Celebrating 80 Years of Penguin Classics

Join the Center for Fiction for an evening celebrating the 80th anniversary of Penguin Classics and its long-standing mission to ignite a universal love of reading, connect writers with global audiences, and publish high-quality literature. They are pleased to welcome Elda Rotor, Vice President and Publisher of Penguin Classics, as the evening’s moderator. In conversation with Rotor, acclaimed writers Nicole Dennis-Benn, Roxane Gay, and Xochitl Gonzalez will reflect on the evolving role of the classics and the exciting ways in which contemporary voices continue to expand, challenge, and reinterpret the literary canon.

As recent contributors to Penguin Classics editions, Dennis-Benn, Gay, and Gonzalez build upon Penguin Classics’ commitment to new perspectives. In Brown Girl, Brownstones, Dennis-Benn’s foreword highlights the novel’s enduring relevance in conversations about migration and identity. In The Portable Feminist Reader, Gay curates a diverse collection of feminist thought that illuminates the evolution and complexities of the feminist canon. In A Room of One’s Own, Gonzalez’s introduction essay reexamines Virginia Woolf’s call for creative freedom by breaking down gender, race, and class, extending her message to a broader audience. Together with Rotor, whose visionary leadership has helped guide Penguin Classics’ celebrated publishing program and launch several innovative series, the panel will reflect on the lasting legacy of the classics. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

Supporter Tickets include a complimentary Penguin Classics tote bag in appreciation of your contribution to The Center for Fiction.