This meme was started by Books by Proxy, whose fabulous idea was to compare UK and US book covers and decide which is we prefer. This week the theme is gold, so I’ve chosen Making Money – Book 36 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.
This is the cover produced by Harper in September 2007. I look at it and recall the early wonderful, busy Discworld covers of Josh Kirby with a sigh of nostalgia. Oh well. Having said that, there is a sense of energy in the shower of money being scooped up by the top hat. I also like the hatching in the background, which gives a sense of depth to a fairly simple image.
This edition, produced in June 2008 by Corgi, is the cover of the book that I owned. I find the black background a bit grim, but I do like the image of the main protagonist, Moist von Lipwig. He is the epitome of a money-making capitalist. It is a testament to Pratchett’s success that his name is featured with the same size and impact normally reserved for the title.
Published in February 2014 by Transworld, this is another gloomy offering with a single spotlight on the pile of gold. Given that this is Discworld novel with a fair degree of humour, I find the gloom prevailing surprising.
This cover, produced by Pocket in February 2016, is my favourite. I very much like the background of the large, slightly distorted bank as he scampers down the front steps with money fluttering in his wake. There is a real sense of gleeful mischief depicted on this French cover missing from the others. But which one do you prefer?
Brainfluff 
I think my favorite is the second one. The background is a bit dark, but the character in the middle with the spotlight shining on him really gives life to the cover, imo. And eeeee, the pug, of course!
Yes – there is the pug…:)
I’m torn between two and three…
Two and four are my favourites I think – I love the fun element to the second but the fourth gives me a real Pratchett vibe.
Lynn 😀
That’s what I think! A shame it isn’t a UK publisher, though…
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For me it would be two or three! I know the third is a little gloomy but I do actually quite like it! Can’t resist the pug though! 😀
I know – isn’t he cute?
Ugh, these covers. I agree with you–where are those fun ones from yesteryear? That Transworld offering is just sad. The first one’s not terrific, but at least it’s not grim. Do you think the 2nd one had the darkness around the spotlight for the sake of text? I could see that as somewhat justifying the choice, but even then, some dimmed shapes of a crowd or street or whatnot would not have been distracting from the text. Yes, I’d have to say the fourth is the best bet, but I wish we could see what an older style cover would have been…
Yes – isn’t it a shame? I know the later books are darker in tone, but there is still lots of humour as the eccentric cast give their own mapcap rendition of our own world. And I don’t believe any of these covers – with the honourable exception of the Pocket one – give a hint of it.
Corgi and Pocket ones are my favorites. It’s a toss up between the two.
Yes – they do at least provide an image of the main protagonist and provide a strong hint as to what the book is about…
I liked the 2nd one and the 3rd one , and Yes as you pointed out they are gloomy , I don’t really know what that says about me 😓
I’m sure that says nothing about you, Rash! You simply like the brooding look, that’s all:))
I’m torn about this one. I share your sentiment about Josh Kirby’s covers, so none of them really grabbed me, for various reasons. The first two don’t suggest a Pratchett novel: they’d both fit in as covers for non-fiction about business, self-employment, and so on.
The third one is indeed too dark, and too serious. It looks like a cover for a literary fiction novel, not fun speculative fiction.
That leaves me with the fourth one that at least attempts to catch the unique style and humor of the author, so I guess I like it the best.
But now… Can we have Josh Kirby back, please? 😉 And, since it would be a similar request: can we have Pratchett back too?
Oh yes! I fervently second your request to have Pratchett back with Josh Kirby honouring his work with his fabulous covers, again… The world is a darker bleaker place without more Discworld goodness…