tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post2571605984170273322..comments2024-03-25T11:29:25.356-04:00Comments on Existential Ennui: On the Beach by Nevil Shute: First Edition (Heinemann, 1957), Review, and Cover Artist John Rowland, feat. Elleston Trevor's The Killing-Ground (Heinemann, 1956); a Lewes Bookshop BargainNick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-2634344495050330212011-10-14T11:21:50.538-04:002011-10-14T11:21:50.538-04:00They may indeed, Mr. Wolf, and I welcome yours. Ho...They may indeed, Mr. Wolf, and I welcome yours. However, in its defence, I'd say that, while you're quite correct Rowland's On the Beach jacket doesn't really tell you what the novel's about, it is quite intriguing. I recall seeing an image of that cover before I even knew what the book was a about, and it made me curious about the story. Who were those people? Where are they standing? Why are some of them in uniform?<br /><br />I'm a great believer in un-literal or subtly allusive covers: they can draw a reader in just as well as a cover with a stonking great tank on the front, I find. The next cover I'll be showing is just as abstract as the On the Beach one, but again, it's mysterious and intriguing.<br /><br />But that aside, aesthetically speaking, Rowland was evidently a fine illustrator, and I could happily spend a good while just gazing at his book covers.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-84418885039473190222011-10-14T11:00:37.983-04:002011-10-14T11:00:37.983-04:00Sorry, that ON THE BEACH cover is pretty poor. No...Sorry, that ON THE BEACH cover is pretty poor. Not a clue as to what the story's about, or whether its a travelogue, a crime novel, a drama, a bio, a ... whereas the KILLING GROUND one is much more effective in pulling a potential reader into it. <br /><br />Opinions may vary, of course.<br /><br /> S. Wolf<br /> (From the Quiller list)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com