My shocking upset in the Tournament of Books got me thinking that it's been a while since I posted about the international life of Harry, Revised. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the new international covers, some of which I'm quite mad for.
Actually, the first cover is the US paperback cover (coming April 28) which, as you can see, very closely follows the original UK cover:
I've always liked the drawing of the figure, there's something just a little jaunty about it that appeals to me. And there's a weird pathos about the short tie that kinda kills me.
The book was released last month in Norway by Font with the simple title Harry, and I'm seriously wild about this cover. I love Molly's sauciness and the retro feel of the whole thing:
Amusingly, the blurb excerpted on the cover is New York Magazine's "Buy It" commandment.
Next up is the Greek cover. As the US paperback based itself on the original UK cover, this one uses the Australian artwork but I love trying to make out the Greek alphabet. That said, I won't even hazard a guess at how the title has been tranlsated but my Greek readers should feel free to assist:
Speaking of the UK cover, the UK edition is actually getting a redesign for a second, mass-market life. According to my UK editor, the earlier edition is aimed a bit more toward critical attention, whereas the second version has more commercial conisderations. Here's the cover, in all its considerable razzamatazz:
Last up, we have the German edition of Harry, which is the first one to focus on the Monte Cristo sandwich that sets much of the action in motion. The title, Harry die Zweite, means "Harry the Second":
Finally, today's mail also brought me some copies of the German audiobook. I don't speak German, so it was interesting to listen to for about three minutes, but MOTEV, a former professor of German literature, is fluent, so a copy is headed her way:
So that's where we stand, everyone's up to date. I'll probably share a few more updates as Harry, Revised moves into a second life in paperback, and I'll share anything I learn along the way about this cryptic business of selling books. More soon.
The Greek title is "Another Man", which is not that interesting. "Man", by the way, here means "person" or "human" (anthropos), and not a male.
Posted by: Thomas | March 18, 2009 at 02:01 AM
I love comparing international covers. I was just in London and noticed how different their covers are from ours here in America. Sometimes, they have the ability to completely transform the book.
Posted by: Lauren | March 18, 2009 at 06:33 AM
Hey, what's up with the 1st person post?
Posted by: Paul Lamb | March 18, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Mark, I too love the drawing on the paperback. It perfectly and at an instance captures the occassional confidence (the Count cover, the wearing of a suit) belied by the more throrough lack of confidence (the short tie, the frumpled jacket bottom, the overall style of the drawing). I would instantly understand and identify with that figure seeing this on a shelf.
Posted by: Carl | March 18, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Happy to see all of this coming to you, after enjoying your blog for so long.
Posted by: MJ | March 18, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Hey, thanks Thomas. Not very inspiring, I agree.
And Paul, we like to mix it up here at TEV, but I have always used first person on personal posts and/or posts about Harry.
Thanks, everyone for the kind comments!
Posted by: TEV | March 18, 2009 at 12:46 PM
The US paperback cover is sorta reminiscent of that Sleeveface meme that's been going around.
The Norwegian one rocks the best, though.
Posted by: Neil S. | March 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Love the paperback drawing too, instantly attracts me as a user due to its subtleties and style...the UK commercial one is decent enough though. On a book site I use they've got the picture as the greek cover but in English - you should have a word with them to change it because it looks a bit rubbish there! You can find the link here - bookarmy Great book though, loved it!
Posted by: frank publisher | March 20, 2009 at 05:31 AM
The greek title means "Another man", but with a slightly different connotation than in english. It could be translated "One Other Man" as in "A Different/Strange/Peculiar Man"
It's not that uninspiring Mark, the hidden meaning is lost in translation from Greek to English.
Anyway, congratulations on your greek translation...i'll rush to buy it of course.
Posted by: vasilis | March 23, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Love those guys at FONT in Norway. They produce beautiful books and have excellent taste in comic novels.
Posted by: mark haskell smith | April 02, 2009 at 03:28 PM