I’m always fascinated by the differences in book covers between countries. The Millions runs an annual feature comparing US and UK cover art, and a similar post appeared on Flavorwire a few days ago. I’ve decided to do a cover post of my own, with some of the books I’ve featured on this blog.
(UK covers are on the left, US covers on the right; title links go to my reviews of the books, for context.)
Diving Belles – Lucy Wood
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The UK cover indicates folklore and the sea; it’s nice enough, but feels perhaps a little too obvious. The US cover, I think, captures the deeper heart of the book – that mixture of domesticity and sinister magic; I especially love the way that the stairs shade into abstract geometry. Winner: US
The Buddha in the Attic – Julie Otsuka
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Two broadly similar treatments here, with the red parasol as focus. I think the closed parasol in the case evokes the novel’s themes better. Winner: UK
Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry – B.S. Johnson
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The covers of the most recent editions. There’s a simple elegance to both, but for me the disintegrating ledger is a little too literal, especially compared with the boldness of the UK cover. Winner: UK
The Longshot – Katie Kitamura
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I like the composition of both these covers, but the image of the fighter and his trainer walking away makes it look as though their job is done. The clenched fists of the US cover evoke the tension and violence which are at the novel’s core. Winner: US
The Still Point – Amy Sackville
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Oh, there’s no contest here: the paper cut-out look of the UK cover is gorgeous; the US cover doesn’t come close for me. Winner: UK
Redemption in Indigo – Karen Lord
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The composition of the US cover is elegant, but I think the UK cover better evokes the tone of the book (tricksy-but-serious) . Winner: UK
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe – Charles Yu
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Hmm. Yu’s novel plays with the conventions of both sf and mainstream ‘literary fiction’, which is captured nicely by the UK cover, with its ordered arrangement of laser guns. But it’s also a playful novel, and that spirit is evoked by the US cover, made to look like an old manual, complete with ‘creased’ cover obscuring the publicity quotes. I can’t choose one over the other. Winner: it’s a draw.
Communion Town – Sam Thompson
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I’m not sure either of these covers really captures the essence of Thompson’s book, but the UK one wins out for me as being more intriguing and distinctive., turning a map into abstract art. (Incidentally, this is the cover of the UK hardback; the paperback cover, like the US one, goes down the less-interesting ‘murky skyscraper’ route.) Winner: UK
If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This – Robin Black
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Well, I don’t think the UK cover is very interesting at all. The US cover is not great, but the paint effect is a nice touch, and the title is used well within the composition. Winner: US
The Sisters Brothers – Patrick deWitt
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Wow. What a difference in treatment. I love nigh on everything about the UK cover (it looks even better on the physical object). The US cover is too specific to suit the novel’s air of ambiguity, and just isn’t as well conceived as the more stylised version. Winner: UK
17th March 2013 at 7:18 pm
I love these comparisons!
The (Canadian) copy of The Sisters Brothers that I read had the red UK cover. But I really like the US cover and would choose it in this contest.
17th March 2013 at 8:49 pm
Great post, David. I always love seeing the foreign editions of Canongate books arrive into the office, so it’s great to get to compare some other titles side by side. I can’t get over how different the Sisters Brothers covers are; I’ve always loved the book (and the British cover), but the American one would have put me right off. The men also don’t look anything like how I’d imagine the characters to be, either…
17th March 2013 at 10:01 pm
Thanks for the comments, folks! I was amazed at how different the US Sisters Brothers cover was when I looked it up. It has to be the UK version for me: the whole atmosphere of the book is of a world in the process of being formed, and I think the UK cover captures that sketchiness in a very imaginative way.
18th March 2013 at 1:38 pm
I really enjoyed this post, thanks for the comparisions David, and for the insight as to how well the covers do or do not convey a sense of the contents too.
18th March 2013 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for this, I enjoyed the comparison.
I love comparing French covers to UK or US ones. Usually, UK and US are cornier than the French ones.
18th March 2013 at 10:24 pm
Glad you enjoyed it! You’ve given me an idea for a follow-up post, Emma – UK covers of books in translation compared with their original editions…