The Friday Face-Off was created by Books by Proxy, where each week bloggers can showcase books with covers centered around a weekly theme. You can visit Lynn’s Books for a list of upcoming themes. Join in the fun each Friday by finding a book whose cover is based on the theme!
This week’s theme: Moody – A cover that is atmospheric.
I picked something really recent this week, The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel. I just reviewed this earlier in the week and really loved it! I also think the U.S. cover is extremely atmospheric, which is why I chose it. Here are the three different covers I found:
This is the cover I love best, a view of the Hotel Caiette from across the water, shrouded in fog. This is the U.S. cover and when I first saw it, I thought it was very simple and not that interesting. But the more I look at it, the move I love it. The feeling of isolation works so well here, which is an important theme in the story.
This is the UK cover, which I also like very much. It also gives you the sense of isolation that Mandel conveys so well in the book. Part of the story takes place on a remote island in Vancouver, accessible only by boat, and this cover has a mysterious quality that mimics the mysteries in this story.
Finally, we have the Canadian edition from Harper Collins. I love this one too, this is probably my second favorite. If you’ve read the book, you’ll notice this image is very clever, and embodies two settings in the story. It represents the hotel with huge glass windows, but it also looks just like a ship, and a ship also plays a big part in the story. Well done, Harper Collins!
I love the U. S. cover too, it is evocative!
It is! The fog and the colors really work for me.
The US edition is probably my favorite as well. It looks so mysterious and it’s just a really great covers. The others are nice too, though!
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There’s something about an island in the middle of nowhere that I love:-)
All three covers are nice, but I like the Canadian cover the best for its graphic symmetry.
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Me too, graphically the Canadian is definitely the best:-)
I’m most drawn to the US cover. I love the foggy reflection and even the odd color gradations. I’m not a big fan of the font and text layout, though.
I agree, the font is pretty boring, unfortunately…
I like the Canadian cover the best, I think! I will be reading this soon. Maybe after I finish THE STARLESS SEA.
I love the Canadian cover too, it’s very clever:-)
The first cover, no doubt about it: nothing can be more atmospheric than fog, with its deceiving properties… 😉
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Yes, fog for the win!
Not having read it I would say the US cover would pull me in more than the other covers because I like the isolated feel with the foggy mist.
Me too, I love the mist, and I love the green color, for some reason.
Having not read the book yet I’m not sure how all the cover fit in. Initially I love the US cover but man, the longer I look at the Canadian one, the more I love it. What a hard decision.
All the covers are pretty good, but the US and Canadian are the best as far as relating to the story.
The first one, for sure!!
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Agreed!
They are three outstanding covers, Tammy. I think I lost my heart to the US cover, but I like them all:). Great choice for this week’s them and I am delighted you enjoyed the book so much. This is a book I need to try.
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you decide to read it:-)
Oh wow. I LOVE that misty US cover- you’re right, VERY atmospheric! Plus i love moody covers like that. The last one with the glass/ ship look is also amazing.
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The US cover seems very simple at first, but it really is cool when you study it!
I think the UK version is my favorite! It does give you that isolated sensation, but with a new agey feel!
I hadn’t noticed it, but you’re right. It does sort of feel new age:-)
Nice pick! I like all these covers, but the first one is probably the most atmospheric for me. 🙂
I agree, the fog and the isolation of that little island, super atmospheric!
I love the first cover too. It perfectly fits this week’s topic.
Yes, the fog!
I definitely think the US cover is the best! It captures the prompt so well. The others? Ehhhh. They don’t seem anywhere near as atmospheric to me lol.
I agree, the US wins in the atmospheric category for sure:-)
I think the US cover is my favorite too. And it’s definitely Atmospheric!
Yes, the fog and the greenish weird foggy color make it very atmospheric!
This is a great choice for this week’s theme. I can’t wait to pick this one up and I think the UK cover really works for me.
Lynn 😀
I’m surprised how many people like the UK cover!