Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own reputa

In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own reputation - The Telegraph
by Brendan O'Neill

Excerpt:

But it isn't Morrissey we should be slating here; it's Penguin. In agreeing to publish Moz's apparently revealing life story as a classic, Penguin has unwittingly set fire to its own reputation. It has shown itself willing to cave in spectacularly to cultural relativism, to embrace the modern fashion for eschewing judgment in favour of squawking: "Everything is equally valid."


Also similarly, link posted by mozzeriansaroundtheworld / Tumblr:

Boyd Tonkin: Morrissey gets what he wants, and Penguin Classics sinks in the Ship Canal - The Independent

Excerpt:

This they don't teach you at business school. How do you wreck overnight the reputation of a global brand that, since 1946, has built up its worldwide trust on the basis of consistent excellence, expert selection and a commitment to pick and sell only the very best? Easy, really. You chuck 67 years of editorial rigour and learning out of the corporate window and kowtow to the whims of a petulant pop icon.
 
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Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Who the f*** even reads the telegraph? I worked in a newsagents for a year and I don't recall anybody buying a copy.
 
I couldn't resist. I love the jealousy. Once again he sets the precedence. I'm proud once again. Cheers
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

I Like You said:
Who the f*** even reads the telegraph? I worked in a newsagents for a year and I don't recall anybody buying a copy.
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About half a million people, according to wikipedia.
 
Jesus Christ ! Some people are easy to wind up , aren't they ?

It's as though Moz has been caught tainting wells with cholera bacilli ...
 
The literatti are feeling rickrolled. :D
 
Autobiography will get even more press because of the Classics tag. Brilliant. I bet Morrissey thinks it's half utterly hilarious and of course half completely deserved (this is Morrissey, after all :p)
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Think of it like this. It's like Southpaw Grammar or Kill Uncle being certified platinum before each is released.

Penguin Classics are classics because they stood the test of time. Neither of those albums stood the test of release. And time has been even less kind.
 
Dumb.
They're missing the point -- Morrissey is the only person they'd probably do this for. I can't imagine there will be another. It's a one-off for all time. Journos toiling away for years with scant recognition... Build your own art and myth then, you lazy sods!
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

King Leer said:
Dumb.
They're missing the point -- Morrissey is the only person they'd probably do this for. I can't imagine there will be another. It's a one-off for all time. Journos toiling away for years with scant recognition... Build your own art and myth then, you lazy sods!
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I am loving all this!

And I know Morrissey is too. Genius!
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Sunday Literary Critic Update: I now fully expect the book to be an unexpected let-down. And not just because there won't, after all, be any interesting character in it ;) (ohboowoo!)

Nah. It's just I'm afraid it will all look like... a bad collage (cough). Just because you can glue words together, doesn't mean you're a writer.

There's also the obstacle of format. Do sprinters often enrol for marathons? Do comedians often decide to drop sketch comedy to act in films? Well they probably do. But are they any good in marathons?

I don't blame Penguin for selling its soul to the Diva. I don't see how else they could have dealt with it, especially now, with Justin Bieber being a household name over at Oxford University Press and the end of the world so nigh.

Upset critics should remember though, most people have a brain and are perfectly able to form their own opinion about what "classic" means. And haven't most bookshops got a "Crap Classic" section anyway?

Plus, Morrissey decided his book had to be a classic, but bear in mind he wanted it to be a dead cheap one as well. He knows what he's worth. Even if it's awful, a whole life for 6 quid, you have to admit it's a bargain. :)

Off you go planting a tree now, Morrissey. You're going to have to do that for a while...(No, you're right, nobody ever asked Machiavelli to be a good boy.)

" (...) if we compare the faults of a people with those of princes, as well as their respective good qualities, we shall find the people vastly superior in all that is good and glorious.”
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

"Destroyed the brand"??? Hahahaha, how pathetic. SO Penguin Classics will close by the end of the year, just because a couple of literary commentators have their knickers in a twist? Thought not.
 
The contrast between the two articles is massive, Boyd Tonkin's article is by far the better of the two. It's a double edged sword, the penguin classics title will give this book the attention it deserves but the critics who rightfully revere the past criteria for penguin classics will be absolutely rabid. For me it's sad that the book will be prejudged in this way. The black livery cover is nice to see, but we must not kid ourselves, this was the straw that nearly broke the camels back. Morrissey will be defending this for years to come. 'Art-hounds, write something, Art-hounds, look, nothing! ,And those that do are judged by those who tried ,And find they can’t do'. The way the publishing industry is going there is room for someone like Morrissey to take advantage and shake things up, perhaps that's not a bad thing?
 
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Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

King Leer said:
Dumb.
They're missing the point -- Morrissey is the only person they'd probably do this for. I can't imagine there will be another. It's a one-off for all time. Journos toiling away for years with scant recognition... Build your own art and myth then, you lazy sods!
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Completely agree.
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Have to agree with both articles. You publish a book and it becomes a classic - to insist that Penguin publish it as a classic or not play ball is pure prima donna bullshit. Really quite sad. Clearly Moz is worried that the book is not a classic. Thank God somebody has pointed out that the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes...
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

It is genuinely amusing. The literary world is a watertight clique of about 17 upper class self-important buffoons all called Giles and Jocasta. Anything that annoys them can only be heartily endorsed.
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Journos just have the arse because not a single freebie preview copy has been issued to the press. Nothing to say until it's issued so they have a dig instead. Typical hacked-off hack attack. Stop moaning and go buy a copy when it's released like the rest of us! Penguin have played this perfectly, everyone is talking about Penguin Classics. Sales across all titles will rocket because of all the fuss. Inspired.
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

"Subversion - is my middle name"
 
Re: Article: "In publishing Morrissey's autobiography as a classic, Penguin has destroyed its own re

Anonymous said:
Have to agree with both articles. You publish a book and it becomes a classic - to insist that Penguin publish it as a classic or not play ball is pure prima donna bullshit. Really quite sad. Clearly Moz is worried that the book is not a classic. Thank God somebody has pointed out that the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes...
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cleary??
what a ludicrous statement.
Moz gets what he wants. Penguin make a fortune and someone somewhere gets irked through bitter jealousy.
so Mozza pushed a boundary, hardly the first time.
i'd say he comes out of it fully clothed and resplendant as ever.
 
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