The best classic books publisher (2026)

Choosing the best classic books publisher comes down to editions: translation quality, introductions, notes and formats differ by publisher. We compared five editions from NYRB Classics, Bantam Classics and Penguin Classics by author, pages, publisher and extras, using only what each listing publishes.

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Compare the editions

Edition details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026. All five list a print length and publication date.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Inferno (Bantam Classics)	9.7/10	Buy
2	Confessions (Penguin)	9.6/10	Buy
3	Stoner (NYRB Classics)	9.6/10	Buy
4	The Post-Office Girl	9.6/10	Buy
5	Notes From Underground	9.5/10	Buy

1

Inferno (Bantam Classics)

Dante Alighieri·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Bantam Classics dual-language Inferno with Mandelbaum translation and commentary.

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Pros

• Dual-language edition stated
• Mandelbaum commentary stated
• 432 pages stated
• Bantam Classics publisher stated

Cons

• 432 pages is the longest
• Dual-language adds bulk
• 1982 edition is older
• Epic poem format suits some

2

Confessions (Penguin)

Saint Augustine·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Penguin Classics Confessions with scholar introductions and notes.

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Pros

• Penguin Classics publisher stated
• Scholar notes stated
• 352 pages stated
• Reprinted 1978 edition stated

Cons

• 352 pages is long
• 1961 edition is older
• Religious themes
• No translation notes stated

3

Stoner (NYRB Classics)

John Williams·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An NYRB Classics Stoner about an English professor's quiet life.

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Pros

• NYRB Classics series stated
• 288 pages stated
• 2006 edition stated
• American classic stated

Cons

• 288 pages is mid-range
• NYRB edition has no notes stated
• No publisher field stated
• Novel format only

4

The Post-Office Girl

Stefan Zweig·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An NYRB Classics Post-Office Girl, first published in English in this edition.

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Pros

• Never before in English stated
• NYRB Classics publisher stated
• 272 pages stated
• 2008 edition stated

Cons

• 272 pages is mid-range
• Noir themes
• No translation notes stated
• Zweig-specific interest

5

Notes From Underground

Fyodor Dostoevsky·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Bantam Classics Notes From Underground reissue, 134 pages.

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Pros

• Bantam Classics publisher stated
• 134 pages stated
• 1983 reissue stated
• Dostoevsky classic stated

Cons

• 134 pages is the briefest
• 1983 edition is older
• Dense philosophical text
• Reissue format

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More picks to compare

• Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics)624 pages, reading age 18+, reprint editionCheck on Amazon
• H.G. Wells Four-Novel Collection440 pages, deluxe hardbound, four novelsCheck on Amazon
• The Awakening and Selected Stories288 pages, Penguin Classics, reading age 18+Check on Amazon
• A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook32 pages, 30 carols, Hendrickson PublishersCheck on Amazon

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs story, edition quality, value, safety and readability. The Inferno’s dual-language format with commentary and the Confessions’ scholar notes score the edition-quality points. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best classic books publisher

Compare the publishers’ editions

Two NYRB Classics editions here (Stoner, The Post-Office Girl) focus on rediscovered works, two Bantam Classics editions (Notes From Underground, Inferno) are compact reissues, and one Penguin Classics edition (Confessions) emphasizes scholar notes. NYRB’s Post-Office Girl notes it was never before published in English. Penguin’s Confessions highlights introductions and notes by distinguished scholars. See every book club books guide for more.

Check translations and extras

The Inferno lists a dual-language edition with introduction and commentary by translator Allen Mandelbaum. The Confessions lists introductions and notes by scholars. The other three list no translation or notes details. For poetry and philosophy, these extras matter more than for novels.

Match the page count to your shelf

Page counts run from 134 to 432: Inferno lists 432 pages, Confessions lists 352, Stoner lists 288, The Post-Office Girl lists 272, and Notes From Underground lists 134 pages. Shorter editions suit first reads; longer ones suit deep study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which edition is dual-language?

The Inferno lists a dual-language edition translated by Allen Mandelbaum with commentary.

Which is the longest?

The Inferno lists 432 pages. Confessions lists 352 pages and Stoner lists 288 pages.

Which was never before published in English?

The Post-Office Girl notes it was never before published in English.

Which publisher emphasizes scholar notes?

The Confessions listing highlights Penguin Classics’ introductions and notes by distinguished scholars.

Still deciding? Our top pickInferno (Bantam Classics)

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Related guides

See every book club books guide and all fiction books guides.