Last weekend I discovered something surprising as I was browsing the book section in my local charity shop. I found the familiar title: 'Shuggie Bain' by Douglas Stewart, but I didn't recognise the cover, which was surprising because the novel had been such a huge hit in the UK when it was published a few years ago, and you could not walk into a bookstore without seeing it's cover art proudly displayed on a crowded table of 'must read books'.
After further investigation, I realised that I was looking at the US edition of the book!
This experience gave me the idea to create 'book cover battle' a game where I will be comparing the book international book covers, to the ones I am so used to seeing in England, I can't believe I haven't thought of this idea before...
All of these are my own opinions, some you may not agree with and that is okay! I don't think any of these covers are bad at all, this is just for fun.
1. 'Shuggie Bain' By Douglas Stewart.
SYNOPSIS: Shuggie Bain is a realist fiction novel by Douglas Stuart that spans from 1981 to 1992 and is set in post-industrial, working-class Glasgow. It follows the life of Hugh "Shuggie" Bain from his early childhood to his late teenage years, and it depicts his relationship with his sexuality and his self-destructive alcoholic mother Agnes. I would definitely advise readers to check the trigger warnings for this book, however, because it deals with some heavy topics such as addiction, sexual violence, as well as homophobia.
COMPARISON: I can definitely appreciate both of these book covers because they both feel authentic to the story. I love how they are in both black and white because it reflects the themes of the book in quite a subtle way. But I must admit that I think the UK edition is the winner! I love how it represents the character Shuggie because he looks is depicted as an 'observer' of the world. From up high on that cross, Shuggie looks hopeful, but also lonely. I also love how the title is yellow because it is so eye-catching and it stands out from the rest of the cover.
US EDITION UK EDITION
Which cover do you prefer?
US EDITION
UK EDITION
2. 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by J. K. Rowling.
SYNOPSIS: Harry Potter is the story of a young boy who finds out that he is that is a wizard. He leaves his cruel relatives and mundane life behind him to attend 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'. It is there, where he learns of Lord Voldemort, the books villainous antagonist. He is a dark wizard who killed his Harry's parents and intends to steal the Philosopher's Stone- which can grant immortality. Harry enlists his new friends Ron and Hermione and his professor/head teacher Dumbledore, to do all that they can to put Voldemort's' wicked plan to an end.
COMPARISON: I feel like this is going to be very controversial of me, but I actually prefer the Bosnian book cover. The British one is so iconic and charming and of course I think it is great, but something about the Bosnian edition just seems so fun and playful. I love the art style and how the illustrations look almost like doodles, my main criticisms of this cover would be the font because in my opinion it just looks too messy and almost rushed. I also don't really like the way it is laid out, the British cover did the font better- for sure.
BOSNIAN EDITION BRITISH, ENGLISH EDITION
Which cover do you prefer?
BOSNIAN EDITION
BRITISH, ENGLISH EDITION
3. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins
SYNOPSIS: The Hunger Games is a well-known dystopian novel follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl who lives in the poverty stricken district twelve. a post-apocalyptic nation in North America. Every year, the Capitol, the ruling city of Panem, forces each of the twelve districts to send two tributes, a boy and a girl, to participate in a televised fight to the death called the Hunger Games. Katniss volunteers to take the place of her younger sister, Prim, who is chosen as the female tribute from District 12.
COMPARISON: Okay, I'm going to be brutally honest right now and say one thing.
Russia. Missed. The mark.
The Hunger games is a book about corruption, oppression, materialism, freedom and the list goes on, but the Russian cover art makes it look like it is just a cheesy romance. I honestly really hate this book cover, from the swirly graphology to the wardrobe choices of the cover models.
On the other hand, I absolutely adore the UK edition. I love how the readers focus is pulled to the central symbol of the Mockingjay, which is complimented by the plain black background, and represents hope and rebellion. In my opinion, this is an example of a book cover done right. Russia, take notes.
RUSSIAN EDITION UK EDITION
WHICH COVER DO YOU PREFER?
RUSSIAN EDITION
UK EDITION
4. 'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer
SYNOPSIS: Twilight is a young adult novel that follows seventeen year old Bella Swan as she moves from Arizona, to live with her dad in a small town called Forks, located in Washington. At high school, Bella meets and falls in love with the mysterious outsider Edward Cullen, but Edward has a secret- he is a vampire.
COMPARISON: whether you love it or hate it, you probably have an opinion on the iconic UK edition of twilight (which I believe is that same as the US cover!) This cover art has imprinted itself onto both my brain, and 2000s pop culture. The hands, the apple, the font. It all screams nostalgia, but if I am too be unbiased and choose my favourite cover based on image alone, then Germany wins this round. The German edition is just exquisite, the painting of Bella looks so delicate and fragile and it evokes a sort of vintage, antique aesthetic similar to that of a dark academia vibe. I truly am envious of anybody who has this book cover, I imagine that I would feel very classy whilst reading 'Twilight'.
GERMAN EDITION UK EDITION
WHICH COVER DO YOU PREFER?
GERMAN EDITION
UK EDITION
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