The best -- and sometimes the worst -- of book cover design
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Ruby in Her Navel
As this is "set in the twelfth-century against the backdrop of the Crusades," I think the first cover (UK) communicates that better than the second (US). But I don't necessarily like the UK cover better. I think I like them both equally. And you?
The UK version is more true to the era in the novel, but I do prefer the US version: it has a depth and sensuality to it that is lost on the UK version.
I think its always great to reference the century/decade/era of any novel that has a historical basis, but that also has to translate to a modern audience's tastes, presumptions, and sense of drama (or comedy). So the UK one leaves me wanting; the US one intrigues me enough to want to pick it up. (Nice tie-in of the graphic elements at the top - the border and the ornate frame mesh very well.)
As a Brit - the US cover says to me, this is a book set in eighteenth or nineteenth century India. I find the UK cover fairly hackneyed and uninspiring but at least it's visually clear that it is not about the Raj or East India Company or some such.
The UK version is more true to the era in the novel, but I do prefer the US version: it has a depth and sensuality to it that is lost on the UK version.
ReplyDeleteI think its always great to reference the century/decade/era of any novel that has a historical basis, but that also has to translate to a modern audience's tastes, presumptions, and sense of drama (or comedy). So the UK one leaves me wanting; the US one intrigues me enough to want to pick it up. (Nice tie-in of the graphic elements at the top - the border and the ornate frame mesh very well.)
I agree completely with Ingrid.
ReplyDeleteBut, mostly, I'm just thrilled there's a new Barry Unsworth novel out.
I agree. Ingrid, you get the gold star for the day.
ReplyDeleteAs a Brit - the US cover says to me, this is a book set in eighteenth or nineteenth century India. I find the UK cover fairly hackneyed and uninspiring but at least it's visually clear that it is not about the Raj or East India Company or some such.
ReplyDelete