This is my weekly post where I choose to appreciate a book for its cover art or overall design – to me, a well designed book is like a piece of art. We all judge book covers to some extent. Personally, it’s usually a title/cover combination that pulls me in when I’m browsing in a bookstore. I can’t say that I’ve ever decided against a book with terrible cover art if I liked the sound of the plot, but I have purchased special editions of books, or multiple editions of books based on their cover art. If book covers didn’t matter, publishers (looking at you, Penguin!) wouldn’t put out so many beautiful editions!
Since I’ve declared February to be Austen Month, I decided to start this month’s round of Judging posts with a couple beautiful editions of Pride and Prejudice! Also I miss seeing the grass, damn winter! On the left is my Barnes and Noble edition from 2011 with cover art by the amazing Jessica Hische. It doesn’t have any illustrations, but it does have lovely drop caps at the start of each chapter. ISBN: 9781435127449.
On the right is my Easton Press edition from 1977. It has illustrations by Helen Sewell and gilded edges. No ISBN listed in this copy.
By the way, if any of you have decided to read some Jane Austen or related books this month, let me know and we can discuss!
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