Gamache Goes Abroad – Still Life
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE finds our dear Inspector in France so there’s no better place to kick off our “Gamache Goes Abroad” cover musings than en français!
And, wow, the current U.S. cover treatment of Still Life couldn’t be any different from how our French colleagues handled the look of the book. While we opted for a subtle nod to the title — the art genre that dates back to the Egyptians — the French took a more severe route, depicting a key plot point (no spoilers, please!). It’s noteworthy that both covers feature framed imagery which could symbolize a window, or, entryway, into the series.
What do you think?
Which cover do you gravitate towards?
I prefer the English cover for its more muted style and I find it more in keeping with the subtlety of the book. The French version has a bit too much of a “Bambi” implication for me.
I am drawn to the US art work… All the wonderful covers were intriguing and subtly calling you to open and start the journey.
I find the original version much more tasteful and in keeping with the elegant style of writing.
I am drawn to the U.S. version. Imagining a creature as beautiful and gentle as a fawn as the cover of a murder mystery as in the French version is a bit too macabre for me.
I too like the U.S. cover best.
I prefer the North American version for its: balance, colour, intrigue.
I prefer the North American version for its: balance, colour, intrigue. The Gaelic version feels a little claustrophobic to me.
The American cover. But I bet if the French cover was put on ours when book came out we would have liked that one lol
I like the original version
I definitely prefer the American version. It speaks to me as an artistic version of the title while the French cover seems too “strong” and penetrating. I love interesting book covers and tend to study them often while reading a book. I think they are fascinating.
Not one to like change… I have to stick with the U.S. cover. Gently brings us into the series. ‘Course! Then the darn vase shatters!!!
The American version seems less confrontational, but perhaps because the red color is so stark. The French is intriguing but the American version is much more attractive, I think.
I’m not sure why or where everyone is coming from when they vote for the “US” version.
She’s Canadian you know.
If doesn’t offend her, it sure offends me. The gall to assume that if it’s in English, it’s surely American.
I’m Canadian.
Just because of the audacity shown here, I’ll vite pour la langue Français.
We spoke both French and English where I come from and we’re damned proud of it.
Pardon..”vote”.
Bravo, Carole-Ann. Louise Penny is one of a long and illustrious line of Canadian artists (film, music, TV, etc., etc., etc.) who have made their mark in the world and are usually considered to be “American” in the sense of supposedly having been born and having grown up in the States. The list is long and still growing.
I prefer the blue cover (Or English version)
Is there a Canadian version?