Over the weekend I was looking for a book that fit my mood, and I was considering a re-read of
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I listened to it at the end of 2017 and gave it four stars, but I've been thinking that it really is a book that deserves a slower and more thoughtful listen. I'm not sure I really plumbed the depths of Eleanor and her story the first time.
While I was searching, I came across three versions of the book and was struck by how much the covers differ, and what each cover conveys to me.
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| Hardcover, May 2017, Viking |
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| Paperback, May 2017, Viking |
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| Paperback, May 2017, Harper Collins |
There are also some interesting foreign language editions.
In the end, it was these two editions that convinced me a re-read was in order. I read the book only three months ago, but embarrassingly enough, I can't remember a thing about jaguars or flamingos. Clearly they figure into the story somehow because they're featured prominently on several covers.
Covers are important to me as I think they can reveal quite a bit about what is inside and set the tone before you even open the book. I started reading the Harry Potter series with the UK edition of
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, cover art by Thomas Taylor. While I like the US covers illustrated by Mary
GrandPré, they always feel a bit like second best to me. When I re-read The Shell Seekers, it is always the beautiful 1989 floral hardcover version.
So right or wrong, I do judge a book by its cover. (And I changed the artwork on the Eleanor Oliphant file in itunes to the Harper Collins paperback cover above. I think it's genius!)
Interesting post, I like how you showed the various choices for covers - they really do convey different feelings and expectations.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely choose books based on their covers! I noticed that you and Kat had shelved different versions of Eleanor - and I'm fascinated to learn the backstory - thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm always intrigued by the various cover-versions of books! Fascinating. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've committed to reading slower this year -- fewer books, more savoring. So far, I like the slowing down! (And Eleanor Oliphant is definitely worth a slow, savoring, second read.) XO
I love book covers - they are the first thing that draws me to a book! And, this post has caused me to go back and look at the different versions of Eleanor! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I definitely judge books by their covers (and wine by labels - lol). I loved seeing all the various covers. This is on my list to read (and on my nightstand)...but a new one (The Immortalists) just came through on overdrive...reading that first.
ReplyDeleteI try not to let covers to influence me, though some do such as romance covers with long-haired men and swooning females - I am turned off in a second. (. . . disclosure, I rarely read them.) On Goodreads I do note the exact book edition and it is amazing what is out there.
ReplyDelete“Eleanor Oliphant” does deserve another look-at, but when does it get fit in with all the other ones I want to read a second time? Ha, I think I am fooling myself to believe I will read all those when I am older. 🙄
I agree, I'm not enticed by bodice-ripper covers either! I've got loads of books in my TBR pile, but I think I was in too much of a rush to get to them that I didn't read Eleanor carefully enough. I'm just going to make time for a re-read and other books will have to wait! :-)
DeleteI worked as a therapist for a good part of my career and I found Eleanor Oliphant to be such a deeply moving story, she reminded me so much of some of my clients. Thank you for sharing these covers, I like how they convey different aspects of the story.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely influenced by the book cover! That variety is amazing...
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! And I've had Eleanor on my list but she's now risen to the top!
ReplyDeleteSo often I find the UK covers are more interesting than their American counterparts. I haven't read Eleanor but I am attracted to the more tropical covers. Eleanor is high on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI do judge books somewhat by their covers, but not as much as I did in the past. I read a lot on my Kindle, so the covers are often not seen. I certainly do remember the original Shell Seekers cover. I love that cover! I don't really care if they have anything to do with the book. I will have to look up Eleanor. I just finished The Great Alone, and I recommend it. I think all books about living in Alaska are fascinating. Not something I would want to do, but nevertheless fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMy edition of Eleanor had the first cover. Funny . . . I don't remember jaguars and flamingos either. I loved the book.
ReplyDeletemany of my impulse buys in a bookstore or a book sale is the cover art :) I want to read that book but so far I haven't picked it up yet on goodreads (on a sale) or at the store. I could borrow it, but then I would be on a time restraint...ugh!
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