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 SCI FI 60s COVERS. I’ve selected Chocky by John Wyndham. I’m linking this post with Sci Fi Month 2019.
This Turkish edition was produced by Delidolu Yayınları in April 2018 – I love this one. The quirky 60s vibe with the restrained colour palette and the funky font is delightful and really eye-catching. This one is my favourite.
Published in August 2015 by NYRB Classics, this is another cover that goes back to the 60s sci fi psychedelic vibe for its influence. I love the vibrant orange colouring – also a 60s favourite and the patterns. Unfortunately that dreadful textbox is also a 60s feature, slapped across that lovely artwork and complete with a boringly forgettable font that disappears in thumbnail. Otherwise this cover would certainly have been a contender.
This Bulgarian edition, published by Георги Бакалов in 1979, is far more about the 1970s than the 60s. That is definitely a 70s haircut, and while I understand what they are trying to achieve, I think this effect manages to make poor Matthew look more like an alien. Frankly, I hate this one.
This edition, produced by Penguin Classics in March 2010, has really grown on me. I love the outline drawings and trying to make out exactly what is going on. The clean, uncluttered effect is complemented by that iconic 60s font, which really pops. This is clever and original – and runs a very close second to that first cover as my favourite.
This edition, published in 1987 by Penguin is the successful version of what that Bulgarian edition is attempting. The red colouring really pops against that fabulous title font, while that fractured stare of the young boy is both eye-catching and creepy. My trouble with this offering is that the genre it projects isn’t quirky sci fi featuring a young schoolboy and a curious alien who became his pretend friend – it looks more like a horror tale… Which is your favourite?
I like the 2010 Penguin cover; I might pick it up to see what it’s about…
Oh, do give this one a spin… I think it’s terribly overlooked. It’s a story about a young schoolboy, who develops a telepathic relationship with a curious alien – and Matthew’s parents think it’s a pretend friend…
Wow there is a huge difference here between all the covers! I really love the first one and the 2010 was is intriguing as well.
Oh yes – there is a real variation. Although my heart does go out to the cover designers – this one is really difficult to accurately depict, I think… That first one really sings out, doesn’t it?
Just time for a quick comment: The penguin cover is by far the best. I agree with Katherine–big differences this time. The penguin cover is more subtle.
Glad you like the Penguin cover, Rae. And you’re right – this is one of those books with a wide variation in the covers!
I really like the last one, I think the font choices make it feel like sci-fi. But I do like your choice as well😁
Oh yes – you’re absolutely right, Tammy. I’ve no quarrel with the sci fi feel – I just thought the Last cover made it seem a lot darker and creepier than it actually is…
The last one in your list is very intriguing, and it possesses a weird vibe that comes across well . 🙂
Yes – it is a bit quirky… Have you read this one, Maddalena?
No, and now I’m curious. My encounters with Wyndham are limited to Day of the Triffids (one of my favorite SF-horror stories), The Kraken Wakes (which I don’t remember so well) and The Chrysalids (which I remember a little better). I will have to add Chocky to my TBR soon… 🙂
I love the Penguin 1987 edition.
It certainly pops with plenty going on:)
🙂
I’ve never heard of this one before so thanks for highlighting.
Definitely agree with your choice this week.
Lynn 😀
Thank you! And I highly recommend the book. It’s a hidden gem that ought to be far better known, I think.
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Oh wow. If you hadn’t said it was a quirky tale, I would also be one to assume that last offering was something for a Stephen King-ish horror story. Those earlier offerings are so fun with their wacky colors–like that bizarre Yellow Submarine move, yes? 🙂 As a fav, though, I think I dig that chalkboard one the most. There’s something about the erasing, the uncertainty, the trying to work it out over and over that gets to me…
Yes – and that’s more appropriate to the story than you might think. I loved this little gem – it has left a huge impact…