The Sonnets and a Lover's Complaint: Penguin Classics | William Shakespeare & John Kerrigan

The Sonnets and a Lover's Complaint: Penguin Clothbound Classics

Extended Synopsis

First published in 1609, this collection of William Shakespeare's poems features some of the most haunting and beautiful lyrical verses ever written. Comprising 154 sonnets—the vast majority addressed to a mysterious, beautiful young man or a treacherous "dark lady"—the collection delves deeply into eternal themes of profound love, bitter infidelity, fading memory, mortality, and the ultimate, inescapable destruction wreaked by time.

In addition to the legendary sonnets, this volume includes A Lover's Complaint, a narrative poem originally published alongside the sonnet sequence. In it, readers overhear the lamentations of a young woman who has been betrayed by a heartless and manipulative seducer. This specific edition is part of Penguin's highly coveted Clothbound Classics series. Designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, it features a highly tactile, colorful cloth binding with beautiful foil stamping, making it as much a work of art as the poetry contained within.

Intended Audience

This exquisite hardcover edition is an ideal acquisition for literary scholars, passionate poetry enthusiasts, collectors of fine books, and anyone looking to experience Shakespeare's lyrical genius in a premium, beautifully crafted physical format.

Author Biography

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Over the course of his illustrious career, he authored some of the most famous plays in human history. His mastery extended beyond the stage to poetry, where his sonnets remain a cornerstone of Western literature, revered for their emotional depth, structural perfection, and timeless resonance.

Accolades & Recognition

• Part of the globally renowned Penguin Clothbound Classics series.
• Features an award-winning cover design by acclaimed illustrator Coralie Bickford-Smith.
• Edited by John Kerrigan, providing authoritative oversight of Shakespeare's foundational poetic texts.

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