tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post5653196950834492379..comments2024-02-26T02:13:54.009-08:00Comments on Caustic Cover Critic: Peter Blake's 1950s PenguinsJRSMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04430775461763521797noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-85270118452041784732010-01-28T16:01:17.764-08:002010-01-28T16:01:17.764-08:00"If you need to know something about the book..."If you need to know something about the book to understand the point of the cover, then the cover needs a crutch."<br /><br />I'm not sure that I agree, as long as the cover is eye-catching or otherwise beautiful enough to get you to pick up or find out more about the book. Of course, if you think the cover's a horrible mess, then it has failed.JRSMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430775461763521797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-67025940550928233162010-01-28T07:52:02.505-08:002010-01-28T07:52:02.505-08:00I hate to be the naysayer of the group, but all (e...I hate to be the naysayer of the group, but all (except possibly the second to last) of these covers are over-thought, uber-designed crap. I've always felt that a decent cover should stand on its own as a work of art and I don't think any of these (again, except for possibly the last one--though it seems like a Thurber rip-off) accomplish that. If I knew more about "Billy Liar" I might better understand what an old pack of cigarettes has to do with the story, but then again that's the point, isn't it? If you need to know something about the book to understand the point of the cover, then the cover needs a crutch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-27534165412634113072010-01-14T13:48:39.071-08:002010-01-14T13:48:39.071-08:00Tulkinghorn: Thanks for the link--I'd assumed ...Tulkinghorn: Thanks for the link--I'd assumed it was a pack of cards, so you cleared that up.<br /><br />Christy: Ditto!<br /><br />Deb: I know what you mean, but as long as they don't mess with the text! My only complaint is that the new editions are almost always more beautiful than the ones I own.<br /><br />Brian: You can hear the synths, can't you?JRSMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430775461763521797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-82279313510835913532010-01-14T04:50:30.340-08:002010-01-14T04:50:30.340-08:00Couldn't agree more that the current Billy Lia...Couldn't agree more that the current <i>Billy Liar</i> is "incredibly '80s-looking". Here Billy looks like a member of ABC (or possibly Spandau Ballet).Brian Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120341319506205062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-51904686096165978232010-01-13T05:38:32.491-08:002010-01-13T05:38:32.491-08:00I should make myself clearer: It seems that Pengu...I should make myself clearer: It seems that Penguin frequently releases commemorations of old material, repurposed and repackaged, similar to the way George Lucas is always tinkering with previous releases of "Star Wars."<br /><br />Caffeine--I need caffeine before I start posting in the morning!Debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-78775749513945568942010-01-13T05:36:04.922-08:002010-01-13T05:36:04.922-08:00I love these Penguin covers, but in a way, Penguin...I love these Penguin covers, but in a way, Penguin reminds me of the "Star Wars" franchise--so much of it is just recycling what has come before.Debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-63486242722484204102010-01-12T17:31:53.111-08:002010-01-12T17:31:53.111-08:00I love that last one. Beautiful.I love that last one. Beautiful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413291183164140297.post-86020128772757612502010-01-12T16:52:27.420-08:002010-01-12T16:52:27.420-08:00British nostalgists will recognize the source for ...British nostalgists will recognize the source for the last "Billy Liar" cover:<br /><br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenton_sands/2397583244/Tulkinghornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12380273659057130770noreply@blogger.com