UK vs US Covers: Historical Fiction
A while ago, we did a UK vs UK covers post and really enjoyed commenting on them. After seeing a Tiktok comparing greek mythology books, we thought we’d do historical fiction, as there are some very pretty covers.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
M: I definitely think I prefer the UK cover of Ariadne. For me, I feel like it oozes Greek mythology and captures its target audience better.
C: I also prefer the UK cover as it highlights so many elements of the book from hinting at Dionysus and the thread twisting around the figure of Ariadne. I do like the bold colours of the US cover though.
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
M: The US cover for me is just far more eye-catching and I love the contrasting colour choices. If on a shelf the UK cover wouldn’t entice me to pick it up.
C: I’m not a huge fan of book covers with people on them, so I have to say that the US cover is my favourite just as a default.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
M: Having read Hamnet and being an avid lover of O’Farrell, I definitely feel the UK cover matches the theme of her other novels. Whereas the US cover just feels a bit flat and the line ‘A Novel of the Plague’ annoys me as this novel is about so much more than just ‘the plague’.
C: Even though it is a portrait, I don’t like people on my book covers. Plus, the UK cover looks classy and elegant.
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
M: Although the US cover is very pretty I just think that the UK one is far more appealing to the eye.
C: I like the US cover, it’s very pretty and I’m a little bit of a fan of florals, but the UK cover just pops. The oranges are such a good contrast to the minty background.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
M: For me, the UK cover embodies what comes to mind when thinking of Auschwitz. Whereas, the US cover could be used for any genre if you change the title.
C: I think the US cover has a very pretty background gradient, however, the blue and white stripes of the UK cover are always associated with Auschwitz and the horrors that happened there (probably due to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas).
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
M: I just love how simple the UK version is compared to the US one.
C: Quite simply, the UK cover looks less intimidating than the US cover. Also, I like the style of the drawings.
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
M: If I am honest I don’t really like either of these covers but if I had to choose it would probably be the UK version as I think it potentially encapsulates the story better. The red poppies are a nod to it being set in WW1.
C: This is actually a hard decision. On the US cover, I like the way the words come out of the suitcase and the multiple things in the suitcase which must relate to the story. However, the UK cover is easily dated as a book set in the First World War due to the multiple poppies. I think the cleanliness of the UK cover is what makes it the better for me.
The Haunting Season by Various Authors
M: These two covers feel like they could be for completely different books. If on the shelf I would definitely be more drawn to the UK cover.
C: These covers give off very different vibes. The US cover is wintery and cold whereas the UK cover makes me think of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and cosy ghost stories. The UK cover is a vibe I like better than cold and icy.
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
M: Although I think the UK cover is gorgeous, from what I have been told about this book the US cover makes more sense when it comes to the story being told.
C: Overall, I think the UK cover is just so much nicer looking. In regards to the story, the US cover makes more sense to me than the pretty mirrored pattern on the UK cover.
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
M: In all honesty, the US one epitomises the types of covers I tend to avoid when looking at books. Saying that I am not a massive fan of the UK one either but a least it has clear hints to where the book may be set.
C: Unlike the other covers, this one has a very obvious correct answer. The UK cover is just superior in all aspects: the colours are bolder, it has Saint Basil’s Cathedral on it and the title is very clean and clear.
