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 being nurtured by Lynn’s Book Blog and this week we are featuring covers with pictures of furry creatures. I’ve selected Shardik – Book 2 of the Beklan Empire by Richard Adams.
This edition was produced by Overlook Duckworth in November 2004, and is one of the default cover designs for this book, which originally came out in May 1974. I really like it – the fact that the bear’s head is made up of the buildings of the main city is spot on, as the story is about what the bear represents to this civilisation. I also appreciate the punchy title and author fonts, which are easily read even in thumbnail. I think this is a successful, eye-catching cover.
Published in January 1976 by Penguin books, this is the cover on the book that I owned. It’s one of my most memorable reads – along with the very disturbing The Girl in a Swing – there is something about Adams’ writing that got right under my skin, so it brings back happy memories. I love the image of this bear, huge and savage – just look at the length of those claws. But reluctantly, I don’t like it as much as the previous cover.
This edition, published by Oneworld Books in November 2014, is a reworking of the first cover – and while I like that one, this is my favourite. I think it’s because there is so much here that relates to the story. The profile of the bear in red is apt – Shardik’s appearance triggers a series of violent events. The wooden boards that act as backdrop represents his imprisonment, while I particularly love the fir trees as his teeth in his upper jaw, meeting the cityscape in his lower jaw. Which is a really clever pictorial depiction of the tension between the wilderness and what he represents to the Belden civilisation. I just wish more covers were designed with such respect for the story.
This Danish edition, produced by Gyldendals Bogklubber in 1977, also features Shardik up on his hind legs trying to outrun the fire that has destroyed the forest where he used to live. Look at the clouds of ash as he moves and the wisping, ashy remains of grass right in the foreground… Again, this is a scene right from the book and works really well as a cover. I like the fact that we are looking up at the bear, emphasising his huge size.
This Italian edition, published by Biblioteca Universale Rizzoli in 1976 is probably the most attractive of all the covers. The artwork is detailed and beautifully executed, though I don’t get the sense of Shardik’s power and size from this image, unlike the other covers. And it also features an unnecessarily large textbox, which I hate. That said, I still like it even if it isn’t my favourite. Which one do you prefer?
I like the first cover: images created out of other images are more than fascinating for me 🙂
Yes – it’s an interesting image and very well designed:)
I’d have to agree with you, I’m partial to the first and third covers. I read this long ago and don’t remember much about it, but this post has triggered a few memories 😁
Thank you, Tammy:)). It’s one of those which really lodged in my head – there is something about his writing…
I think the first one is my favorite! I’m not sure what the book is about exactly but it appears the encroachment of civilization has caused the bear to lose his home and in a devastating way (fire). The first book depicts the bear’s anger as well as the yellow in the background gives the hint of the fire and the bear’s face and body being made up of the buildings show the civilization. Very clever and well done!
It is a very clever cover – and all of them show aspects of the story.
You’re right in that poor old Shardik is displaced when his forest is burnt down – and then he is rounded up and taken to the capital and worshipped as a god…
The first is my favorite; the second reminds me of a prairie dog.LOL
Ah… we’re not used to prairie dogs in this neck of the woods – but I always thought there was something a bit odd about the stance of the bear in this image:)).
The Italian one is my favourite!
It’s a really beautiful cover…
I like the Oneworld Books version and appreciate your explanation about how closely it relates to the story.
Thank you, Zezee:). It’s always a major plus with me when book covers directly relate back to the story.
I’m torn between the first and the third cover. Going to go with the first one!
They are both powerful, effective covers – I think it comes down to personal taste this week, Laura:))
Obvious I love the bear theme! The first one rocks!
Thank you, Mogsy:)). Yes… after visiting your choice this week – I thought you would enjoy this one, too.
I love the one with the bear’s head in red and teeth made of trees and buildings!
It is both clever and compelling, isn’t it? Overall, I think Adams has been very fortunate with his covers:))
Yes, it is!
Definitely the first book!
It is a strong and effective image:).
Yes!
I love the bear – I like your chosen favourite but I also like the final cover – the colours appeal to me very much.
Lynn 😀
I think it worked well for the theme – I’m finding myself thinking a lot more about books I read a long time ago, for some reason…
I scrolled down and looked at them all without reading your comments then picked the one I liked best and it was the same one you chose.
Great minds think alike:))