Impossible

 

I adore this cover. When it arrived, I could not stop looking at it. The Penguin designers had outdone themselves, I thought. Wow.

 

I loved the original hardcover image so much that I never imagined Penguin would want to change it for the paperback. But they did, coming up with this cousin image that is more photographic, and has warmer, more vibrant colors. At first it was hard for me to let go of the beloved hardcover design, but now I love the paperback image even more. I can see that the hardcover image is slightly cold, whereas the paperback cover
makes Impossible look like what I hope it is: a delicious bon-bon of a book, the kind you would want to curl up with and read on a rainy day when you're snug indoors.

Now, you may wonder about those mountains in the background. What's Lucy doing in the snowy Alps (and without a coat?) Never you mind about such trifles. A cover is supposed to evoke emotion and make you want to pick up the book. Compare to the image of Meryl Streep in The French Lieutenant's Woman, at left.