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. It is currently being nurtured by Lynn at Lynn’s Book Blog. This week the theme is a cover featuring footsteps, so I’ve selected Feet of Clay – Book 19 of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.
This edition was produced by Corgi in May 1997. I love it. I love the brightness, the detail and the quirky oddness that encapsulates what Pratchett’s writing is all about. I’m also conscious that in the world where books are often sold in ebook form these days, it isn’t a cover that does well as a thumbnail. The main reason why this isn’t my favourite is that ugly blue box containing the title and author plonked right in the middle of that glorious artwork.
Published in February 2004 by Hartorch, this cover lacks the charm and bustling humour of the previous offering. However, I do like the footprints running up the side and the quirky title font – I just wish that blue wasn’t so drab or the head with glowing eyes didn’t look as if this is horror – Pratchett’s work can be thought provoking but isn’t remotely creepy.
This edition, published by Gollancz in June 2014 is another one that looks as if this book is in the horror genre. The dark figure with glowing red eyes and white swirls looks really threatening. I do like how they have handled the title and Pratchett’s name, however.
Produced by Turtleback Books in February 2004, this edition certainly gives a sense that this is a humorous novel. I love the bubbles, along with the footprints featured in the centre of the cover. The font is also quirky and offbeat, giving a clue about the genre. This is a better effort than the previous, gloomy offering, I feel.
This French cover – which hasn’t any other details on Goodreads – is my favourite. The characters draw on those marvellous Josh Kirby and Paul Kidby covers with some lovely detailed artwork that still looks effective when shrunk down to thumbnail size. The title and author fonts are also well handled. Which is your favourite?
Brainfluff 
I’m going to have to agree with you, the French cover is my favorite as well. I feel like I could get more invested with this one, since it gives you a hint of the characters and story😊
It is a great cover, isn’t it? I still miss him and the fact there won’t be anymore Pratchett gems *sigh*…
I like the Turtleback Books one from 2004 the best. I wouldn’t pick the last one (the one you liked best) because I wouldn’t want to read about the girl pictured. To each her own….
Ah… I happen to know she is a shapeshifter, whose sense of smell gives the Guards more of an edge against the ne’er-do-wells and lawbreakers:)). But that’s because these books have a special place in my heart…
Indeed…I see.
So she is loyal and fierce with a strong attachment to Corporal Carrot… and I’m still not making any sense, am I??
LOL…
Pratchett is always a great choice isn’t he. I like the top cover because for me it just screams Pratchett.
Lynn 😀
Yes, he tends to be my backstop as his series covers a wide range of objects/subjects – and he always has a range of covers. I love the top one, too – after all it is the cover of the book we own… But I prefer the last one.
I like the top cover best! Even with the blue box haha. The font of the title on the 2004 Hartorch cover is awful! It is so hard to read! But I do like the footprints on the side of it 😀
That’s fine – I’ll freely admit that I have a bit of a thing about grotty boxes plopped in the middle of covers…
The last two are my favorites, mainly because I just love that blue and gold color combination.
Yes… it’s a really effective colour scheme, isn’t it?
I love the French cover but also like the one done by Turtleback Books
Yes – I have a really soft spot for the Turtleback Books cover – it’s a really strong contender and looks good as a thumbnail…
I like your favorite! The expressions on the characters’ faces are priceless! They’re definitely on a mission!
They are, aren’t they? I think it’s the best cover produced since the originals.
Ah, Pratchett! One of these days I’m going to start reading his books because I need to fill this empty space in my reading “career” 🙂
As for the cover, I like the first one, because it’s the style I’ve always associated to Pratchett’s books every time I saw them showcased or in a bookstore, and I think this kind of cover reflects perfectly the delightful riot that must come out of his novels.
And you’re absolutely right – the phrase ‘delightful riot’ perfectly sums up the reading experience that is Pratchett… I am aware that he isn’t for everyone, but my life would be sadder and duller if it wasn’t for his books.
That’s the kind of sentiment I keep reading from Pratchett enthusiastic fans, and something tells me I might enjoy his works, since I like a little madness in my reading… 🙂
Oh yes! I think you may well like a bit of Pratchett madness in your life:))
I agree with your favorite here though I do like the first one. Somehow I’ve never read anything by Terry Pratchett but I’d really like to fix that.
That first one captures all the fun, it really does. Yet I cannot help but be drawn to the horror-style, and I know that’s not quite fair, considering it ISN’T a horror book. I guess there’s just something about the whimsy of the font that gets me. What if this design had a different color–gold, say, or some sort of forest brown? A warm, earthen tone that doesn’t denote horror. What do you think?
Yes – I think that would probably be fine… it’s just Pratchett writes with such madcap energy – or did with the earlier books – and I simply don’t think this cover really captures that aspect at all. But then I have all the earlier covers…:)
That’s a fair point. I know that if not for the Pratchett name, I’d expect a more horror-ish book, so I do think you’re right–this story needs that lighter cover. So it’s time to put that awesome horror cover on something horror-ish! 🙂
Oh I think that’s a great idea, Jean! It would work really well on a creepy book, wouldn’t it?
It totally would!
:)))
I like the clay guy on the first cover but I also didn’t like the blue box covering up the artwork. If the book isn’t creepy or horror than the others don’t work at all. Until you get to the last one. This one seems to show a quirky, fun book and if that’s true to the book then this one is my favorite. The girls foot being overly large is probably meant to be since the title is clay feet, but it does look a little weird.
She is a werewolf, but I think you’re probably right in thinking the oversized foot is a nod to the title as Angua is actually attractive. And you’re right – those other covers miss the genre by a country mile:)
Ahh, now it makes sense!
For some reason with the title clay foot or feet, I was thinking of a mud person. LOL
The French cover is definitely the best one, Sarah.
Yes – I really loved this one, too:). I’m glad you liked it, Jean.
It’s not that other covers are bad (because some are interesting or eye-catching), buuuut… I grew up on Josh Kirby’s covers for Discworld, and there can be no other! 😉
Yeah… I’m very fond of the top cover and if it weren’t for my obsessive hatred of text boxes, that would have been my choice too.
I can relate. At least the art is good. 😀
Isn’t it? I’ve been horrified at some of the shockingly bad covers for the Discworld series since the glory of the originals…