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Thursday, August 06, 2009

Nineteen Eighty-Four Penguin UK Anniversary Edition

Design by Gray318

Australian reader Mick sent this in. Orwell's books have gotten a good amount of coverage on The BDR; I think this could well be my favorite.

UPDATE: Check out the back, inside front and inside back covers. Wow. Hat tip to Alan Trotter.

14 comments:

Christian A. Dumais said...

I love the new editions that came out last year:

http://www.mobilewhack.com/wp-content/pics/2009/07/1984animalfarm.jpg

I bought them as soon as I saw them on the shelf without any hesitation. Lovely designs.

Joseph said...

Christian: I'm fond of those as well. And as someone pointed out when I posted those, it's pretty amazing that Shepard Fairey put his own logo on them.

RnB said...

nice design but really no way to know that that's 1984 by George Orwell. I'm guessing that's a memorable quote from the novel.

Joseph said...

It's definitely taking a chance, as all such covers do. That's why there's not too many of them...although I do love it when I see them.

Tropolist said...

I'm so often disappointed to see the covers on Australian shelves after seeing their US/European counterparts on the Review. I have never actually purchased 1984 despite all the times I've read it; I will definitely keep an eye out for this gem.

UFC 101 Live Stream said...

i would like to read that new edition of the book.

Christian A. Dumais said...

I'm surprised books that are established as classics don't take more chances like this.

By the way, Joseph, I've been really enjoying the Book Design Review. Thanks for doing this.

As a writer, I'm extremely fascinated by the packaging of books and the cover designs. Thanks again.

Adriana said...

Gray318 is pure gold.
I like that the cover takes a chance. It might not appeal to those who haven't read the book and aren't 'in' on the reference; but, like Tropolist noted, it seems like it's really meant for those loyal repeat-readers who want a unique version of a popular book.
Way to go, Australia.

Anonymous Apple said...

I love it - very powerful and strong.

stage3design said...

Having not ready 1984, I would never have guessed that's what this is based on the cover. However, I'm immediately drawn to it because of the provocative statement and design. At the least, I'd pick it up just to see what it was. At the most, I'd buy it because
1/ I realize I should finally read this classic and this is the cover I want it to have.
2/ The cover is so appealing as to make the book a must read—regardless of it being a classic.
Either way, well done.

pieratt said...

Alan Trotter just let me know that this is, in fact, for Penguin UK. Not an Aussie publisher.

Joseph said...

Ben: Thanks, man.

JRSM said...

Just saw this yesterday--grogeous! It also has similarly groovy artwork on the inside covers, front and back.

Alan said...

Hey,

JRSM's right: the back and the inside covers are equally glorious. You can see the full design here:

http://greaterthanorequalto.net/blog/2009/08/1984/

And no problem on the (indirect) publisher correction. Happy to help :)