The final cover art was not her first choice. C.W. Gortner himself did a mock up cover with the The Fisherman and the Syren. The first mock up of the book was taken to the London Book Fair with The Fisherman and the Syren and it was a big hit. It never made it to the final edition but I think both of them are to die for. Since I am one of the more risque people the nudity does not bother me on the Syren cover, I actually really like. What do you all think? Like or dislike? Reasons?
Painted by Frederic Leighton from 1856-1858
I LOVE it! I don't mind the nudity at all (besides, you girls know of my love of porn...heehee). Totally kidding for those of you that don't know me!
ReplyDeleteHer hair is rockin and the painting just exudes passion and intensity. It's really beautiful.
Thanks for the background info! Cover art always intrigues me!
I don't mind it but I can see why something else was probably chosen. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there that WOULD have a problem with a cover like that.
ReplyDeleteI think that cover is gorgeous. I think the current cover is beautiful too, but I like how this one is a little edgy!
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me- I love it! It's in absolute good taste and right in with the art of the period. It's gorgeous. Thank you so much for this post Lizzy:)
ReplyDeleteI think the Syren cover is amazingly sexy; but on the chance that the publisher wanted the book to be picked up by a crossover YA audience (since Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is often first introduced to middle schoolers) I can see how that rather erotic cover might have been a bit over the top for them.
ReplyDeleteIt also really screams SEX, rather than LOVE or PASSION, and if you're telling the story of Romeo and Juliet I think you want to give the impression that the story goes deeper than unbridled lust (even though Shakespeare's timeline -- not Robin's -- doesn't allow for much beyond unbridled lust.)
I do agree with Leslie... although a beautiful artwork, I would not like to be carrying that around at my office with a bunch of guys. The roses cover that was chosen doesn't raise a lot of eyebrows. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tidbit Lizzy!
I love it! I like to shock so I would carry it around proudly =O) That being said, the current cover is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that cover! It's so sexy! I would have picked it up in a heartbeat if I had seen it on a bookstore shelf. I don't know much about this book, but if it had that cover I would expect the book to be as scorchingly romantic and passionate as the cover!
ReplyDeleteOMG Amy you are too funny closet porn freak, yeah right. I like it becasue the painting is so passionate, it is like she just wants to pull him into the ocean with her and never let him go.
ReplyDeleteRobin it is a bit risky and I do see your point. Who know if it had been published like that then they might have been like the magazines where they cover it but leave the text showing because it is risky.
I am getting same feelings from everyone that I felt about the cover. I love them both but can see why the publishers went with the other one. Nudity in my book is not a big deal but for other is it a REALLY big deal. I guess I am still a bit rebellious of how I was brought up, aka Mormon, I know I can just hear the gasps now.
Leslie very good point I had not thought about the YA factor. I can very well see what you mean that it can be an issue in certain situations.
Marie scary idea the guys would have never left you alone if they had seen that cover. You would be teased I can see it now "Marie the lusty reader".
Michelle I too always enjoy a good shock factor. I like both of them but a big point is that some mainstream stores might have refused to sell it just based off of the cover. Which I think is completely stupid.
Lady Q, all is what I can say is the book is VERY passionate. Robin has such a way of conveying sexuality with out being crude. I can not do crude, it is just too much for me.