I have that same edition of Lovecraft and I love it. LOA is my favorite publisher and I have a big collection of it. I like that thin paper because it makes massive books very portable which is the aim of the publisher. I have a three volume set of noir author Ross MacDonald. I got them a year ago and I'm still reading them. 2618 pages of noir joy. Shorter works do have thicker paper. Thick or thin, the paper always feels nice. LOA shops around for their paper. I have an older set of Herman Melville that has paper that feels almost like parchment.
I own around 5 LOA editions and they all have thin paper. You can get them with either a dust jacket or a slipcase. One admirable thing about the series is they often specialize in the collected work of noteworthy authors and help keep their editions in print.
Well, I bought all of my copies on eBay. It didn't matter if I was a LOA member. ;-) Some people prefer LOA because they often insert several novels from an author into a single volume. That helps save space on the bookshelf and it's a quality binding. My interest has been in their specialty editions. The composer Virgil Thompson used to write weekly articles in an American newspaper back in the 40s/50s, I believe. LOA collected all of those gems and compiled them into their series. Some of the out-of-print volumes of literary critic Edmund Wilson were also compiled. For editions like that, I'm willing to tolerate the thin paper. I'm just extra careful when thumbing through the pages.
Hello there! I thought I would share this Library of America edition and do a little comparison with Everyman’s Library. (Spoiler: I prefer Everyman’s Library, haha). Thank you for watching and have good day!
The Library of America editions are great for amassing the majority of an author's works in a few volumes. Though the pages are thin, it's surprising how easy it is to read the content. Probably the best hardcover option for reading Henry James' travel journals, unpopular short stories, and some of his immense correspondence with other famous authors. LOA is also the best option for reading Ambrose Bierce's satirical works. As you noticed early on, a major negative after the thin pages is the edition's lack of end notes/footnotes or introduction. How can anyone read Henry's brother, William James, without explanatory notes - and still understand all the essays?
And by the way! I will try out more different publishers in the future. If you have any recommendations with publishers who loves creating beautiful books that are solid in quality (acid-free paper and a sewn binding), then please leave a comment with that publishers name, thanks! :)
Pontus Presents hey my name is jaber I like to ask about document or some other websites about The subject of racial discrimination against American Africans in the United States of America from 1914 to 91945 includes the subjects of the laws of apartheid within the Wilson administration, the Republican era and the administration of Franklin Roosevelt as well as ethnic relations in the military during World War I and II and the status of African Americans during the global economic crisis 1929 and extrajudicial executions They are in official documents such as government statements, US Congressional laws, official statistics, or any document on the subject. l write my PhD and any information will be help thank alot
I love Library of America editions. They have a great selection of authors as well as being easy and comfortable to read. They've also branched out into genre anthologies such as science fiction and American crime fiction. I don't mind the paper at all. It its thin and light, but durable and again, easy to read with clear text. I prefer L of A to Everyman's.
In the US the prices are identical to Everyman’s library so a tougher decision here. I’d say LoA are better overall as you can get them in slipcases. They have slightly better binding, interesting decorative pages after the covers and overall thinner due to the thin paper used. Lastly, the spacing in their prints is much more consistent. Of course I have more Everyman’s library due to limits in LoA of different authors.
I've seen only images of this collection before, so it was really nice of you to show this book in details. I kind of like it. The paper seems thin, but at least in the video I couldn't see the other side, so I'm ok with that. Everyman's look better, but if they change for perfect bindings (and I've seen different paper on a edition of The Dukes Children I wanted to buy), I will try other publishers and this one could be an option...
Dear Pontus. Thanks for your video. I own the Gollancz 2008 Hardcover Edition (NECRONOMICON), and I am very happy with the paper and text/font quality. It is a bit heavy though and the pages are thick. It contains 36 tales. The price is also reasonable.
Your comparison to the quality of Everyman's Library (which I Love) was exactly what I was looking for; thanks. I see that if I purchase any of these editions, I will be throwing away the dust jackets- as I do with Everyman's library. I am trying to compress my library down a bit: Do you think this will serve as a single volume collection? Are all (or most) of the stories you want here? I think Library of America's Shirley Jackson edition look really tempting too: all you would need in one high-quality edition.
This LOA edition is not a complete one of Lovecraft's work. I think it contains most essential tales, but if you are a completist you need to look elsewhere. The Barnes and Noble and Knickerbockers Eds. are complete. The Gollancz edition also contains more tales than the LOA edition.
Very nice and thorough review, thanks! Is it just me or is the binding itself quite rigid when you were flipping the pages? The back of the binding does not seem to bend at all (especially compared to FS editions), I wonder how that will stand the test of time.
I would be intrigued to see what you would pick from Easton Press. Some of their limited editions seem really amazing. It would be cool if you did a video on one of their books.
Yeah, I agree. This is a book with annoyingly thin paper. It's good for taking up less space on the bookshelf and for an easy reading experience when holding the book, but having to be extra careful with every turn of the page in fear of ripping or damaging it (still would be hard to do though)... it's not the ideal reading experience, especially not with the added bleed-through on the pages. But thanks for watching! :)
These books are made to give you a large collection of texts for reference. I have Washington's writing in this and it good for that purpose. For reading and enjoy fiction, not so much.
