British Hardcover [ Edited ]

[vivico1]

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KathyS wrote:

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momgee wrote:

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KathyS wrote:
. But the garden, although a very nice picture, for whatever reason it doesn't speak to me of mystery. Just of curiosity. Again the wordage speaks of four walls, and you are looking at a garden setting that doesn't say secrets.......too much light, perhaps?.......

Wow! I take the gate as definitely saying secrets. What is it hiding inside and what is it keeping out.The American staircase version just says cheesy to me. I get the upstairs downstairs thing but it just smacks of cheap book. I don't know why. Maybe that's why there are numerous covers to spark an interest in a lot of different viewpoints.

kaye

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Cheesy and Cheap?...The American jacket is dramatic/dynamic and bold cover, both in color and design, that's for sure, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap and cheesy. I like a little of each of these covers, but I would change all of them, in some slight way.....it's just how I view them....but these jackets are finished, and I was trying to find the interesting/uninteresting/technical aspects of them, as I view a finished painting. I try to stay away from derogatory, non-productive words.

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Kathy, its her "opinion" and she has the right to say it. I love the American one but she finds it cheesy and cheap. There is nothing wrong with stating that, any of us that say why we dont like one of them are stating our opinions using any words against one cover over the other could be seen as derogatory. Her words are as productive as someone's who likes it because they say what the cover made her feel about it. This isnt a job where we have to give "constructive criticism" with a follow up solution. We discuss our opinions and so since she did not put anyone down, or anyone else's view, she's cool. We arent all going to like the same thing.
Hey momgee? I'll tell ya a secret, thats what I thought about the one with the man and the two girls running hand in hand LOL. Pretty cheesy, but I guess it worked for that country or they wouldnt have used it. Interesting the different opinions people have of the various covers. If we all liked the same or said so, that would be weird, like we all came out of the same factory We all use the words we choose to use and its not like I saw in one club whre someone said something about a cover and what he said had to be bleeped LOL. No bleeper or attack, no foul. And after all, putting down how another expresses their thoughts or suggesting they shouldnt use such words, could be seen as derogatory to them couldnt it? Its all good!

Message Edited by vivico1 on 01-15-2008 05:01 PM

[KathyS]

Vivian, I would suggest you talk about the book covers, or topic threads, and stay away from these types of personal conversations. Only a suggestion.

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vivico1 wrote:

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KathyS wrote:

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momgee wrote:

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KathyS wrote:
. But the garden, although a very nice picture, for whatever reason it doesn't speak to me of mystery. Just of curiosity. Again the wordage speaks of four walls, and you are looking at a garden setting that doesn't say secrets.......too much light, perhaps?.......

Wow! I take the gate as definitely saying secrets. What is it hiding inside and what is it keeping out.The American staircase version just says cheesy to me. I get the upstairs downstairs thing but it just smacks of cheap book. I don't know why. Maybe that's why there are numerous covers to spark an interest in a lot of different viewpoints.

kaye

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Cheesy and Cheap?...The American jacket is dramatic/dynamic and bold cover, both in color and design, that's for sure, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it cheap and cheesy. I like a little of each of these covers, but I would change all of them, in some slight way.....it's just how I view them....but these jackets are finished, and I was trying to find the interesting/uninteresting/technical aspects of them, as I view a finished painting. I try to stay away from derogatory, non-productive words.

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Kathy, its her "opinion" and she has the right to say it. I love the American one but she finds it cheesy and cheap. There is nothing wrong with stating that, any of us that say why we dont like one of them are stating our opinions using any words against one cover over the other could be seen as derogatory. Her words are as productive as someone's who likes it because they say what the cover made her feel about it. This isnt a job where we have to give "constructive criticism" with a follow up solution. We discuss our opinions and so since she did not put anyone down, or anyone else's view, she's cool. We arent all going to like the same thing.
Hey momgee? I'll tell ya a secret, thats what I thought about the one with the man and the two girls running hand in hand LOL. Pretty cheesy, but I guess it worked for that country or they wouldnt have used it. Interesting the different opinions people have of the various covers. If we all liked the same or said so, that would be weird, like we all came out of the same factory We all use the words we choose to use and its not like I saw in one club whre someone said something about a cover and what he said had to be bleeped LOL. No bleeper or attack, no foul. And after all, putting down how another expresses their thoughts or suggesting they shouldnt use such words, could be seen as derogatory to them couldnt it? Its all good!

