Penguin Paperbacks: New Cover Designs for The Big Sleep

[Edward]

Penguin Books in the UK held a competition to choose a new cover design for Chandler's The Big Sleep. The link shows the final ten.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2013/jun/19/penguin-illustration#/?picture=411065760&index=0

If pushed, I think my favourite might be number two, but they're all worthy contenders in my eye.

 

[Touchofevil]

I am not sure which one I enjoy the most as I somewhat enjoy all. Just the fact that they rereleasing The Big Sleep makes me happy. I find myself to be somewhat excited whenever a classic pulp or hardboiled is rereleased no matter the cover design.

 

[Smithy]

Very nice designs, I happen to like number 3 perhaps the best.

Although I must admit I prefer the original Popular Penguins design which is still available here:

Five other Chandlers are also currently available here with the old style Penguin covers:

http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780141037592/big-sleep-popular-penguins

I'll admit though that it's most likely nostalgia as I grew up with these style covers.

 

[Two Types]

I like the idea of the design for number 1 but it just feels a bit too 1920s.


Five and six are good, especially since they fit in with the styles currently being used in paperback publishing.

 

[Feraud]

They are all quite good and found it hard to select just one! I am thrilled to hear of a Big Sleep reissue and love to support the printed word!

 

[ScionPI2005]

Wow! I like all of those. I'm not sure I could choose my favorite.

 

[skyvue]

They are all quite good and found it hard to select just one! I am thrilled to hear of a Big Sleep reissue and love to support the printed word!

I like all the covers, too, but surely The Big Sleep hasn't been out of print in England, has it?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

These are my two favorites as they more in the spirit of the era that the stories where written and set.

 

[dhermann1]

Yeah, something about 5 that I responded to. But they're all, every one of them, great.

 

[Two Types]

surely The Big Sleep hasn't been out of print in England, has it?

I don't think so. My daughter bought it last year. All of Chandler's books were reissued in the UK in a series (including a collection of the short stories). I guess they are just doing it to help keep the book fresh.

 

[Locrian]

All of these designs are terrific but I like the simplicity of 1 and 5. The winner is pretty darned good too.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

The german "Büchergilde Gutenberg" published an illustrated edition not long ago. The style of the illustrations is more modern but I quite like it. It's all in german, sorry.

https://www.buechergilde.de/chandler-der-grosse-schlaf.html

 

[Edward]

Interesting art style, very comic book, but in a specific way that reminds me of some of the stuff I've read over the years that is specifically aimed at children. Which, given the subject matter and tone of the text, gives it a very creepy air which I think really works... Frank Miller's Sin City style would also fit right in.

 

[Locrian]

When it is released with the new cover, which I like more and more, I'll read it again. I hope they do a new release of The Lady in the Lake as well.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The artwork is a bit reminiscent of Charles Addams. Nonetheless, even if you don't know German that edition would be a welcome addition to the collection of any Chandler fan.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Personally, I've always liked these covers from the '80s.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

I clicked on the link hoping to see at least one cover with a big eye (I collect those) and sure enough I did! I couldn't choose a favorite, tho, I like 'em all.

 

[O2BSwank]

My favorite was #5. Kind of reminds me of the original cover of the Great Gatsby, with the smaller detail elements of the city skyline visible in the ashtray.