Students always seem interested in the look of foreign editions. For all the years we lived on boarding school campuses in England, Switzerland, and New Jersey, students could come to our house and see these editions spread out. They liked to choose their favorite covers and try to read the titles and my name in all the different languages. Since there were international students in all these schools, often students would find translations in their own languages.
Above and below are most of the translations of The Wanderer. In the photo above, the top book is from France. Second row, left to right: Italy, Germany, Taiwan. Bottom row: Slovakia, Latvia, Spain.
In this second picture directly above, the translations are (top, from L to R): Thailand, Netherlands, Germany; (bottom L to R) = China, Russia, Spain (Castilian), Korea.
I may have a few of these wrong. Feel free to correct me.
Below are the American (at left) and British (at right) editions:
I'm not sure if you can see the covers clearly enough (click to enlarge all photos) to choose a favorite, but if you have one, I'd love to hear what it is.
The English one of course ;-)
ReplyDeleteNone of these speak to me the way that David Diaz's gorgeous original does. In my heart his image(s) and your words are inextricably linked. I'm almost never happy when a publisher chooses to use a photographic image of one of the characters on a cover. I much prefer the face that the author's words conjure for me as I read.
ReplyDeleteAnd which is your favorite?
ReplyDeletebrattcat: I agree w/Susan above--David Diaz's American cover is my favorite jacket. But I also esp. love the Italian title: La Vagabonda.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find interesting in looking at Peter's translated books is that the names of the characters are sometimes changed. It's a very interesting thing I never knew before. I wonder why they change them?
ReplyDeleteThe original English version of your book is really beautiful.
I like the British version. The girl has such a look of determination about her. Cover art is always such an attention getter for me when perusing books.
ReplyDeleteThat's the American edition of The Wanderer I have. I like seeing foreign editions, too. It's amazing how different the covers are from country to country!
ReplyDeleteNeat collection of books there. I like the last two covers.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. I think I like best the last one!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough I was strolling through the old city in Zürich just the other day when I saw a German translation of The Wanderer on sale outside the Antiquarian Bookshop Zahringer on the Froschauergasse.
ReplyDeleteSharon, my favorite is the U.S. cover. I read it when I was in the 4th grade and since it has been my favorite book. The cover always reminds me of my excitement to pull the book out of my tote tray for reading time. I am studying all of your works, and was wondering if you could share the inspiration behind writing The Wanderer? What compelled you to write it? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteShantel Eliz.: That Q is answered on my website: http://www.sharoncreech.com
ReplyDeletexx SC