illustrator Jessica Hische (famous for her work on Wes Anderson’s
films) for Penguin Classics’ new Drop Caps hardback collection (out February). The letter ‘A’ goes to Austen, of course.
GOLDEN GIRLS
It’s never too early to fall in love with a classic, especially when its dramatic moments are brought to life in felt. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy have had the cuddly treatment in Cozy Classics: Pride and Prejudice (Simply Read, out now).
This year Pride and Prejudice turns 200; and Plath's classic turns 50
The price of the first edition of Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813 by Egerton
18s THE YOUNG SYLVIA
It’s 50 years since Sylvia Plath’s notorious suicide at the age of 30, shortly after the publication of her only novel, The Bell Jar. The story of her dramatic, premature death and her turbulent relationship with husband Ted Hughes often overshadows her sharp-witted talent. A new biography, Mad Girl’s Love Song (Simon & Schuster, out now) by Andrew Wilson, focuses on her early, pre-Ted life for a change, and includes previously unpublished photographs.
Everything you ever needed to know about Mr Collins and company is in Susannah Fullerton’s Happily Ever After: Celebrating Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Frances Lincoln, out now).
We love
A fellow poet’s selection of words of ‘love and fury’ in
Sylvia Plath Poems Chosen by Carol Ann Duffy (Faber)