sigh.

[eruthros]

So, I just got back from a marvelous two days of lounging in hot springs and reading novels -- two of my favorite things!

And I found this on my flist:



Guys, that is the new cover of Emma Bull's Bone Dance for it's re-release this year. I'm thrilled about the re-release; I have two copies of the old version, at least, because I pick it up at used bookstores whenever I find it. (It's hard when the only way you can get someone to read one of your favorite books is to give them your copy.) And I love this book times about a million, so I want everyone to read it. ETA: BUT see what I wrote here for reasons to read it from a library or used bookstore instead of buying it.

But. But but but. This is the old cover:



And one of the things you may notice? Even on that bleached-out cover? Is that Sparrow is not white. And in case people miss it on the cover, Emma Bull points it out in the text. SPARROW. IS NOT WHITE.

Everyone over on Emma Bull's post, including Emma Bull, is all "yay!" -- which I'm sure you have to be, because, well, re-issue, and Emma Bull's post -- but I am more than a little distraught.

Comments

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

I am 99% sure you lent this to me at one time because I can't imagine I would forget the soul-searing but ultimately ethnically diverse former cover. :D Is this the one about the prince who dies a few times and becomes a pilot?

Disregarding the whiteness (which, okay, is tough to disregard) the new cover is pretty awesome though, right?

[eruthros]

Different Emma Bull book with a similar cover -- the one you remember is Falcon. (Not as good.)

Disregarding race issues, I personally don't like the new cover, because I think it's in a completely different genre than the book. I wonder if the artist even read it. Sigh!

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Bone Dance: Added to reading list!

Yeah, the cover is pretty on its own but if it's totally irrelevant to the book then it loses most of its awesome. I loathe it when the art doesn't apply to the book -- I don't expect artists to read every book they illo for, but someone in the art-approval chain of command definitely should.

[eruthros]

Well, it could be kind of like the text, kind of? The genre's wrong, but Sparrow's supposed to be good with technology, so those are probably, like, fiber-optic cables? And part of the book happens in what Emma Bull calls the hall of crystals ... but because it's post-apocalyptic, that just means a broken first floor of a fancy high-rise with lots of glass. So.

[eruthros]

Wait wait: see what I wrote here for reasons not to buy the book.

[copperbadge.livejournal.com]

Ooooer. Well. So maybe not buy the book, perhaps I'll get it from the library or swaptree or something.