The Penguin Revolution: A closer look at Penguin's modern approaches to cover designs and how these methods have influenced worldly views of reading and publishing today
Molly Stevenson
Abstract
In 1960, to mark thirty years since D. H. Lawrence’s death, Penguin Books planned to publish a new edition of his controversial novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The publication was deemed illegal and the publishing company was put on trial in one of the most famous obscenity trials of the twentieth century. What followed, however, was a discourse about culture, gender, sex and, most importantly, class. Who should have access to books and how much should they cost? Are publishers truly cultural gatekeepers or should that role ultimately be with the courts? This article examines the zeitgeist of 1960 and the trial that eventually acquitted Penguin Books of causing harm to society.
Molly Stevenson
Abstract
In 1960, to mark thirty years since D. H. Lawrence’s death, Penguin Books planned to publish a new edition of his controversial novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The publication was deemed illegal and the publishing company was put on trial in one of the most famous obscenity trials of the twentieth century. What followed, however, was a discourse about culture, gender, sex and, most importantly, class. Who should have access to books and how much should they cost? Are publishers truly cultural gatekeepers or should that role ultimately be with the courts? This article examines the zeitgeist of 1960 and the trial that eventually acquitted Penguin Books of causing harm to society.
