When I told you that Martin Walker's newest short story collection, Bruno's Challenge, was on my radar, I also got a chance to see both the US and UK covers of the book. When that happens, it's usually Cover-Off time, and this is no exception.
Let's take a look...
I guess now is the time to admit that I've never really cared for what the US publisher has done with the covers of Walker's Bruno books, and Bruno's Challenge proves my point.
What's the deal with the banners? Banners may mean fanfare to someone in the marketing department, but look at how much of the graphic they cover up! And the cover is so dark. I almost get the impression that these short stories are going to be more in the horror genre with all sorts of things going bump in the night in St. Denis. For me, the US cover is most definitely "meh."
Before I say anything about the UK cover, I'd just like to point out that it's apparent that UK readers are much more conversant with France and its regions than American readers. On the US cover, these are "stories of the French countryside," and the series as a whole is known as the Bruno Chief of Police series. In the UK, Bruno's Challenge contains "Dordogne Tales" and the series is known as the Dordogne Mysteries.
The UK cover speaks to me. I like the colors, the font that's used, and the graphic, too. One of the comments on my last cover-off stated that the UK cover was too generic, and I do have to agree. There does seem to be a standard crime fiction cover in the UK. I'm fortunate because I happen to really like that generic template. I suppose I'm one of those readers who doesn't look for ground-breaking artwork on the covers of the books I read.
What about you? In the case of Bruno's Challenge, do you prefer the US cover or the one from the UK? Inquiring minds would love to know!
Without a doubt, the British cover wins. It's a beautiful scene.
ReplyDeleteAs for the U.S. cover, what are the publishers thinking? It looks like notes we'd stick on a bulletin board or stick on our nightstands to remind me to do something.
No contest.
And as for readers, I have read about studies that say European readers read a lot more books from Europe and other continents than U.S. readers do. They tend to stick with U.S. authors and settings.
It would make sense. We Americans tend to be much more insular which has caused a lot of problems.
DeleteAgree with you on that point.
DeleteAlso, Europe and other continents have been hit by world wars. The U.S. was not, and the attitudes towards war and other issues differ.
Anyway, that U.S. cover is irking me again. It looks like someone put post-it notes on a book cover.
Which is all right, as long as we're the ones slapping on the Post-Its and not the publisher!
DeleteOOoh, a new Martin Walker! Yay! His Bruno stories are great. My preference is the UK cover, Cathy. It's appealing, it tells me something about the stories, and it's not jarring, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIt does. :-)
DeleteYeah, that US cover is awful. It seems more suited to an Advance Reader Copy or Uncorrected Proof. At first glance, that's what I assumed it was...and early look.
ReplyDeleteI knew it reminded me of something-- an ARC cover!
DeleteThe UK cover. However, I do think I would have the US cover if they had not covered the image.
ReplyDeleteYes. In my opinion they ruined a perfectly good graphic by covering it up with all that stuff.
DeleteAnother UK cover vote here. In addition to details already noted, I'll say that my 1st thought was that the US cover *might* show a French village - if it weren't hidden by those annoying banners. Not that the cover will interfere with my enjoyment of the stories within ...
ReplyDeleteGood thing I'm not a cover junkie. I would be heartbroken over this one.
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