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Subject: Slimming down classics?
Mr.
Handsome
2007-5-12
6：34 AM Orion Books, which decides there is a market in creating cut-down classics （经典着作）, is slimming down some novels by such great writers as L. Tolstoy, M. Mitchell and CBronte. Now, each of them has been whittled down to about 400 pages by cutting 30 to 40 pages per cent of original, with words, sentences, paragraphs and, in a few cases, chapters removDThe first six shortened editions, all priced at ￡6.99 and advertised as great reads “in half the time”, will go on sale next month, with plans for 50 to 1 00 more to follow. The publishing house believes that modern readers will welcome the shorter versions.
Mr.
Edwards
2007-5-12
9：40 AM Well, I’m publisher of Orion Group. Thanks for your attention, Mr. Handsome.
I must say, the idea developed from a game of “shame” in my office. Each of us was required to confess （承认） to the most embarrassing blanks in his or her reading. I admitted that I had never read Anna Karenina and tried but failed to get through Gone with the Wind several times. One of my colleagues acknowledged skipping （跳读） Jane Eyre. We realized that life is too short to read all the books you want to and we never were going to read these ones.
As a leading publishing house, we are trying to make classics convenient for readers but it’s not as if we’re withdrawing the original versions. They are still there if you want to read them.
Ms. Weir
2007-5-12
11:35 AM I’m director of the online bookclub www.lovereading.co.uk
Mr. Edwards, I think your shortened editions is a breath of fresh air. I’m guilty of never having read Anna Karenina, because it’s just so long. I’d much rather read two 300-page books than one 600-page book. I am looking forward to more shortened classics!
Mr.
Crockatt
2007-5-12
4:38 PM I’m from the London independent bookshop Corckatt & Powell.
In my opinion, the practice is completely ridiculous. How can you edit the classics? I’m afraid reading some of these book is hard work, and that is why you have to develop as a reader. If people don’t have time to read Anna Karenina, then fine. But don’t read a shortened version and kid yourself it’s the real thing. 【題組】63．Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that _________.
(A)reading the classic works is a confusing attempt
(B)shortening the classics does harm to the original
(C)publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job
(D)editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs
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