a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Chicana by Debra Burroughs
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover? Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want to BUY the book? Discuss.
I get a definite Mexican vibe from this book, from both the title and the green, white, & red color scheme. I assume that, from the description and the title, that this is a feminist suspense of some kind. Over all, I really like the cover and its very weathered feel.
I have to add that, until I zoomed into the full version, I didn't even notice Mexican flag graphic in the center. It's rather obscured by the title and would probably get lost in a thumbnail.
I assumed this was literary. When I read the subtitle and saw "memoir" that made sense too. I think this cover works. The fonts are good, the colors strong and unified. The image of the flag and the face work to support the title and apparent theme of the book.
The only improvement, if it were possible, would be to have the eyes of the woman's face visible above the title, instead of her slightly odd (balding?) hairline, which is not as arresting as a human gaze. The eagle might also be better left off or moved so it is not covered up.
I like the colors and the black edging but I don't like the image. It's distracting that I can't see the face. But for some reason it's not interesting enough to make me want to figure it out. In thumbnail the the author's name is almost unreadable. I'd make the author's name more prominent.
And the title doesn't tell me anything about the story. Perhaps that's part of the problem. We're all focused on the graphics and the appearance of the cover, but we don't really talk about the title and how important that is. A good title can sell a book almost on its own.
I like this cover. I think it works. However, I have some suggestions that may (or may not) help:
I like the idea of the Mexican flag but as Tara already mentioned above, I'd also remove the eagle from the middle. The eagle is competing with her face right now. It's a little distracting.
I know, I know, without the eagle, it will become the Italian flag not the Mexican flag. But, if you stylize it so it's not a picture of the flag but instead, just the idea of it.
Maybe if you blur the edges of the tri-color stripes, it will look like a simple rendering of the Mexican colors. Then you won't need the eagle...
I'll go out on a limb and say that this is probably a memoir of Mexican immigrants to the US. If that is indeed the case, then I have yet another suggestion:
Why not superimpose both stylized flags over the woman's face? You can put the Mexican flag on top part, a big rip on the middle and the US flag on the bottom.
That would make it clear that this is a Mexican/American story and not just a Mexican story.
Good cover but either lose the eagle or move it up or down so that it's not in the face. I personally don't think that it's needed, the colors is enough.
I'm with everyone else who says to remove the eagle since it's competing with the woman's face. But it's a great cover for a Latina women's fiction/misery memoir.
I disagree that the title says nothing. I thought it was an evocative title. "Chicana" says quite clearly this is about a female struggling with ethnic identity in a certain time and place. And the tag line makes that perfectly clear.
The title "Chicana" tells me the story. The fact that it is a memoir by Debra Burroughs confused me. When I think 'Chicana', I don't think 'Burroughs.'
I would leave the Mexican flag intact and remove the face. To me, the image looks like two faces: one in the white field superimposed over another in the green and red fields.
I suppose the book is about the female Mexican-American experience. Therefore, I would add a US flag to the cover. Otherwise, it's just a Mexican book.
I would move the author's name to the margin so that it does not draw attention from the title.
First impression; human trafficking. It's definitely a really great cover, and would be surprised if it was Indie. If so, then kudos to the artist who made that work of beauty!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI get a definite Mexican vibe from this book, from both the title and the green, white, & red color scheme. I assume that, from the description and the title, that this is a feminist suspense of some kind. Over all, I really like the cover and its very weathered feel.
ReplyDeleteI have to add that, until I zoomed into the full version, I didn't even notice Mexican flag graphic in the center. It's rather obscured by the title and would probably get lost in a thumbnail.
I assumed this was literary. When I read the subtitle and saw "memoir" that made sense too. I think this cover works. The fonts are good, the colors strong and unified. The image of the flag and the face work to support the title and apparent theme of the book.
ReplyDeleteThe only improvement, if it were possible, would be to have the eyes of the woman's face visible above the title, instead of her slightly odd (balding?) hairline, which is not as arresting as a human gaze. The eagle might also be better left off or moved so it is not covered up.
I like the colors and the black edging but I don't like the image. It's distracting that I can't see the face. But for some reason it's not interesting enough to make me want to figure it out. In thumbnail the the author's name is almost unreadable. I'd make the author's name more prominent.
ReplyDeleteAnd the title doesn't tell me anything about the story. Perhaps that's part of the problem. We're all focused on the graphics and the appearance of the cover, but we don't really talk about the title and how important that is. A good title can sell a book almost on its own.
I like this cover. I think it works. However, I have some suggestions that may (or may not) help:
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Mexican flag but as Tara already mentioned above, I'd also remove the eagle from the middle. The eagle is competing with her face right now. It's a little distracting.
I know, I know, without the eagle, it will become the Italian flag not the Mexican flag. But, if you stylize it so it's not a picture of the flag but instead, just the idea of it.
Maybe if you blur the edges of the tri-color stripes, it will look like a simple rendering of the Mexican colors. Then you won't need the eagle...
I'll go out on a limb and say that this is probably a memoir of Mexican immigrants to the US. If that is indeed the case, then I have yet another suggestion:
Why not superimpose both stylized flags over the woman's face? You can put the Mexican flag on top part, a big rip on the middle and the US flag on the bottom.
That would make it clear that this is a Mexican/American story and not just a Mexican story.
Just my .02 centavos.
Good cover but either lose the eagle or move it up or down so that it's not in the face. I personally don't think that it's needed, the colors is enough.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else who says to remove the eagle since it's competing with the woman's face. But it's a great cover for a Latina women's fiction/misery memoir.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that the title says nothing. I thought it was an evocative title.
ReplyDelete"Chicana" says quite clearly this is about a female struggling with ethnic identity in a certain time and place. And the tag line makes that perfectly clear.
I agree, Tara. I like the title, and I like the cover. I agree with some of the others that the eagle should go, but overall the image works for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with SJ and Tara. The title immediately tells me exactly what the book is about. I don't think it could be any clearer, actually.
ReplyDeleteThe title "Chicana" tells me the story. The fact that it is a memoir by Debra Burroughs confused me. When I think 'Chicana', I don't think 'Burroughs.'
ReplyDeleteI would leave the Mexican flag intact and remove the face. To me, the image looks like two faces: one in the white field superimposed over another in the green and red fields.
I suppose the book is about the female Mexican-American experience. Therefore, I would add a US flag to the cover. Otherwise, it's just a Mexican book.
I would move the author's name to the margin so that it does not draw attention from the title.
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I'll forward them to my cover designer and see how it comes out. I appreciate your help.
ReplyDeleteFirst impression; human trafficking. It's definitely a really great cover, and would be surprised if it was Indie. If so, then kudos to the artist who made that work of beauty!
ReplyDelete