Jhumpa Lahiri

How do you clothe a book? In this deeply personal reflection, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri explores the art of the book jacket from the perspectives of both reader and writer. Probing the complex relationships between text and image, author and designer, and art and commerce, Lahiri delves into the role of the uniform; explains what book jackets and design have come to mean to her; and how, sometimes, "the covers become a part of me."

The Clothing of Books

A reflection on the art of book jackets. It’s very meta. I do like the cover on this one.

I loved the sentiment of reading a specific version, then seeing the book printed with another and that somehow feeling foreign—like the text wouldn’t be the same within.

I was surprised to hear how disconnected authors are from the creation of their covers. Having a cover for a book not match the author’s vision  is probably common. That’s depressing.

I noted down a lot of artists mentioned, and really enjoy the covers they have illustrated.

I will definitely be looking at the covers of books I read in different languages going forward, since I didn’t realize that they make different art for different regions.

Also, will be arranging my favorite covers facing outward on my shelf.

I wonder how this translates to other mediums like video games and movies.

Jevin Sidhu

A reflection on the art of book jackets. It’s very meta. I do like the cover on this one.

I loved the sentiment of reading a specific version, then seeing the book printed with another and that somehow feeling foreign—like the text wouldn’t be the same within.

I was surprised to hear how disconnected authors are from the creation of their covers. Having a cover for a book not match the author’s vision  is probably common. That’s depressing.

I noted down a lot of artists mentioned, and really enjoy the covers they have illustrated.

I will definitely be looking at the covers of books I read in different languages going forward, since I didn’t realize that they make different art for different regions.

Also, will be arranging my favorite covers facing outward on my shelf.

I wonder how this translates to other mediums like video games and movies.

Melissa Palmer

Book #7 Read in 2017
The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri

This was a short, quick read. The author describes the role of cover art in the world of reading. Authors are not really involved in creating the cover art for their books but they have very powerful reactions to the cover art that is chosen. It was an interesting perspective. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Shreerag Plakazhi

Do I have anything but love for Jhumpa? No. Is this book excellent? But of course.

Neeti Choudhari

I certainly liked reading this tiny book and marvel at the way the author has described the importance of book jackets. The book itself has a magnificent jacket.

Udit Desai

Shohini Gupta

How do you clothe a book? In this deeply personal reflection, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jhumpa Lahiri explores the art of the book jacket from the perspectives of both reader and writer. Probing the complex relationships between text and image, author and designer, and art and commerce, Lahiri delves into the role of the uniform; explains what book jackets and design have come to mean to her; and how, sometimes, “the covers become a part of me.”

Shreyaa

Meniah

Emma Bose

Ahana

Jerilynn Hallett 

How do you clothe a book?In this deeply personal reflection, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri explores the art of the book jacket from the perspectives of both reader and writer. Probing the complex relationships between text and image, author and designer, and art and commerce, Lahiri delves into the role of the uniform; explains what book jackets and design have come to mean to her; and how, sometimes, "the covers become a part of me."

The Clothing of Books

Reviews