Message Edited by vivico1 on 01-15-2008 05:01 PM

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[eightcatz]

Thanks for posting all the different covers for comparison. I like the American cover the best, but I also like the UK cover.

[vivico1]

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KathyS wrote:
Vivian, I would suggest you talk about the book covers, or topic threads, and stay away from these types of personal conversations. Only a suggestion.

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Oohh, yes Ma'am! lol, good thing that didnt sound derogatory! Ya got me tickled now. Oh come on Kathy, just trying to keep the harmony and not scare off newbies from expressing themselves. And it was on this topic. Lighten up, thats two of us now on the very same thread that you have suggested for us to do something or not do something. I am not even upset either! We finally got thinned out threads some, and moving along so again, like I said, its all good. After all Kathy, I just joined in the personal convo that you started and then talked about covers how we all see things differently too. Its alright really.

[Choisya]

Maria: I am puzzled: I have a copy of the British paperback edition published by Pan in 2007 and the cover is exactly the same as the hardback edition, not at all like the one illustrated here. Has another paperback edition with a different cover been published already? If so, well done Ms Morton!

Perhaps because I am a keen gardener, I like the British edition cover best. I think the path leading to the gate and beyond, and the light and shade, are suggestive of the book's mysteries and secrets. Also, the caption 'Within its four walls lay a secret that would last a lifetime' is cleverly placed beside the shadow of the gate and looks like prison bars. Very clever.

[KathyS]

Choisya,
Interesting about the British book cover changes....

....and I like that thought about the shadow of the gate.....and the gate resembling prison bars....good food for thought...
K.

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Choisya wrote:
Maria: I am puzzled: I have a copy of the British paperback edition published by Pan in 2007 and the cover is exactly the same as the hardback edition, not at all like the one illustrated here. Has another paperback edition with a different cover been published already? If so, well done Ms Morton!

Perhaps because I am a keen gardener, I like the British edition cover best. I think the path leading to the gate and beyond, and the light and shade, are suggestive of the book's mysteries and secrets. Also, the caption 'Within its four walls lay a secret that would last a lifetime' is cleverly placed beside the shadow of the gate and looks like prison bars. Very clever.

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[ABH47]

I purchased the British version of the paperback when we began reading this book, to see if there would be any differences in word spelling/editing (I didn't see any). The cover is as Choisya described, the garden and gate etc. It is very attractive (except for the sticker attached in the upper right hand corner that says "Richard & Judy's Winner"...I plan to try to remove that! LOL)
I hope this is the cover they stay with in Britain for the hard cover edition, because it is very beautiful and I like the enticement of the words "Within its four walls lay a secret that would last a lifetime"

[Maria_H]

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Choisya wrote:
Maria: I am puzzled: I have a copy of the British paperback edition published by Pan in 2007 and the cover is exactly the same as the hardback edition, not at all like the one illustrated here. Has another paperback edition with a different cover been published already? If so, well done Ms Morton!

Perhaps because I am a keen gardener, I like the British edition cover best. I think the path leading to the gate and beyond, and the light and shade, are suggestive of the book's mysteries and secrets. Also, the caption 'Within its four walls lay a secret that would last a lifetime' is cleverly placed beside the shadow of the gate and looks like prison bars. Very clever.

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Good question. I did not want to say anything until I got confirmation on this, but the cover that I labeled "British Paperback" may not exist at all. And that the cover labeled "British Hardcover" is, in fact, the only cover for the British edition, an edition that only exist in paperback form.

I will certainly post an update when I find out more!

[Everyman]

There are quite a few more covers, in the various languages into which the book has been translated, on Kate Morton's website. Go to
http://www.katemorton.com/default.asp?z=10
to check them all out.

[Tarri]

I like them all, thanks for the link.

[ABH47]

I'm still intrigued that the woman on the Australian cover is identified here as Miriam Hopkins. While there certainly is a resemblance, I can't help but wonder if her image isn't still copyrighted by a studio or at least a member of her family. Of course the family/estate could have been paid to use her likeness. Personally I don't think it is her. It would be really interesting to hear from those 'in the know.' I feel the woman on the Australian cover is a model made up to look like someone from the 1930s.

