The drab looking book cover

Use this forum to discuss the October Book of the Month "McDowell" by William H. Coles.
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ShailaSheshadri
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Re: The drab looking book cover

Post by ShailaSheshadri »

The black and white cover with a half-hidden face fits perfectly with this novel. The cover makes the story appear intriguing and mysterious. The minimalistic image portrays McDowell's simplicity and how he led a life in disguise.
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Post by Sara Kay »

I think the book cover design and simplicity are striking. It definitely intrigued me, personally. As with a book that has too many long complicated words, sometimes, too much colour or detail detracts from the overall impact.
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Post by T_stone »

The monochrome colour of the book cover fits the character of Hiram McDowell perfectly.
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Post by Bronie »

There's that saying, don't judge a book by it's cover. I think that the black and while style fit the book.
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Post by Juliar252 »

The black and white cover definitely intrigued me, and it matched the book's style and overtones. I am typically drawn to books by their covers, and the air of mystery surrounding this cover drew me in.
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Post by Izzy+ »

briellejee wrote: 23 Oct 2018, 03:16 I think the black and white cover is fitting for the book. It highlights the mysteriousness and the simplicity and straightforwardness portraying McDowell's character. Vibrant colors may be eye-catching but black and white and minimalism also do that. It makes the book even more enigmatic, in my opinion.
Definitely agree that it makes the book more enigmatic. Especially because there is such a shift from the beginning of the book to the later part.
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Post by sszb »

I am guilty of judging a book by the cover. When I saw it's cover I felt like the book is based on some depressing story. I had just passed it. Later I read it's review and find out the tale is very interesting. I read the book because of the review.
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Post by Acwoolet »

I think that it’s very fitting for the book. Sometimes it’s better to have an understated cover.
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Post by TheRVMom »

I think the book cover is ok. I think it would stand out to me if it were just stacked with a bunch of other books because there aren't many in black and white. It would catch my eye. I don't like the character, McDowell, so I don't think he deserves a fancy cover. HA!
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Post by Nusrat_Shabnam_ »

The cover fits best since it is a mysterious story. The colorful cover would have been a no match in this case.
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Post by Dael Reader »

I think the cover works fine. It's presumably a picture of Hiram, the main character who thinks the whole world revolves around him. In a sense, I think the black and white suits my own perspective of Hiram. He has no great depth. He is so focused on himself that he probably sees the world in black and white, and thinks that every action is either good or bad depending on how much it benefits him. But then, the author probably wasn't trying to be philosophical with the cover art. He probably just wanted something basic.
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Post by Ehartl »

I think this cover is perfect for the book because it captures the essence of Hiram McDowell’s character without words. However, I think this because I know what the book is about. If I just happened to glance at it at a bookstore without knowing anything about it, I might pass it up just because it doesn’t catch the eye easily.
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Post by FionaTZY »

I feel it makes the book seem more mysterious and intrigues me. Among many book covers in colour, it will also stand out.
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Post by Cristina Chifane »

At first I didn't like the cover, but later on I realized it perfectly fit McDowell who is unable to see the wonderful colors of life and only acts as if he saw everything in black and white.
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Post by Quinto »

I think the two shades portrayed on the book cover reflect on Hiram's character quite well. He is a Jekyll and Hyde sort of character.
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