With the recent book cover reveals for Still Life and The Black Wolf, here's a different perspective: cover art for books printed in French! What do you think of these covers and how do you feel they compare to the ones presented previously here?

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2 Comments

  1. These are fascinating to me— not only the cover art work, but the translations of the titles (I had to use Google Translate for most it, as I only know a little French) — I love seeing subtle differences in the same materials. It makes me think about how we can be seeing, reading, absorbing the same things, and yet getting slightly different messages. We think we’re on the same page, but are we really? The title “En Plein Couer” translating to “In The Heart” instead of “Still Life,” for example. (I have no idea why that doesn’t translate literally into “In Full Heart,” BTW, but the app doesn’t say it that way.) That’s a very clever title, very pertinent to the story, but it focuses on a different theme than “Still Life” does. I always wonder what else is stated differently, explained differently, when stories are translated into different languages. I will probably never be good enough in any other language than English to appreciate such nuances, but I wish I were. Are there any polyglots among us? If so, have you ever read books in multiple languages, and if so, did you get different experiences from reading them that way? Did it change your perceptions of the characters, plot, themes, etc.?
    As for the cover art, what strikes me in all of these is an overall theme emphasizing nature, weather, isolation. All of them are a bit more wild and atmospheric in a way that feels different than most of the covers published in the U.S., and I’m guessing it’s a conscience decision to emphasize something that the publishers feel will attract the audience. Location and weather are indeed drawing factors in this series, and when you pick up those books, you may feel pulled into that world more immediately. Interesting choices. Funny, but I don’t feel warm when looking at any of the covers, not even The Beautiful Mystery or A Rule Against Murder (Defense de Tuer), with all the light spilling in. I feel a chill in all of them, even though not all of those books take place during the colder months.

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