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From: bobm@rtech.UUCP (Bob Mcqueer)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Cover Artwork in general (really back-cover blurbs)
Message-ID: <420@rtech.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-May-85 16:47:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: rtech.420
Posted: Tue May 21 16:47:03 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 24-May-85 20:46:20 EDT
References: <2002@topaz.ARPA>
Organization: Relational Technology, Alameda CA
Lines: 31

> 
>    And finally, a departing flame:  Cover art can be said to be worthwhile
> even if it doesn't concern the book, but can the same be said for back-
> cover blurbs that badly distort the plot/theme/tone of a novel?
> 

... OR give away the ending, if they even come close to saying anything
realistic about the novel.  I can agree with this particular gripe completely.
Of the SF books I've read recently, I'd estimate about 50-70% of the cover art
to fit a reasonable visualization of the book (not always in agreement with
MINE, but reasonable).  However, the blurbs always seem to be missing the
major point, turning every novel into a scenario for a bad movie, revealing
what's going to happen, or some mixture of all of the above together with
various and sundry other critical sins.  Even literate, intelligent work has
to be adorned by the publisher with the sort of hype that together with TV and
movie promotional drivel provides employement for the modern day equivalent
of a carnival barker.  If a worthwile comment somehow DOES find its way to
the back cover, it is usually seriously out of context.  What's REALLY
annoying is that I seem to be unable NOT to read the back of a book while
I'm considering buying it.  I would like to be able to use the back cover
notes to determine if a paperback might appeal to me before plunking down
my $3.95 + tax, rather than having to rely solely on familiarity with the author
or on criticism gathered elsewhere.

Next flame: those silly, oversized, overpriced "TRADE" paper editions!

Back to scanning this group for pointers to interesting novels, since I
can't tell by the cover [art | blurbs].

Bob McQueer
ihnp4!amdahl!rtech!bobm