Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead (review) was one of the most anticipated books of the spring. American and British publishers handled the cover design in very different ways. Stuart Bache, the designer of the British cover, explains how he came up with the cover for the UK.
So, which do you prefer? The North American cover that brings to mind the ribbons fastened up a ballet dancer’s leg? Or the more fractured and stark look of the UK cover?
52 books or bust 
I still haven’t read this one, so maybe my opinion would change based on the book itself, but I’m just more attracted to the American version. I think it’s actually those ribbons!
I can’t believe you haven’t read this yet. I thought you’d be all over it.
For some reason, I don’t like the ribbons. To me, they just look like a big ‘X’. I like the fractured look of the other one better.
This book was a DNF for me (which saddens me because I loved her first book), but I still love the pink and white cover.
I loved Seating Arrangements too. Like, really loved it. I thought that might have been why I was bored by Astonish Me. I really wanted to like it, but I can’t blame you for not finishing it.
I’m glad I’m not alone in this. Everyone else has loved it (but most of them didn’t read her first).
I’m partial to the pink ribbons, though I do love the dancers on the UK cover. Ribbons still win for me.
I almost always choose the American covers! I wonder if Americans choose American covers more and CA peeps choose CA covers more. Do you think there are things each one has that Americans or Canadians lean towards?
I always choose the American covers too! I don’t know if you’d ever want to add a second question asking for voters nationalities, but I’m curious if the result of your polls match the nationality of the people participating. Because I’m a stats geek like that 🙂
Almost always people choose the cover they’ve seen first. And I probably should add a question about the voter’s nationality. Katie, you can do the statistical break down for me!
Katie, I totally like that idea and I was going to even suggest it in my comment, at least like for one or two times just to see. Bc I wonder if Americans like certain things more than others, and Canadians, too.
So consider it official. From now on i will be asking for people’s nationality. Thanks for the input!
Woot!
I prefer the American cover. The dancer in the top left corner reminded me of the Target model that had her leg gap altered in Photoshop. It kind of freaks me out.
The American one is just prettier.
I prefer the American cover; the other one looks a little disjointed to me. I like to compare American covers with German covers, and I am often surprised by how different they are. Though I haven’t been able to discern any kind of pattern that might hint at what one country might prefer compared to the other one.
If i’m not mistaken German covers tend to be rather plain, don’t they? Or am I thinking of French covers?
I guess German covers are often plain, though you can find bold colors, and sometimes they are surprisingly whimsical.
It’s rare that I don’t like either one, but I’m kind of like “eeeww” on these. lol This could also be because the black and white one looks like an 90s throwback (that terrible Center Stage movie comes to mind), and I hate pink, so that one is out. haha In addition to being a #coverho, I must also be a #covermudgeon (curmudgeon!).
I love covermudgeon! And I tend to agree with you. The UK cover looks dated (though the book is set about 20 years ago) and like you I hate pink.
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I’d have to go with the UK cover for this one (which I didn’t know what it looked like until I saw this post); the American one doesn’t really pique my interest or tell me anything about the story…
Both the covers are rather understated.