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SPILL THE TEA on Penguin Classics with Elda Rotor

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Apr 1, 2025

Guest

Elda Rotor

Elda Rotor, the VP and Publisher of Penguin Classics, chats about what makes a book a 'classic.' She shares insights on how Penguin adapts its catalog to reflect contemporary culture, including the launch of the Marvel Collection. Elda emphasizes the importance of context when grappling with classics, discussing ways to make daunting reads approachable. She reveals her personal classics still on her reading list and playfully categorizes iconic characters in a game of 'Screw/Marry/Kill.' Expect fresh takes on beloved literature!

49:29

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INSIGHT

Classics Are Living Conversations

A Penguin Classic is defined by the ongoing relationship readers have with a work across generations.
Penguin publishes editions that invite contemporary reappraisal rather than enforce a fixed canon.

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ADVICE

Take Small Bites Of Big Classics

Engage with a classic by taking small, memorable bites instead of forcing full completion.
Put a book down and return later if it doesn't connect right away; one meaningful passage can carry the experience.

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ADVICE

Contextualize Problematic Works

Provide scholarly introductions and contextual materials when republishing problematic or dated works.
Use forwards, suggestions for further exploration, and expert commentary to guide readers’ critical engagement.

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Role of VP and Publisher at Penguin Classics

02:54 • 3min

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Why classics can feel intimidating

05:53 • 2min

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What makes a Penguin Classic a classic

07:35 • 2min

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How Penguin defines 'the past' for classics

09:15 • 2min

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Classics as an action and evolving canon

10:59 • 2min

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Examples of perennial classics and classroom use

12:53 • 4min

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Making big intimidating books approachable

16:51 • 2min

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Contextualizing problematic classics

19:14 • 2min

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Skipping introductions and discovering themes later

21:17 • 1min

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Classics Elda still hopes to read

22:43 • 3min

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Penguin Classics and contemporary culture: Marvel

25:43 • 4min

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Adaptations and how they shape our view of classics

29:30 • 4min

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Designing Penguin covers for modern readers

33:43 • 2min

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New Penguin series and special editions

35:52 • 3min

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Diversity and archival discovery in classics

38:25 • 3min

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How to find unexpected classics in stores

41:09 • 2min

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Screw/Marry/Kill: canonical characters playfully revisited

43:10 • 4min

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Classics for readers' emotional needs

The Amazing Spider-Man #977

• Mentioned in 85 episodes

Dracula

Bram Stoker

The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from Transylvania to England to spread terror and create more vampires. The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, who travels to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a property to Count Dracula. Upon discovering Dracula's true nature, Harker barely escapes with his life. Dracula then travels to England, where he targets Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy. A group of characters, including Professor Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Quincey Morris, band together to hunt down and destroy Dracula. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, modernity vs. tradition, and the fears and anxieties of the Victorian era, including immigration, sexual desire, and the role of women in society.

#1136

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

On the Road

Jack Kerouac

Written in a style of spontaneous prose, 'On the Road' is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the travels of Sal Paradise and his friend Dean Moriarty across America. The book captures the spirit of the post-war Beat Generation, embracing a lifestyle of freedom, jazz, and rebellion against societal norms. It has become a defining work of American counterculture.

#706

• Mentioned in 35 episodes

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights. The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life. Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature. The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.

#681

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

The Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum

Daisy Alberto

This Stepping Stone edition of 'The Wizard of Oz' is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic story, tailored for first chapter book readers. The book includes art from the original 'Wizard of Oz' and follows the journey of Dorothy as she is carried by a cyclone from a Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz, where she meets the Tin Woodman, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion.

#859

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

Les misérables

Victor Hugo

Les Misérables is a profound novel that delves into the lives of several characters, particularly Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks redemption after being treated with kindness by a bishop. The novel critiques the social injustices of 19th-century France, including poverty, extreme social inequality, and a harsh prison system. It weaves historical events, such as the June Rebellion of 1832, into the narrative and emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.

#77

• Mentioned in 156 episodes

The Odyssey

Homer

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

#734

• Mentioned in 34 episodes

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott

Written by Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women' is a semi-autobiographical novel that details the lives of the March sisters in 1860s Massachusetts. The story is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood and that of her three sisters. It explores themes of domesticity, work, and true love, and is known for its portrayal of the sisters' distinct personalities and their struggles with societal expectations. The novel follows their experiences with poverty, illness, and personal growth, and it has been praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of family life and the challenges faced by women during that era.

#57

• Mentioned in 180 episodes

Moby Dick

Herman Melville

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.

#345

• Mentioned in 58 episodes

Middlemarch

George Eliot

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

#482

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

In 'Lord of the Flies', William Golding tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. The novel follows their attempts to govern themselves and the gradual descent into chaos and savagery. The story is an allegory that explores themes of human nature, morality, leadership, and the fragility of civilization. Key characters include Ralph, who represents order and democracy; Jack, who symbolizes power and violence; and Piggy, the voice of reason. The novel highlights the tension between the desire for civilization and the primal savagery that lies beneath the surface of human society.

#682

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

East of Eden

Paul Osborn

In 'East of Eden', John Steinbeck tells the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, set against the backdrop of California's Salinas Valley. The novel is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Cal and Aron Trask, and their struggles with their father, Adam. The book delves into themes of love, rejection, and the choice between good and evil, symbolized by the Hebrew word 'timshel', meaning 'thou mayest'. The narrative is rich with characters like Samuel Hamilton, a kind and wise patriarch, and Kate, the embodiment of evil, whose past and actions significantly impact the lives of the Trasks.

#7648

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Proust

Marcel Proust

#137

• Mentioned in 110 episodes

The Hobbit

or There and Back Again

J.R.R Tolkien

Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.

#165

• Mentioned in 98 episodes

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, childhood innocence, and moral courage in the American South. The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime. Lee's powerful storytelling captures the complexities of race relations in the Jim Crow South, highlighting the prejudice and injustice faced by Black people. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right. It remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.

For the inaugural episode of the new series Spill the Tea, host Jason Blitman is joined by Elda Rotor, VP and Publisher of Penguin Classics. They delve into what defines a 'classic,' explore Penguin's expansive and diverse catalog, talk about contemporary works, and discuss the importance of context in classic literature. Make sure to stick around for Elda's classic character answers in a game of "Screw/Marry/Kill!"

Elda Rotor oversees the U.S. classics publishing program including the works of John Steinbeck, Arthur Miller, Shirley Jackson, William Golding, Amy Tan, Alice Walker, and the Pelican Shakespeare series. Elda originated several series including the Penguin Classics Marvel Collection, Penguin Vitae, Penguin Liberty, Penguin Drop Caps, Penguin Orange Collection, Penguin Horror with Guillermo del Toro, and the forthcoming Penguin Speculative Fiction Special.

Classics You Don't Know But Should:

The Last Supper of Queer Apostles by Pedro Lemebel
Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn
The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar
Minor Notes, Vol. 1 edited by Joshua Bennett and Jesse McCarthy
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis