binding issue. I didn't ask for my money back, just a replacement of the first one, but heard nothing. Now I'm stuck with two damaged books and no way to read them properly. It would be appropriate to either send me working copies or refund me.

It bothers me that you won't create a Little Golden Book about a certain political figure in your World Leaders Series, yet you already published ones about other current leaders. I'm disappointed and regret purchasing these books for my child and students. I won't be spending money on your products again. I'd rate this zero stars if possible.

My parents gave me the Clementine Rose book from your company and it's amazing. I absolutely love it and it's become my favorite book ever. Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for this wonderful series!

I bought Ivanhoe and opened it yesterday to start reading, but the first couple pages made no sense whatsoever. Then I realized the first page was actually at the end of the book and I was reading backward through the ending. This is unacceptable and I'm returning it for a full refund. If you're shopping for this title, be warned about the quality control issues.

We picked up one of your books called Mommy Mama and Me and wanted to share our thoughts. The content is fine, but the physical quality of the book is disappointing. Within just a few weeks of having it, the spine and pages are already falling apart.

Why would you pay millions of dollars to publish material from people who have a track record of dishonesty and saying contradictory things? There must be other worthy authors and projects pitching their work. You can count me out as a customer forever. I will not buy anything connected to these individuals.

I'm ashamed of Penguin Random House for what you've chosen to do. You're publishing material from someone who lacks honesty and credibility, a social climber focused on money and her husband, and these two told seventeen provable falsehoods during a major interview. Do you endorse having royal people with centuries of history behind them spread lies like this? Yes, they may not care what British citizens think, and they're mainly selling this so-called memoir to America, but the Commonwealth includes many nations. Let America have them since they've had their share of controversial figures. The rest of the world watches them with disdain. This is shameful, Penguin Random House. Not only are you handing over huge sums to liars looking for attention, but you're hoping to profit if this fictional account and related projects sell well to Americans. If questionable figures can become successful in that country, these two will have no trouble following suit.

Congratulations on getting your name splashed across international headlines. That was smart marketing. Now what's your plan? Like other major companies that made similar deals, it seemed smart initially but now you're committed to spending enormous amounts of money on two individuals I consider dishonest and disreputable to produce what exactly? Additional false claims? Further harm to the Monarchy? Will you eventually be proud to tell history that your company played a role in damaging, and I hope not destroying, our Royal Family? I'm finished with you.

Publishing this material shows terrible judgment and partnership with someone dishonorable and unstable. You wouldn't pay this kind of money if the person didn't have a royal connection. You're as wrong as they are to consider spreading lies designed to hurt one of the world's most admired figures. These two claim they want privacy yet constantly get media attention through their PR team. I won't purchase anything from your company and will encourage people I know to do the same. The pursuit of money leads to these kinds of bad decisions.