Blackwell reports 1 in 10 Brits admit to cheating at school
Released
on: April 7, 2008, 3:41 am
Press
Release Author: Blackwell
Industry:
Education
Press
Release Summary: Blackwell reveals 8-Million Brits watch film
adaptations of classic books to pass exams
Press
Release Body: New findings from Blackwell have
revealed what teachers have suspected for years. 1 in ten Brits
confess to watching film adaptations of classic novels instead
of reading the original books. Londoners were exposed as the most
underhanded, with 16% pulling the wool over teachers’ eyes
by watching Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet and BBC’s
Pride and Prejudice; and Northerners were revealed as most honest
with 93% preferring to study the traditional way.
The
research, by leading book retailer, Blackwell,
shows that in spite of some people taking the easy route to revision,
the majority still favour a good read. Results mark the launch
of a redesigned range of classic books by Oxford
World Classics, available exclusively at Blackwell stores
until the end of April.
Phill
Jamieson, Head of Marketing at Blackwell, commented:
“While there will always be those who choose alternative
methods of studying, people still love reading classic books and
many revisit them in their adulthood. We are delighted to be partnering
with Oxford World Classics in bringing the great novels back to
life and are inviting people to visit any of our 60 Blackwell
stores to choose from over 700 classic titles on offer. There’s
something for everyone.”
Other
findings from the Blackwell survey show:
Film
or Fiction? – 67% of Brits are unaware that popular films
such as Ten Things I Hate About You, Clueless and Cruel Intentions
originated from classic
books.
Venus
vs. Mars – 16% of women voted Pride and Prejudice as their
favourite classic novel, whereas 9% of men chose Frankenstein,
a story of guts and gore, as their best loved tale.
Life
Imitates Art – despite 27% of adults admitting they do not
read classic books, ‘modern’ British society is becoming
a real-life take on fiction:
- 54% believe we are descending into Dickensian Britain with binge
drinking on the rise
- 30% see the WAG culture of trying to find a rich husband, similar
to Jane Austen books
- 47% think young adults suffer from Peter Pan syndrome, living
at home, refusing to grow up
- 61% agree people today are overly concerned with looks and possessions
like in the classic book, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Jamieson
concluded: “Classic books are timeless. You will find
contemporary themes such as love, sex, murder, mystery and high
octane drama in all the great novels, which is why they still
to this day appeal to the masses through films and have parallels
in our daily lives.”
About
Blackwell
Blackwell is the leading academic bookseller
in the UK with over 60 outlets across England, Scotland and Wales.
It has built an international reputation for bookselling excellence
with links to academic institutions and libraries around the globe
and has continued to expand its UK base on high streets and in
university campuses up and down the country.
In
1995, www.blackwell.co.uk
became the first transactional online
bookstore in the UK, giving people across the world access
to over 150, 000 titles. In 1998, Blackwell opened
its central London flagship store in Charing Cross Road, the book-lovers’
Mecca. Since this time, two flagship stores, Broad Street and
Charing Cross Road, have both won Chain Bookseller of the Year
at the Nibbies, the annual British Book Awards.
Blackwell
has now been trading for over 125 years from its world-famous
flagship store at Broad Street in Oxford. Its staff continues
to be renowned for their expertise, depth of knowledge and love
of books since the first Blackwell shop opened its doors.
Web
Site: http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/welcome.jsp
Contact
Details: For more information please contact:
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IncrediBull Ideas
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0207 940 3800