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Dreadful Book Covers


On June 24, prolific author Joyce Carol Oates has a new book coming out, and I must say that the cover is dreadful! The title is My Sister, My Love: The Intimate Story of Skyler Rampike (dreadful in and of itself), and, as in her 2001 novel Blonde (about the life of Marilyn Monroe), Oates tries to take on a controversial subject: the death of Jon Benet Ramsey (only she gives the character a new name). I’m honestly surprised by this cover—considering some of the great covers Oates’s books have had in the past, I would have expected something better. But Oates’s name is what sells her books. Here, the little boy on the left looks downright creepy, and his back leg is at a weird angle. Plus, the cut-out “inset” doesn’t really work for me. What say you?
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Anonymous said…
Was the mysterious murder case of the young beauty queen ever solved? Given this controversial premise, I might as well give my first try of her. :)
May 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Katherine said…
Oates is a fantastic writer--definitely give it a shot. I recommend them (her first novel; the title isn't captialized), Blonde, or We Were the Mulvaneys/
May 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Kim said…
I agree--dreadful cover and I must confess that the story line doesn't sound appealing either.
*smiles*
Kim
May 29, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said…
I'd say that's pretty bad. I own a book of hers but all I've read are her short stories. For some reason I haven't had a strong desire to pick up the book (Mulvaneys)
May 29, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Anonymous said…
Weird cover!
May 30, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Anonymous said…
When I first picked this book up I definitely agreed, but now that I've finished it it's a strangely agreeable cover. (The boy's bent leg (assumedly) has to do with an accident he has in the book.)
November 4, 2008 at 5:42 PM
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