The UK publishing powerhouse, Faber &Faber, is re-issuing several titles from Amos Tutuola’s repertoire and these are the covers they dreamt up. This lazy graphic art that looks like generic Photoshop patterns.
Tutuola’s work deserves much better. His first novel, The Palmwine Drinkard, was published by Faber & Faber way back in 1952. It was an instant international hit, with an American edition released the following year and Tutuola getting a mention in Vogue magazine. After 50 years of being in circulation, the novel deserves a far more creative cover art.
The continent is swarming with artists doing amazing work—from painting, to illustrating, to animation. Tell me, what stops Faber & Faber from commissioning some like Laolu Senbanjo of Afromysterics, Wangechi Mutu, Victor Ehikhamenon, Pieter Hugo, or Ralph Ziman to do the covers?
It’s cool that Faber & Faber is doing a reissue of all these titles. But why aren’t they making the extra financial and creative investment needed for a stunningly beautiful cover?
Tutuola is a fantasist and his work is pure genius. Can you imagine what art inspired by his work would look like?
Phil August 03, 2014 19:27
I see what you mean but I saw these books in person for the first time today and they are STUNNING. They're incredibly bright and vibrant which doesn't come across in the flat image at all. The Bookseller said they'd been going really well especially from people who didn't know anything about Tutuola but were attracted by the cover. This bookshop hadn't been persuaded to do a display on them either, but had done so on the strength of the design. Take your point, but see them in person before you judge!