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reebsforspace's review
5.0
What a fun book! Pretty to flip through, the stories accompanying the covers were a delight, explaining the process, materials, and at times giving humorous anecdotes. Looking forward to a Vol. 2!
christinel's review
5.0
This visual stunner is jaw dropping. It's edited by Paul Buckley, whose job at Penguin is to match artists with book covers for fancy editions of classics or serious literature where the company really wants to make a splash. Buckley and his supporting team have looked back over their favourites and included them here, with notes from the artists about what the process was like. The book starts out with some of the more edgy, graphic, even gory covers, and eases into the pretty. You never know what's coming when you turn the page and the overall feeling is like a day in really good art gallery that you entered knowing nothing about.
tabby2920's review
5.0
For anyone who loves to look at book covers and finds an appreciation for them, this is the book for you! You get to see the hard work Penguin puts in publishing their books shows.
hanastanley's review
5.0
Man, this was SO GOOD. I'm a complete book cover snob, and I've always been in awe of what Penguin does with theirs- they're always willing to do something really innovative, creative, and sometimes even risky. Reading about the process behind their most popular classics covers (some of which I have on my own shelf, and have spent many hours admiring) was inspiring, and honestly quite moving- it sounds silly, but I got a little misty-eyed on several different occasions because I was so incredibly in awe of the passion and intellect these people have when approaching their work.
Again, part of what I find so amazing about Penguin when it comes to their covers is how willing they are to take risks and do something totally unorthodox. Showcasing embroidery on a book cover is already super creative, but to show the chaotic back side of the fabric? Genius!.......if not a little strange, but again, that's the beauty of it. The Greek Myths cover was also amazing- just so completely unorthodox and unexpected, yet so so perfect- and the Kama Sutra cover was stunning, exquisite, and DEFINITELY a bold, risky move. What I also found amazing was the incredible thought that went behind some of their most minimalist covers. The Penguin Drop Caps series may seem like simple ornamental lettering at first, but the longer you look at them the more symbolism you can find hidden in each letter. A moment that actually got an audible gasp from me was when I was reading about the creative process behind the Black Spines edition of The Scarlet Letter. It seems like a very tasteful,simple cover- a black background with white calligraphy letters, the bright red A standing out from the rest- but upon closer inspection, the negative space in the A forms the silhouette of two figures. My mind was totally blown!
I don't think I've ever written a review this long! Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, if you like book covers, or art, or typography, or design, or just really pretty things, you really should be reading this book. You'll gain a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into creating a beautiful book cover.
Again, part of what I find so amazing about Penguin when it comes to their covers is how willing they are to take risks and do something totally unorthodox. Showcasing embroidery on a book cover is already super creative, but to show the chaotic back side of the fabric? Genius!.......if not a little strange, but again, that's the beauty of it. The Greek Myths cover was also amazing- just so completely unorthodox and unexpected, yet so so perfect- and the Kama Sutra cover was stunning, exquisite, and DEFINITELY a bold, risky move. What I also found amazing was the incredible thought that went behind some of their most minimalist covers. The Penguin Drop Caps series may seem like simple ornamental lettering at first, but the longer you look at them the more symbolism you can find hidden in each letter. A moment that actually got an audible gasp from me was when I was reading about the creative process behind the Black Spines edition of The Scarlet Letter. It seems like a very tasteful,simple cover- a black background with white calligraphy letters, the bright red A standing out from the rest- but upon closer inspection, the negative space in the A forms the silhouette of two figures. My mind was totally blown!
I don't think I've ever written a review this long! Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, if you like book covers, or art, or typography, or design, or just really pretty things, you really should be reading this book. You'll gain a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into creating a beautiful book cover.
tallblackguy's review
5.0
This book makes me happy. Not only is the printing high-quality, but a glimpse into the process is what excites me about a book that examines graphic problem solving. We are privy to the thought process behind some great works of art whose job, at the end of the day, is to sell you books you already know or have heard of; how can we give it to you in a new way? Tons of inspiration in here, too.
bibliocyclist's review
3.0
CC Askew
Noma Bar
Ivan Brunetti
Malilka Favre
Juan Gomez Aka Bakea
Kristen Haff
Jessica Hische
Patrice Killoffer
Alex Konahin
Jaya Miceli
Brian Rea
Michael Schwab
Jillian Tamaki
Matt Vee
Manuja Waldia
Eric White
Noma Bar
Ivan Brunetti
Malilka Favre
Juan Gomez Aka Bakea
Kristen Haff
Jessica Hische
Patrice Killoffer
Alex Konahin
Jaya Miceli
Brian Rea
Michael Schwab
Jillian Tamaki
Matt Vee
Manuja Waldia
Eric White
gvh's review
5.0
Reading most my books as ebooks these days, this is a welcome break back to a physical object. Enjoyed spending some hours looking at the variety of art styles, and picking up some reading suggestions along the way. Makes a great coffee table book for the quality reader.