Great comparison. That may be the glossiest dustjacket I have ever seen. That near shear paper would probably be a deal breaker for me, although it does look very readable.
Pontus, thank you for posting this review! By coincidence, I was viewing the LOA website this morning, and considering subscribing. So this review was very timely. I think they look like handsome and well-produced volumes, but the thinness of the paper is unfortunate. I think, however, that many of their books have high page counts, so that probably drives the paper choice. If I do decide to purchase LOA editions, it will probably be through the subscription, in order to get the slipcased versions.
The worst part of this book is actualy the story selection. Its hcily biased to Livecrafts long fiction. Important short tales such as Dagon, Nyarlathotep, The Nameless City, The Festival, and The Strange High House in the Mist are not included where's mediocre long works like Herbert West and Thing on The Doorstep are.
De dechets et du sang... ...brulant... ...tus.... Of offal and of the blood... ...burning... ...still.... it is free with kindle unlimited it is a collection of English/French poems and short stories hope you like something if you read Here is one of the poems it is a poetic interpretation of head of a dead young man painting by theodore gericault Head of a dead young man Beneath a canvas coarse and crass, the head of a young man upon a cushion soft and of care; feminine chin; upon the lower lip the blood of God; fine nose; hair of an infant here...and...down there; upon his front, the sublime illumination, that descends, intimately as though of ivory flame.... ...when, of lavender and of rose, ascending vaguely towards the exegetic darkness, the offal; disclosed thus, profound and grave, an immense lesion, as though of a dolourous ulcer...from where all comes...where all returns....
☞ Get this book from Blackwell’s here (affiliate): tinyurl.com/8acrarec
Time-Table:
Dust-jacket: 00:18 - 01:34
Binding: 01:35 - 02:17
Contents: 02:58 - 03:15
Paper & text: 03:22 - 04:19
Spine & sewn binding: 05:06 - 05:55
Outro: 05:56 - 07:10
I have that same edition of Lovecraft and I love it. LOA is my favorite publisher and I have a big collection of it. I like that thin paper because it makes massive books very portable which is the aim of the publisher. I have a three volume set of noir author Ross MacDonald. I got them a year ago and I'm still reading them. 2618 pages of noir joy. Shorter works do have thicker paper. Thick or thin, the paper always feels nice. LOA shops around for their paper. I have an older set of Herman Melville that has paper that feels almost like parchment.
I own around 5 LOA editions and they all have thin paper. You can get them with either a dust jacket or a slipcase. One admirable thing about the series is they often specialize in the collected work of noteworthy authors and help keep their editions in print.
Oh, okay! You have to subscribe to LOA to get the books in slipcases, right? :)
Well, I bought all of my copies on eBay. It didn't matter if I was a LOA member. ;-) Some people prefer LOA because they often insert several novels from an author into a single volume. That helps save space on the bookshelf and it's a quality binding. My interest has been in their specialty editions. The composer Virgil Thompson used to write weekly articles in an American newspaper back in the 40s/50s, I believe. LOA collected all of those gems and compiled them into their series. Some of the out-of-print volumes of literary critic Edmund Wilson were also compiled. For editions like that, I'm willing to tolerate the thin paper. I'm just extra careful when thumbing through the pages.
Thank you for this video. I will get the B&N edition now.
Hello there!
I thought I would share this Library of America edition and do a little comparison with Everyman’s Library. (Spoiler: I prefer Everyman’s Library, haha).
Thank you for watching and have good day!
The Library of America editions are great for amassing the majority of an author's works in a few volumes. Though the pages are thin, it's surprising how easy it is to read the content. Probably the best hardcover option for reading Henry James' travel journals, unpopular short stories, and some of his immense correspondence with other famous authors. LOA is also the best option for reading Ambrose Bierce's satirical works. As you noticed early on, a major negative after the thin pages is the edition's lack of end notes/footnotes or introduction. How can anyone read Henry's brother, William James, without explanatory notes - and still understand all the essays?
And by the way! I will try out more different publishers in the future. If you have any recommendations with publishers who loves creating beautiful books that are solid in quality (acid-free paper and a sewn binding), then please leave a comment with that publishers name, thanks! :)
Pontus Presents hey my name is jaber I like to ask about document or some other websites about The subject of racial discrimination against American Africans in the United States of America from 1914 to 91945 includes the subjects of the laws of apartheid within the Wilson administration, the Republican era and the administration of Franklin Roosevelt as well as ethnic relations in the military during World War I and II and the status of African Americans during the global economic crisis 1929 and extrajudicial executions They are in official documents such as government statements, US Congressional laws, official statistics, or any document on the subject. l write my PhD and any information will be help thank alot
I love Library of America editions. They have a great selection of authors as well as being easy and comfortable to read. They've also branched out into genre anthologies such as science fiction and American crime fiction. I don't mind the paper at all. It its thin and light, but durable and again, easy to read with clear text. I prefer L of A to Everyman's.