For 4 photos of Miriam Hopkins on IMDb, check out:
http://tinyurl.com/32hscl

[KristyR]

I like the American and British hardcovers the best. I don't really like the British softcover - I think it looks too much like the cover of a generic romance novel! Why the name change for the Australian book? I like it though, it sounds very mysterious and dramatic to me!

[KathyS]

Kaye,
I sincerely apologize if I sounded blunt or rude with my reply to you about your opinion of the cover. I didn't mean it in the way it ended up sounding. I was tactless.
I'm truly sorry.

Kathy S

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momgee wrote:

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KathyS wrote:
. But the garden, although a very nice picture, for whatever reason it doesn't speak to me of mystery. Just of curiosity. Again the wordage speaks of four walls, and you are looking at a garden setting that doesn't say secrets.......too much light, perhaps?.......

Wow! I take the gate as definitely saying secrets. What is it hiding inside and what is it keeping out.The American staircase version just says cheesy to me. I get the upstairs downstairs thing but it just smacks of cheap book. I don't know why. Maybe that's why there are numerous covers to spark an interest in a lot of differnt viewpoints.

kaye

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Message Edited by KathyS on 01-17-2008 12:32 AM

[KristyR]

Okay, the French version kills me! There is no way I would even pick it up off the table to read the blurb. It's interesting how the different covers affect what I think the book must be about. The different covers lead me to believe The House at Riverton could be a book based on a movie, or a romance, or a mystery, or a history, or a ghost story, or even a travel guide! I haven't finished the book yet, so I still don't know what I consider it.

[Maria_H]

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Maria_H wrote: I will certainly post an update when I find out more!

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Update: The cover incorrectly labeled British Hardcover is, in fact, the paperback. There is no hardcover and the one featuring the ghostly figure was only a concept that never made it to the printing press.

That just gives us more to think about!

[ABH47]

Apparently the British hardcover edition will have the same cover as the one in the USA. (I just checked it on amazon.com/uk and there it was!) Interesting....I guess they feel that cover will appeal to readers on both sides of the pond!

[LovinLife]

I like the American Hardcover best -- the colors are so bold and the staircase lends itself to the mystery of the house. You wonder where does it lead? My second choice is the British softcover, I believe. The garden with the gate is intriguing but I think that may be because of what I have already read of the book. Otherwise, I'm not sure it would be as clear of a link to the title of the book. Either one is attractive and eye-catching.

[Terrie]

I like the American one - so far; but the staircase would definitely have to wrap to overlook a room - I think it was said it would be the library? Otherwise, although it is very classy, clean and straightforward, it's a bit plain to me AND the window is distracting to me - as if I need to look outside it to see what's going on. That's why, for me, the staircase would have to continue to wrap to give me a look at the "inside" of the house, kind of pull me into the household. The UK cover personally grabbed me as it is, to me, a classic cover for a victorian novel - plus I am also an avid gardener - but I get the thought that it's a little too feminine to appeal to everyone.

[RachelAnn]

I like the American cover because of the staircase it is nice. After looking at the other covers on her website I do like the French cover, simply because it has three people on the cover. Because the triangle plays such a heavy role in the book the cover is kind of great.
The American cover with the staircase is nice because of the significance of the staircase. The line between servants and those they served could not be better illustrated than using the staircase. Both in the book and on the cover.
I do disagree about boy covers and girl covers, as some have stated. I think that if a book is good enough no matter what is on the cover the book will be read. This book is excellent and with the overseas sales, obviously men are buying the book and reading it as well. I think word of mouth is the best advertising. I almost wish this book would make it's way into Oprah's hands. I think she would enjoy it immensely.
When it comes to a book I think the old adage is true. "You can't judge a book by it's cover"

Rachel Ann

[KathyS]

Hum...? Terrie, you're right, that is a window on that wall...all this time I thought it was a picture frame...I assumed! I'll have to rethink this one....seems an odd place to put a window. Has anyone seen the artist?

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Terrie wrote:
I like the American one - so far; but the staircase would definitely have to wrap to overlook a room - I think it was said it would be the library? Otherwise, although it is very classy, clean and straightforward, it's a bit plain to me AND the window is distracting to me - as if I need to look outside it to see what's going on. That's why, for me, the staircase would have to continue to wrap to give me a look at the "inside" of the house, kind of pull me into the household. The UK cover personally grabbed me as it is, to me, a classic cover for a victorian novel - plus I am also an avid gardener - but I get the thought that it's a little too feminine to appeal to everyone.

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