OK I admit I’m a sucker for a shiny cover, but not just because it’s shiny on this occasion. It’s more to do with having already fallen in love with Dan Funderburgh’s ‘fishy’ illustration on the cover of this novel, Legend of a Suicide by David Vann (Penguin), back in April when I first laid eyes on the cover for the uncorrected proof (I featured that one in a Daily Bookshot too.
The fishy on that cover was the same, only in black and white, but it was still impressive enough for its viewer to elicit a silent WOW! The fishy on the published edition of Legend of a Suicide however, is a whole different kettle of fish (hehe..pun intended). Here it is more the bookish equivalent of the rainbow trout, leaping out of the pulpy surf, in all of its foiled and embossed resplendent beauty. I love it! And rather than a silent WOW, the response on seeing this cover was more of an audible gasp 
The cover’s one thing, but it’s story that counts the most of course. And if Joe Pickering, Penguin publicist, is to be believed, the Legend of Suicide is set to become a ‘classic of American fiction’. He really does love it that much. The cover blurb too sets up the promise that Vann’s novel is something more than special (mild spoilers ahead):
Roy is still young when his father, a failed dentist and hapless fisherman, puts a .44 magnum to his head and kills himself on the deck of his beloved boat. Throughout his life, Roy returns to the moment, gripped by its memory and the shadow it casts over his small-town boyhood, describing with poignant, mercurial wit his parent’s woeful marriage and inevitable divorce, their kindness and weaknesses, and the absurd and comic turning points of his past. Finally in Legend of a Suicide, Roy lays his father’s ghost to rest. But not before he exacts a gruelling, exhilarating revenge.
Revolving around a fatally misconceived adventure deep in the wilderness of Alaska, this is a remarkably tender story of loss, survival and disillusioned love.
That’s the cover blurb. Hooked? Then you may like to know that Legend of a Suicide is out in the UK on 29th October (it has already been published in the US by Univ. of Massachusetts Press) . I’ve got my review post scheduled for around about that time. So if you’re waiting for the thumbs up from Rob on this one (or the thumbs down of course), then that would be the best time to pop back.
Penguin Books | 29 October 2009 | £7.99 | PAPERBACK | 240 PP | ISBN: 9780141043784
About Rob
says:
it is a nice cover rob just got my copy today
The cover’s lovely, isn’t it? I’m actually mid-way through reading my issue and really enjoying it.
says:
@Stu – I hope we enjoy it. And if Kim’s comment above is anything to go by, then we will.
You’re too much on the (reading) ball
@kimbofo – There’s never any chance of beating you to the hop is there?
Glad you like the cover, Rob. Quite a few people have but I’m surprised that no one’s noticed, or at least mentioned, the guns and bullet chamber incorporated into the centre of the design, marrying two of the prevalent themes of the book (nature and violence).
Also, we did an inverse version of the black & white proof, which you can see here (if I can work out how to post a link into a comment box):
http://twitpic.com/3w6kt
I hope my presence here isn’t construed as compromising Rob’s integrity as a blogger: I’m still expecting a harsh review if you don’t like the book. At least, I suppose, you’ll always like the cover.
Well, tch, Joe, the guns kinda go without saying! (Or they did…) That sort of clever incorporation is Funderburgh’s stock in trade, and anyone who likes the cover design is urged to visit his website and look at his lovely wallpapers.
http://www.danfunderburgh.com/wallpaper.php
Would this be a good time for me to repeat my pun “Funderburghs are Go!”?
says:
@Joe – Your glorious presence would never influence my review. Thank you for dropping by. I had seen the guns, but found them more noticeable on the black and white version for some reason. I’ve failed. I should have said something.
@John – I don’t think it’s ever a good time for such a bad pun John. Then again I’m just bitter for not having spotted it before you
. I bow to your observational brilliance Mr. Self.
@John – You’d be surprised how many people missed them! And not everyone does their homework as a thoroughly as you, Mr Self, and works out the cover artist’s signatures.
@Rob – The original plan for the proof covers was to have the guns in silver foil, which would have looked lovely, I think, but may have been pointing out the obvious (although, clearly, I’m a fan of that). However, it proved too expensive, something like an extra 50 pence a copy, which obviously really adds up. I’d have liked to do it but it probably would have ended up being the difference between him coming over from the States or not.
Woops. I missed the guns entirely!
says:
@Joe – I think you’re right. An extra 50p per cover would mount up. Besides the cover is just perfect as it is so you’ve saved yourself that extra cost.
@kimbofo – I’m sure you only missed the guns because you were so keen to get into the book
Warmest
Rob