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 and is currently hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog. This week the theme is a cover featuring words, so I’ve gone with Room by Emma Donoghue.
This cover, produced by Little, Brown in September 2010, is very simple. Just the single word crayoned across the cover in different colours. But it is sufficiently different to make you stop and look twice – and when you know the protagonist is five years old, then it makes sense. I think it’s clever and eye-catching.
This edition was produced by Picador Classic in June 2015 as a Kindle edition, so I appreciate that this one needs to sing out as a thumbnail, but my problem with it is that the pale blue with the reflected sunlight gives a light, airy feel. And when you read Jack’s account – even the five year old is describing a cramped, cold and damp place without much light. However, that doesn’t prevent it being eye-catching and attractive.
Published in August 2010 by Picador, this cover is just boring. Especially as it ruins the simplicity by covering the blue backdrop with lots of blurb, clearly showing that not even the publishers felt the cover stood on its own merits. This is the one I really dislike.
Produced in 2012 by Picador 40, this black and white cover is very effective. I far prefer the image of the mines and stone walls surrounding the little shed to the pale blue of the other covers. I think the black and white is striking and would certainly grab my attention on the bookshelves. This one is my favourite.
This Picador offering, published in July 2010, has the small shed that features in the failed attempted above, but also has a blurred image of a small boy sitting on the floor. This addition makes all the difference, I think. There is something very poignant about it and turns the idea from something implied to the reality of imprisoning a child. Which is your favourite?
I love the second one. Hits all my book-cover kinks. I’ve not read the book, but understand why it might not fit the mood of it. But i really do love that one.
Yes – I think if I hadn’t read the book, that would have been my favourite, too:)
My favourite is the last one which is also the cover of the copy I have and I think it’s perfect!
Yes – it’s another really strong contender, isn’t it? The inclusion of the poor little boy makes all the difference.
I don’t really like any of them. I would not pick a single one of them off the shelf to buy from looking at the covers.
Oh really? Is it because they are all so very plain?
They just don’t entice or “move” me.
That’s really interesting:).
From what you described about the book, I have to agree with the black and white one. That one is the only one that gives me the vibe of someone trapped or imprisoned. The first one just looks cutesy and reminds me of the Rooms to Go logo because of the word and the colors. The second one makes me think of the Windows OS logo lol. The black of the third one has an interesting claustrophobic feel to it though, so I like that one for that reason.
Yes! I completely agree. While the book isn’t anything like as grim as you might imagine from the blurb, neither is it particularly cosy – and my gripe with some of these covers is that they make it look that way.
100% with you on your choice! Eventhough it’s the one with the least color, it immediately caught me eye compared to the recast. Think it because of the ripples surrounding the house?
Also, while I’m on break for the next several weeks, I’ll be back participating in this meme too 🙂 https://mylifemybooksmyescape.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/the-friday-face-off-know-your-a-b-cs/
I enjoyed reading your choice, DJ – it was enjoyable to read something different! Yes… I’m glad you thought my choice worked well – it just stood out from the other offerings.
Wow, this is a great choice. I think I like the first cover best, but probably because I’m most familiar with it. I like the one you’ve chosen too!
Yes – that first cover is the most well known one. Glad you like the choice of book, Mogsy:)
Definitely the last one!
It is very poignant, isn’t it?
Yes!
I like the Picador one the best but that second one kind of catches my eye too.
Yes – it is very striking:). Have a great weekend, Laura.
I loved this book so much and I think the last cover is my favorite. It definitely brought back all of the emotions I went through while reading the book as soon as I saw it.
It is certainly a really emotional read – I recall the ending where I was left with the feeling that poor little Jack wanted to return to the safety of the one room where he and Ma were just together again… A heartbreak.
I think I like the last cover best. The first is good and eye catching but it could really be any genre. That last one definitely has a creepy poignant vibe.
Yes… the figure of that little boy makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
I agree that first cover is definitely eye catching, maybe just because it only has the text and that’s it. That second one does have an airy feel and does look catching, but that’s too bad it doesn’t fit the book as well. The black and white one is very well done too. I think I also prefer that one over the pale blue ones. That last cover almost has a thriller feel somehow, it’s a bit creepy. The addition of the child on the cover does change up the whole feel of the cover.
Thank you for your opinion, Lola:). That black and white cover really does stand out, doesn’t it?
I have to agree with that black’n’white. The window cover looks like such a strange choice, considering the setting of the story. The black’n’white’s got that touch of something not quite right, though you’re not sure what until you read. Excellent choices! 🙂
Thank you, Jean – I’m glad you agree with the choices:). Have a great week.
I really like the simplicity of the first cover and think it fits really well with the book.
Great choice and I love your cover choice too – never seen that one before.
Lynn 😀
No, I hadn’t seen that one, either! The copy I have is the one with the blue and the windows…
Definitely the first one — but I do recall when I first saw it, my first thought was that it was a self help book before I registered what else was on the cover. It’s stuck with me since then.
Yes… the one thing about that cover is that it is striking, isn’t it?
I think I like the first one the most, maybe because it stands out from all the other blue ones (and the black and white one just doesn’t catch me enough).