The Clothing of Books: An Essay

This small book, taken from a speech, expresses the love-hate relationship between an author and the book cover designed by a traditional publisher. The author has very little say in how the cover looks. Remember all those headless women on books covers not so long ago?She also talks about the dust jacket. I can't remember the last time I bought a book, even a hardcover book, with a dust jacket. These days, almost all my books are for Kindle, and their covers are seen when I buy the book and the forgotten once I download it. If the price for an ebook is too expensive due to the publisher's desire to discourage people from buying the ebook, I look for a used paperback copy or get it from the library.The one exception to this is a book with a cover by Kinuko Craft. I love her art work so much, I have several books with her covers. They don't have dust jackets, though.She reflects back on a time when dust jackets and covers mattered, mentioning the books of Hogarth Press and the art work by Vanessa Bell for her sister Virginia Woolf's books. A personal relationship with the author and the artist to produce a cover that is inspired by the book's contents is unusual. Today a traditionally published book's cover is done by in-house artists who may or may not have read the book or even know what it is about. Of course, an author may object to a cover and depending on sales, the publisher may listen to them. Only an independently published author has the luxury of a personal relationship with the cover artist.Although dated, this small book is an interesting reflection on a time when book covers were an integral part of the book.

Those who like Lahiri's work will appreciate this insider's look at book design and publishing as it pertains to her work. As is true with her other published pieces, this book is a truly beautiful piece of writing.

Lahiri is a wonderful writer. In this diminutive book, she recounts her trials with book design and why they are so important to a writer. YES!

I'm following with interest the transformation of Jhumpa Lahiri into an Italian author. It is not only the change of language, it is her change into a totally different writer, focused on a totally different universe. It used to be the universe of Indian migrants, on the first or second generation, their ways between two worlds. It is now the universe of acquiring a new language, of struggling with words and sentences: two personnages from now on - the author herself and the Italian language.

Very anxioisly await anying by this author but this was just an essay, a tease, although the topic is interesting, book jackets as metaphors for clothing, I want, , no, need more substance from Ms Lahiri, the sip was refreshing but I''m still thirsting, please release something again soon!

Curious and interesting to read the perspective from an author. Book covers are interesting and this essay sheds some light on them.

Yes, you can judge a book by Jhumpa Lahiri's writing, which is always fascinating and superb!

Interesting perspective of an author on her own books, and the overall impact of a cover (be it of books or of people) on others.

Beautiful and very informative pocket size book.It could be of help to many Authors who are at the beginning of their journey, as well as to those who have book, two or more published.I found this book in my employer's masive library, read few pages and ordered a copy for myself.Highly recommended read.

Entirely unnecessary but perfectly delicious essay about book covers from an insider's perspective. at this point, I would probably read Ms. Lahiri's shopping list (in Italian, lots of smoky cheeses, perhaps some new type of muesli), but this contained enough identifiable moments for any book nerd.

Jhumpa Lahirri can write about anything and make it interesing. Few have her way with words from fiction to non fiction.

Interpretation. Assumption. If there are words that frighten me, it would be these two words.Why?Because they carry the weight of a judgement, one that can make or break a dream, years of labour put into a hobby or work. Only because the world feels like a comfortable space only when it runs on the track of “to each their own”.This tiny little book titled- The Clothing of Books, puts my nascent thoughts into a matured set of words. The seamstress of words; Jhumpa Lahiri writes about her fears and apprehensions about book covers and her relationships with them, defining her work.She pens her fears; of readers judging the book by its cover. Deriving meaning even before perusing. One gets to read about the impact of the cover on the promotion and sales of the book at different times and for different places. Lahiri expresses her concerns when book covers aren’t to her liking but are yet approved as they would attract readership.This interesting essay has made me feel closely connected to the author for it’s vulnerability, the expressed anxiety, disappointment and satisfaction while trying to achieve a vision. These emotions often arise from her insecurities of having a mixed origin of being an Indian in the United States, her growing up years, dress sense and many other factors that wouldn’t let her feel she “belonged” longing for a uniformity to end this struggle of being an outsider rather than being acknowledged for her uniqueness.I’ve loved everything about this breezy yet reflective essay, about book covers and the power they hold in making a book a success. It’s always such a pleasure to read Lahiri for passionately analysing and evaluating human frailties.Favourite quote:“The cover is superficial, negligible, irrelevant with respect to the book. The cover is an essential, vital component of the book. One must accept the fact that both these sentences are true.”

Lahiri Says, Dressing a book is an art, there’s no doubt. A published volume sits at the intersection of two forms of creative expression. Every book jacket implies the touch of an artist. And this pairing, this understanding between writer and artists, interests me greatly.I will be honest with you all. I buy books by looking at cover design and titles all the time. I mean, that’s like the first impression for me. I easily get fascinated by quirky covers and sometimes even plain covers interest me. Sure, some covers tell stories too. But other than this attraction and storytelling part, I never thought of anything else. The concept of the book cover is fascinating because all of us have different opinions about it. But what Jhumpa Lahiri discussed about book covers in her book ‘The clothing of books’ is just phenomenal and interesting. Coming all that from an author was like music to ears and of course some additions to my perspective.This is a 70 paged essay by Jhumpa Lahiri that one can complete in a go. This book starts with Lahiri’s judgment about school uniforms. She talked about how in America, the choice of wearing anything to the school tormented her. It made her feel different. She already felt that she did not belong there, because of her name, her looks, family and other aspects. She wanted to be like everyone else and yet unique in herself and uniform would have been the only solution. And in her opinion, most of her book jackets do not fit her well, and that’s why she thinks that the uniform can be the solution in case of books too. It is her opinion as a writer. But again, there’s a commercial value attached to cover rather than aesthetic. It helps books succeed in the market.This book nicely addresses Lahiri’s relationship with book covers as a writer ( mostly) and as a reader too. Lahiri feels that the book jacket is like a first visual interpretation of the book and plays a major role in sales promotion as well. Moving forward, she talks about how the right and wrong cover makes her feel. There are a lot more things discussed in this book like the concept of naked books, the analogy of translations and book covers, book jackets of her books, publishing process, the journey of a book cover etc.I found this book pretty interesting as this made me look at book covers with a whole new light.I recommend this book. It's a quick and interesting read.