In the US the prices are identical to Everyman’s library so a tougher decision here. I’d say LoA are better overall as you can get them in slipcases. They have slightly better binding, interesting decorative pages after the covers and overall thinner due to the thin paper used. Lastly, the spacing in their prints is much more consistent. Of course I have more Everyman’s library due to limits in LoA of different authors.
I've seen only images of this collection before, so it was really nice of you to show this book in details. I kind of like it. The paper seems thin, but at least in the video I couldn't see the other side, so I'm ok with that. Everyman's look better, but if they change for perfect bindings (and I've seen different paper on a edition of The Dukes Children I wanted to buy), I will try other publishers and this one could be an option...
That is one thorough overview! Good job!
Thanks!
Dear Pontus. Thanks for your video. I own the Gollancz 2008 Hardcover Edition (NECRONOMICON), and I am very happy with the paper and text/font quality. It is a bit heavy though and the pages are thick. It contains 36 tales. The price is also reasonable.
Thank you for watching! I’m happy with my Barnes & Noble Leatherbound edition of Lovecraft’s work! :-)
Your comparison to the quality of Everyman's Library (which I Love) was exactly what I was looking for; thanks. I see that if I purchase any of these editions, I will be throwing away the dust jackets- as I do with Everyman's library. I am trying to compress my library down a bit: Do you think this will serve as a single volume collection? Are all (or most) of the stories you want here?
I think Library of America's Shirley Jackson edition look really tempting too: all you would need in one high-quality edition.
This LOA edition is not a complete one of Lovecraft's work. I think it contains most essential tales, but if you are a completist you need to look elsewhere. The Barnes and Noble and Knickerbockers Eds. are complete. The Gollancz edition also contains more tales than the LOA edition.
Is there an Everyman's Library Lovecraft anthology? Nothing comes out at their website!
There’s not, sorry!
Very nice and thorough review, thanks! Is it just me or is the binding itself quite rigid when you were flipping the pages? The back of the binding does not seem to bend at all (especially compared to FS editions), I wonder how that will stand the test of time.
Hi Pontus, have you tried Easton Press?
Hello! I have not but might do in the future. :)
I would be intrigued to see what you would pick from Easton Press. Some of their limited editions seem really amazing. It would be cool if you did a video on one of their books.
I have something similar to Easton Press coming up in the near future though. :)
I prefer a book to have thick paper. I don't mind a big book personally. Very thin paper just annoys me greatly. :)
Yeah, I agree. This is a book with annoyingly thin paper. It's good for taking up less space on the bookshelf and for an easy reading experience when holding the book, but having to be extra careful with every turn of the page in fear of ripping or damaging it (still would be hard to do though)... it's not the ideal reading experience, especially not with the added bleed-through on the pages.
But thanks for watching! :)
I like the bigger fonts though however much I fear accidentally tearing the paper easily.
These books are made to give you a large collection of texts for reference. I have Washington's writing in this and it good for that purpose. For reading and enjoy fiction, not so much.
The paper is quite elastic. If you read it at home normally I do not see a problem.
They sure have high prices for a non-profit organization!
Great comparison. That may be the glossiest dustjacket I have ever seen. That near shear paper would probably be a deal breaker for me, although it does look very readable.
Thanks! :) Yeah, the dustjacket is super reflective, haha! The paper is certainly readable but slightly annoying.
Pontus, thank you for posting this review! By coincidence, I was viewing the LOA website this morning, and considering subscribing. So this review was very timely. I think they look like handsome and well-produced volumes, but the thinness of the paper is unfortunate. I think, however, that many of their books have high page counts, so that probably drives the paper choice. If I do decide to purchase LOA editions, it will probably be through the subscription, in order to get the slipcased versions.
Please tell me what you think about the books if you decide to get them! I know they have a good deal for new subscribers. :)
Yeah, the intro offers look nice. I'll let you know if I do.
The worst part of this book is actualy the story selection. Its hcily biased to Livecrafts long fiction. Important short tales such as Dagon, Nyarlathotep, The Nameless City, The Festival, and The Strange High House in the Mist are not included where's mediocre long works like Herbert West and Thing on The Doorstep are.
De dechets et du sang... ...brulant... ...tus.... Of offal and of the blood... ...burning... ...still.... it is free with kindle unlimited it is a collection of English/French poems and short stories hope you like something if you read
Here is one of the poems it is a poetic interpretation of head of a dead young man painting by theodore gericault
Head of a dead young man
Beneath a canvas coarse and crass, the head of a young man upon a cushion soft and of care; feminine chin; upon the lower lip the blood of God; fine nose; hair of an infant here...and...down there; upon his front, the sublime illumination, that descends, intimately as though of ivory flame.... ...when, of lavender and of rose, ascending vaguely towards the exegetic darkness, the offal; disclosed thus, profound and grave, an immense lesion, as though of a dolourous ulcer...from where all comes...where all returns....
I stopped buying LOA editions because they consistently use the lousy, thin paper. Some also feature tiny type.