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 meme is currently being nurtured by Lynn’s Book Blog and the subject this week featuring on any of our covers is a HUMOUR so I’ve selected Eligible – Book 4 of the Austen Project by Curtis Sittenfeld.
This edition was produced by Random House in April 2016. The bright red cover with the curling font and line drawing of an outsized diamond ring gives a big clue that this is a romcom. I like this one – it’s bold, eye-catching and cheerful and certainly helped me decide to get hold of the book.
Published in May 2016 by The Borough Press, this one isn’t so successful as far as I’m concerned. While the girl is clearly beautiful – I don’t know why she decided to kiss the palm of her own hand and then start waving around. If there is a joke connected to this, then it’s slipped past me – and that isn’t a good feeling, either. I also dislike the amount of chatter on the cover, including that nasty intrusive blob.
This Swedish edition, published by Wahlström & Widstrand in January 2017, is a successful effort I really like. The eggshell background works well with the gold edging and the stars and the two rings let us know it is a romcom. I also appreciate the decorative font and the clean, restrained use of colour.
Produced by Mona Kitap in 2017, this Turkish edition also makes it quite clear that this novel is a comedy. The classic pink cover shouts romcom – however I do feel that while the updated Bennet family depicted around the cover is a nice idea, the figures are too small to produce strong eye appeal and end up looking rather random. Though I like the cat… At least I have a strong idea of the genre.
This German edition, published by HarperCollins in June 2017 is my favourite. The colour scheme with the eggshell blue background and lovely sprigs of those blowsy, heavily scented heritage roses give a lovely nod to the Austin roots of this book, as does that silhouette. Of all the covers, this one is the classiest and – I think – most accurately reflects the blending of old and new in the Austen Project series. Which is your favourite?
Brainfluff 
There are some lovely covers, it’s hard for me to choose. I love the Random House, I have that edition in my collection, but the Swedish and German editions are so pretty!
They are pretty, aren’t they? Not my usual style at all!
Aww, I love the German cover too! I own the US cover edition, and it’s just ok compared to that one. US marketing never seems to give us the flowery covers, even for rom coms. I would love to see some here!
Yes… it would have worked really well, wouldn’t it?
I think I like the Swedish edition best! I like the one you picked but I think its almost too classic for the modern take.
There is that… However I fell for those lovely roses:)
The edition I have is the one with the woman who’s kissed her palm – I like the cover but now I think about it it doesn’t make a huge amount of sense. I think the first cover is my favourite one. It’s so interesting how different covers of the same novel can be though.
It is amazing just how varied covers can be for the same book… I find it fascinating!
I really like the German edition. It’s just so pretty. I don’t get the cover with the girl at all. It’s eye-catching but it definitely doesn’t make me feel like I need to read the book!
I’m glad I’m not the only one that found that cover frankly puzzling! But that German cover is a delight, isn’t it? Thank you for dropping by and have a lovely weekend, Katherine:)
I really LOVE these posts. It’s fascinating to see the different covers
I love this meme, too:). Thank you for your kind words, Anne – I always find it intriguing which covers appeal, too.
Most of these appeal to me. I like the Random House cover the most.
Yes – other than the second cover, I like them all, too. The Random House cover is lovely and bright – and I think flags the genre very well. Have you read this one, Laura?
The Borough Press edition drew my eye because of the girl and her hand, but you’re right in that without context, it’s awkward as hell!
Yes… I still keep thinking there’s a joke there that I’m simply too thick to get…
I still haven’t read this so not sure how the Borough Press cover fits in. I love your choice though.
Lynn 😀
I love seeing how different these cover editions are. I think the first and third ones are my favorite. The second one doesn’t quite work for me either, I agree with your thoughts on that one. And the fourth one looks a bit too classic to me? But it sure is a classy cover.
They are all such nice covers! I actually have the one with the girl. I also don’t get that cover and why it looks like that xD plus she looks kind of like a servant? With those clothes? And that’s nothing to do with the story xD but I have to say it is a very catching cover and it just draws your attention. I think it must have been good for sales 🙂
Perhaps – but like you, I thought she was a servant and given this is about an upper middle-class family, that simply doesn’t work. And you’re right – it must have been good for sales!
I think the girl with the kiss on her hand is pressing them up against a glass window. I think I like the red one best.
Ah… and I suppose that makes sense! Yes – the red one is lovely and bold, isn’t it?
I’m torn between the first and last covers. They both have style, though I’m leaning more towards the former, with the simple and bold red vs. the floral pattern. Both are great!
They are – I think this is case where personal preference plays a greater part, rather than because one is essentially better crafted than the other.
truth! I dig that “modern” cover for a “modern” retelling, but I can see the Austen aesthetic in that last cover, too, and why that’d be so appealing.
Yes – I think that’s what tipped it for me, that this was the cover that actually referred back to Austen…
I like the last two. The cat is a cherry on top. Cannot dislike a cat 🙂
Yes! I tend not to fully appreciate the awesome appeal of cats – don’t tell anyone, though…
LOL
I think of them all, the Turkish edition captures “comedy” the best. The first isn’t bad, but I have layout problems and the same issues as back with Three Crowns – not enough contrast and too thin of a font which makes the red too overwhelming in comparison to the actual elements of the cover.
Yes, I take your point regarding the strong red slightly overwhelming the font. I’m struck that often fonts are very poorly executed…