Wouldn't you pick this up at first glance?

[rogueslayer452]

Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)



I chose this specifically because of the controversy surrounding the recently coverart change, as it is seen as racist because it seems Asian-themed covers won't draw a wider audience of readers. Which is ridiculous and utter bullshit, really. You can read more about this outrage here along with seeing the "changed" cover that is deemed more "appropriate" and judge for yourself which one is the better. Personally, I think this cover is gorgeous, and definitely eye-catching and even without reading it I know I would want to pick it up. This is marketing, not trying to turn it into something basic and thinking people will go for it. No, something that pops out to the eye and this cover does that exactly, not some badly photoshopped version. Also, to change the cover from an Asian-based story to something that is clearly non-Asian is not only misleading about what the story is about but also blatant racism whether they admit to it or not.

Someone also pointed out the Indonesian cover, which is also very beautiful.

Comments

[secret-hotel.livejournal.com]

That is such bullshit. Although I take some major issues with the text design (of all the covers, actually), to change the covers to obviously Western models is completely ridiculous. The original cover model is absolutely gorgeous, and the image itself is much more stunning. The Indonesian cover is my favorite of all of them (aside from the really bad title text).

Sorry, when one is the long time girlfriend of a graphic designer, one gets increasingly bothered by poor design choices, lol. I didn't mean to distract from the huge and utterly ridiculous race issue. Just...the text...it burnssss our eyeses!!

I still don't understand how this is happening with the rising popularity of Asian cultures and media that's been going on for the past 10+ years. Then again my perception might be skewed as an East Asian Studies student who is constantly surrounded by pro-Asian...everything.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I've never really been bothered by texts, unless they are absolutely horrendous. But if you spent all that time around graphic design, I guess being familiarized with it would make you become a bit irritated, lol.

Yeah, I don't really understand what the issue is either. The fact that it needs to be dealt with kind of makes you realize just how much of a standstill we are on this issue still and it's just very sad. :(