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 FEATHERS. I’ve selected The Devil’s Feather by Minette Walters as I think at least two of the covers are extraordinarily good…
This edition was produced by Alfred A. Knopf in August 2006 and is a strong contender. I love the drama of that red feather against the black background – a classic colour combination that always works well. For once, I’m not complaining about the rather ordinary white font, because with the red strands of feathers threaded through them, it gives that special lift so many title and author fonts lack. Overall, this classy offering is eye-catching and clever, with a strong clue as to the genre – what more could you ask from a cover?
Published in October 2006 by Pan Books (UK), this is also a really stylish design. The feather with the girl’s eye looking through is both arresting and original. I also very much like the author font – and given that is the book’s selling point, it makes sense to make that the major feature. However I’m less impressed with the chatter in the middle of the design, cluttering it up and diminishing the visual effect.
This edition, published by Macmillan in September 2005, shows what a huge impact colours can have. While the previous cover with the white background and tawny feather was eye-catching – this one with the black background and that single feather with the eye looking through is sheer class. Much as I love the first cover, this is the one that actually lifted the hair on the back of my neck. And no chatter across the cover to spoil that fabulous effect either!
This Dutch edition, produced by De Boekerij in 2006, is also an interesting cover. The view has the reader trapped behind a screen watching birds wheeling in the sky – the greenish hue and the whole design is really disturbing. While it isn’t my favourite, I do think it is effective at making me stop and look twice at what is going on. If I have a peeve, I think the small title font is underwhelming and an odd choice.
This Croatian edition, published in 2006 by Mozaik knjiga, is the most disappointing of all my choices and has more of a feel of someone let loose with photoshop. While a plain white background can be effective – as in the second choice – this time around it simply looks as if they couldn’t be bothered to add another layer of visual interest. And though I appreciate that the wing chopped off like that is supposed to somehow look wrong – it isn’t the right kind of wrongness, more that the design doesn’t hang together. Which is your favourite?
Brainfluff 
Certainly the first! I love how eye catching it be. Plus I like how the strands of feathers go through the letters on the cover. Arrr!
x The Captain
It is a fabulous design, isn’t it? So simple and yet so very clever…
I think the first one works best. I love the simplicity and the bold red. Although the Dutch edition is grabbing my attention too. Great choice!
Thank you, Tammy. Yes – they are definitely both strong designs.
The first one is very striking but I’m especially drawn to that third cover.
It really is special, isn’t it? So original… I love both of them but I agree that I think the third cover just edges it.
I think the 2005 cover is my favorite. I love the first one but it looks a little more urban fantasy and I”m thinking this is a mystery?
Yes – as far as I can gather it is a murder mystery thriller…
The original and the black cover with white feather . Those are my pick
They are brilliant, aren’t they?
I’m a bit biased but I think UK covers tend to look cooler than their US counterparts… There have been some exceptions but I can’t think of many. 🙂
I’m really fascinated by the differences – and having studied them carefully for the last decade, more US covers tend to feature protagonists in a dramatic moment, while UK covers tend to go for objects or landscapes. The mood and approach tends to be more muted, too. It’s funny – I used to mostly prefer UK covers, but these days I find my preferences are more equally spread between the two. Not sure what that says about me, though…:)
I really like the eye-ball effect. I also like the black and white cover. It has class!
Yes – classy is the word that comes to mind when you see this one, doesn’t it?
I think my favorite is the Macmillan 2005, though I have to give major points to the first one too for being so eye-catching!
Yes…initially the first one was my favourite – until I saw the Macmillan full-sized and then I just fell in love with with.
I like both the ones you do – for the same reasons, but, the Macmillan is probably my favourite on balance.
Lynn 😀
It’s been a real pleasure this week – both covers are outstanding and it isn’t all that often I can say that for the same book. I hope Walters was duly thrilled, given that most traditionally published authors don’t get much input in their covers:)
The third cover – the MacMillan edition – is indeed the most striking: while the Pan edition (cover nr. 2) uses the same kind of image, her the black background gives a much more dramatic relief to the feathered eye… 🙂
Oh yes – it’s quite amazing the difference it makes, isn’t it?
I love reading your descriptions of these covers. They always point out something that I miss. I like your choice, but I think I would go with the first one. It is the red that drew me to that one.
Thank you for your kind words, Carla. Yes – that wonderful red feather does look awesome…
I loved looking at each of these, Sarah! I am also drawn to that Macmillan cover!
Thank you, Jennifer:). It is rather special, isn’t it?
I’m torn between the first one and the third. I love the color contrast on the first one and the up close view of the feather, but I agree with you about the effect of that striking black cover. It immediately makes me want to flip it over and read the back to see what the book is about.
Yes… both covers are marvellous. It was so nearly a tie – if I hadn’t felt that amazing tingle of pleasure when I saw the third cover close up:)
The first one is superb, and I like the opacity choice in the font. Poor pigeon from the last cover deserved better 🙂
Lol… one hopes that the wing was detached virtually:)
Yes, and as they say ‘no pigeon was harmed in the making of this cover’ 🙂
:))
I agree on that first one. Just taking a feather, a simple feather, and turning it into something fascinating, is pretty darn awesome. I also dig the birds outside the screen–there’s a sense of feeling trapped there and yearning for escape. xxxxx
Yes – initially I rather dismissed the one with the birds, but the more I looked at it, the more trapped and disturbing it felt.
Oooh I like that first cover! It is hands down my favorite 😀
It is really very striking and effective:)