To mark its 90th publishing anniversary, Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ) has launched the Mermaid Collection, a carefully curated series of novels by women writers in the latter half of the 20th century. Though still powerful and relevant today, their voices were long overlooked.
This new collection is both a tribute to tradition and a bold attempt to expand the literary canon by highlighting meaningful works that have remained in the shadows for far too long.
Decades-Old Novels, Still Relevant Today
These titles, curated by Elizabeth Smith and Madeleine Woodfield, fall under “vintage commercial fiction”—popular women’s literature from the post-war decades that tackles themes of identity, society, family, and emotion.
Each book includes a foreword by a contemporary writer, offering insight into the author’s life, the work’s context, and its ongoing relevance. Literature here becomes a bridge between past and present sensitivities.
A Collection Polished to Perfection
The Mermaid Collection has been finely crafted. The books come in B format, with flaps and double-sided printed covers, lending them a collector’s edition feel. Designers Lauren Wakefield and Alice Chandler drew inspiration from the aesthetics of the decades in which the original books were written.
These editions captivate in substance and style—meant to shine on bookshelves and social media alike.
Which Titles Are Included in the First Release?
The first edition features four titles:
- “Down Among the Women” by Fay Weldon – with a foreword by Jenny Colgan,
- “Lucy Carmichael” by Margaret Kennedy – with a foreword by Lucy Mangan,
- “Fenny” by Lettice Cooper – with a foreword by Jennie Godfrey,
- “Through a Glass, Darkly” by Helen McCloy – with a foreword by Gillian McAllister.
Each volume is £12.99 and is also available as an audiobook narrated by prominent British actresses.
New Life for Forgotten Stories
The Mermaid Collection is more than a celebratory initiative—it’s a deliberate act of literary revision. At a time when the canon is increasingly questioned, PMJ’s collection proposes expanding it to include women who created influential works that have too often been dismissed.
As Elizabeth Smith notes, there is space in the market for a series that merges literary value with visual appeal, offering readers a fresh look at “old” books. It’s an investment in a literary future where diversity of voice matters as much as the quality of the story itself.
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