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 looking at covers featuring LANDSCAPES WE’D LIKE TO VISIT. My father was a Scot and I’ve always wanted to visit the Scottish Highlands, so I’ve selected Dragonfly in Amber – Book 2 of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
This Portuguese edition was produced by Nemira in May 2016, and shows the wonderful Scottish landscape stretching out behind Jamie Fraser – who is also somewhat easy on the eye… I love the quality of the light suffusing the backdrop, with the sun low in the sky seeming to explode across the mountaintops, also throwing the character into a partial silhouette. It’s nicely done and this one is my favourite.
Published in March 1994 by Arrow Books, this offering also features the distant mountains and the edge of a loch – this time with Brianna as the main character. But then they plonk a grey textbox right across the middle of the vista and wreck the mood and feel of the cover. What a shame – this could have been a contender, otherwise.
Also produced in March 1994 by Arrow Books, this offering is far more successful. I love the sweeping vista of the Scottish landscape, with the small figures giving a sense of the epic scale of their surroundings. This one is so very nearly my favourite – my niggle is that the colour is too hectic for my taste and I find it offputting.
This is another classy effort by a Portuguese publisher, produced by Saída de Emergência in November 2014. It is a variation on the first cover – and the deciding factor for me, is that I prefer the position and body language of Jamie on the first cover. I think this one looks a bit posed – but I’m aware that’s a personal niggle and I still think it’s a fine offering. It certainly makes me want to be there, roaming around the Scottish hills…
This Spanish edition, published by Salamandra in 1995, features a castle stronghold – though the fortifications on top of the mountain are largely hidden behind the author font. It is certainly a dramatic rendering of the Scottish landscape, reminding me of the 19th century paintings of Scotland that became so fashionable – and aptly captures the historical tone of the book. However, I don’t like the positioning or styling of the title and author fonts. Which is your favourite, and have you ever visited the Scottish Highlands?
Brainfluff 
I like the second Arrow Books edition. The color doesn’t bother me, it feels more like a gorgeous sunset, and the size of the author’s name just screams 90s paperbacks, doesn’t it?😁
Lol… it certainly is a cover of its time, isn’t it??
I love this series and that book 🙂
I’ve only read the first book, which I really enjoyed – so I think I should try and tuck into the rest of it:)).
I’m away to start book 8 and I’ve loved them all – and the TV series. It’s such a rich story and world with fantastic characters – I hope you continue to enjoy them.
Thank you, Jules! I’ll need to remember to pick up the next one in the series:)).
I like both the first and the fourth cover – probably because they are similar and much closer to the true sweeping vistas of the Scottish Highlands, which I was lucky enough to visit briefly in 1982 (ages ago!!!) and hope to be able to visit again one of these days…. 🙂
Yes – it’s on my bucket list, for sure. Though right now that’s all on hold…
Except for our dreams of a better future… 🙂
What a fantastic choice this week. I love your choice and the Portuguese cover too but having visited the Highlands they don’t come close to portraying the breathtaking beauty of the place. I hope you get a chance to visit – it’s well worth while.
Lynn 😀
Thank you, Lynn:)). It’s one of those things I’ve always promised myself that I’d do – literally visit the Land of my Fathers – but once I’m better, it’s going to go flying up my To Do list, that’s for sure! Thank you for your endorsement.
I like the Portuguese 2016 cover the best, by far. These are fun, Sarah. Thanks for sharing them!
You’re very welcome, Diana:). On Monday, I’m posting my review of The Ferryman and the Sea Witch – which I absolutely loved!
Wow. Thank you! I didn’t know you’d picked it up, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it. You started my weekend with a grin, Sarah. Have a wonderful day. 😀
So glad to have cheered you up – and huge congratulations! It’s a stormingly good read and I absolutely loved it:)).
Thanks again, Sarah. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. 🙂
My review is now up – and I’ve also posted it on Goodreads and Amazon UK:)).
Again, your favorite is mine too. Coincidentally, I finished the latest season of Outlander on Netflix this morning. What a great series to binge on!
Thank you, Rae:). I have halted my Netflix binge, opting to go for reading the books, instead (though I haven’t got around to do that either!). But I’m looking forward to getting back into them sometime in the future:)).
I also like your pick the best, Sarah! Sadly, I’ve never visited the Scottish Highlands and probably never will…
Thank you, Becky:). That’s the deal we’re dealt with according to where we live, isn’t it? There are lots of places in the US that I’d love to see for real – rather than on generations of series and films – but will never get there, either!
Yes, that’s true, of course! There are even places in the U.S. I would still like to see, too.
Ooh, the Scottish highlands! I’ve actually visited, when I was in my late teens or early 20s – i.e. a long time ago! Beautiful. And I’m glad some of these covers capture that beauty. I would actually go with the last one as my favorite, though like you I thought the text is awfully placed, and the colors also looked too washed out. Otherwise, I think it’s lovely!
Yes, I know they’re lovely – my father used to go into raptures about them, though didn’t want to live in Scotland because of the weather! So one of these days, when I’m better, I want to visit:)).
The first one is my favorite too! It’s just gorgeous. The variation of it is okay but I love the posture of the first one so much more.
Yes, I loved the sense that he is lost in the landscape – rather than staring out at us…
This is a tough choice!
There are times when it’s hard to pick out a favourite, isn’t it?
Yes! This was one of those times. I was tempted with the one that had the pink background. Great images, but I didn’t really love the pink. Best to you, Sarah.
Thank you, Jennie – I felt that the pink was far too overdone, too…
🙂