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 this week we are featuring on cover that is UPSIDE DOWN, so I’ve selected The Opposite House by Helen Oyeyemi.
This edition was produced by Nan A. Talese in June 2007 and is my favourite and the reason why I selected this book. It is striking and clever, as well as being beautiful with plenty of intriguing detail. Though if I were to be picky, I would add that in thumbnail the title and author font are all but invisible.
Published in May 2008 by Bloomsbury, this cover has grown on me. Initially I was rather underwhelmed, but that young woman’s gaze is mesmerizing. I like the bold title font which works well in thumbnail and the warm colour is enticing and adds to the charm of this accomplished effort. My chief grizzle is that there is far too much chatter scattered across this cover which compromises the artwork.
This edition, published by Bloomsbury in July 2007, is quite different from the previous offering. While I like the idea of the title looking like lighting, it doesn’t work well in thumbnail and that strong teal background somehow swallows the white. I think the pink flowers look striking, but for the life of me – I have no idea what is going on at the bottom of the cover. Is it an arm? An arched back? Please give me your suggestions – the fact I cannot make it out is indicative that whatever effect Bloomsbury were going for, it hasn’t worked all that well.
Produced by Bloomsbury Berlin in September 2007, this monochrome offering offers yet another contrast to all the previous designs. Rarely have I come across a book with such a wide disparity in design approach… The blurred nightie floating out of the window gives this a strong horror vibe, though I don’t get that impression from any of the other covers. I think the title font is far too thin and tentative – it gets swamped by the backdrop and is impossible to read in thumbnail. I am conscious that I have given you quite a disparate selection – so which is your favourite?
Brainfluff 
These are all so different! The first is my favorite, although I agree about the font size. The last one would be my second choice, it’s certainly interesting!
I have to agree with you – that final cover has plenty of rather fascinating action going on…
I love the artwork on the Bloomsbury one. It is the only cover I would take off the shelf, print and all.
That’s fine, Rae. I am always really interested to see what choices visitors to this post make:)
I’m liking your choices. Especially that first one. It kind of gave me vertigo. LOL
Thank you, Laura – and I do know what you mean about the vertigo:))
The last one definitely says Gothic to me. It’s not a bad thing but I don’t know if it actually fits the book – especially given the rest of the covers. The 1st is definitely my favorite too.
Yes – I did find myself wondering if the translation had provided a different slant to the story which is why the cover seems as if it is a different genre…
As soon as I saw the first one, I knew it was my favorite. Wasn’t surprised to read on and see that it was your favorite too! It really is quite dramatic, isn’t it?
It is not only dramatic, it is also beautiful, I think:)
Definitely the first one! Hmmm. Maybe the Bloomsbury 2007 cover has dead leaves from the flowers at the bottom???
You might be right – that’s as good a suggestion as any other:)
They’re vastly different. The first is my favorite.
Thank you, Jennie – you’re right in there being a big difference in all these covers…
🙂
What a fantastic choice – and that first cover blows me away. I just want to keep looking at it.
Lynn 😀
Thank you, Lynn. I found this one quite a challenge, though I was really glad when I discovered this book. And that first cover is really special, isn’t it?
The first cover seems apt for the week’s topic and I find it fascinating to look at , ergo I’m voting for that .
Thank you, Rash.
I like the first cover too, although it gives me a strange sensation… Probably the same one astronauts feel when they’re training for zero-gee…. 😀 😀
Yes – and that feeling increases the longer you look at it, which is a bit odd. I think it’s a testament to the skill of the artwork.
That’s wild how different they all are from each other. I never would have guessed they were all for the same book. The first is definitely my favorite as well. I love the colors and all of the details. I would like to flip the author’s name and the book title though.
Yes – I agree with you that the book title ought to be bigger. I’m guessing the author’s name is a selling point, though.
I like the first two.
Yes – I think this week has provided visitors with a very wide range of options:).
I think this is the first book where I am utterly confused about its genre. Girl on cover = YA. blurred creepy photo = horror. pretty font and flowers = chick lit. upside down street = suspense thriller (a la Inception). WHAT IS THIS?!?!?!?!?!
Ahem.
🙂
That said, I’ve no clue what that green thingey is, either. I thought it was an arched back, too, but then I thought it was a broken leaf. So, many, questions!!!
Oh, I know. And for once – I haven’t read this one, so I’m afraid I can’t help…:(.
The first one is definitely the most eyecatching and original, so it gets my vote!
Thank you for your opinion – I always value what you have to say regarding covers given your experience and skillset.