Cover Stories: Unveiling the Best Book Covers of the Century

Take a visual journey through the most stunning book covers of the century in this collection of breathtaking designs and illustrations.

Books are not only portals to other worlds. they can also be visual masterpieces. These covers are a testament to the power of the artistry that enhances our reading experience within every publication.

1. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Cover by Francis Cugat, 1925):

Cugat's surreal and enigmatic cover perfectly mirrors the decadence and intrigue within Fitzgerald's classic. Although, Francis did not read a copy of The Great Gatsby prior to creating this piece, he was told the general premise and given the working title. And yet, it has undoubtedly surpassed the test of time, being one of the most famous novel covers of all time.

2. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger (Cover by E. Michael Mitchell, 1951):

Mitchell's cover, featuring a red carousel horse and a distant city skyline, captures the teenage angst and yearning for escape that defines Holden Caulfield's journey. The minimal use of colors helps us differentiate the main figure that is not only physically distant from the city backdrop but also seems to have come from a distant time, as well.

As a side note an original 1st Edition in very good condition runs from $6,000 to $10,000, and up to $25,000.

3. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (Cover by Joseph Anthony Mugnaini, 1962):

Mugnaini's cover, with its intricate tree motif, beautifully reflects the themes of growth, justice, and morality embedded in Lee's iconic novel. The concrete symbolic style is reminiscent to that of René Magritte's.

“The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.”

- "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

4. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez (Cover by Tomás Sánchez, 1970):

The dreamlike landscape, perfectly complements García Márquez's magical realism, inviting readers into the ethereal village of Macondo. As the readers of the novel will know, this cover sets the exuberantly ironic and flourishing drama that unravels within its pages, perfectly.

“He really had been through death, but he had returned because he could not bear the solitude.”

- "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez

5. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams (Cover by Rod Lord, 1979):

Lord's vibrant and whimsical cover captures the humor in the uneven typography and it encapsulates the intergalactic adventure that defines Adams' science fiction classic in the colorful and hectic backdrop.

Here is a sample of the humor that awaits you passed the cover art:

“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”

― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

6. "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin (Cover by Jim Burns, 1996):

Burns' intricate and regal cover introduces readers to the complex world of Westeros, setting the stage for the epic fantasy that unfolds within Martin's series. This first edition cover doesn't only take us back to the magical Middle Ages but also to the more recent and vibrant 90s aesthetic.

7. "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold (Cover by Gabriele Wilson, 2002):

Wilson's delicate cover, featuring a graceful snow globe, encapsulates the poignant and otherworldly narrative of Sebold's novel, exploring life after death. The novel was later adapted into a film directed by Peter Jackson, and starring Saoirse Ronan in 2009. But Saoirse hasn't revoked Wilson's work showcasing her face on later edition's jackets. A testament to the original cover's lasting impression.

8. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak (Cover by Colin Anderson, 2005):

Anderson's minimalist and evocative cover, featuring the silhouette of Liesel Meminger and Death's narration, sets the tone for Zusak's powerful tale set during World War II. "The Book Thief" was first published in 2006, and it became an instant international bestseller. Zusak's novel has been translated into 63 languages and sold 17 million copies since the first edition. Colin made a good move not showing a swastika on the book cover, so that the potential reader didn't know the setting of the novel right away.

9. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson (Cover by Peter Mendelsund, 2005):

Mendelsund's sleek and mysterious cover, featuring a dragon and a woman's figure, perfectly captures the intrigue and suspense within Larsson's gripping psychological thriller. This cover design entices the potential reader to figure out who this mysterious "girl with the dragon tattoo" could be.

10. "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern (Cover by Helen Musselwhite, 2011):

Musselwhite's enchanting paper-cut artwork on the cover art mirrors the magical and immersive experience that awaits readers within Morgenstern's novel. Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story revolves around a magical competition between two magicians.

The three-color design also reminds us of Sin City's comic aesthetic, giving special focus to the red scarf placed in between the two main figures, representing the tension that develops between the two throughout the novel.

The Art in Cover Art

These remarkable book covers are not just artistic embellishments but integral components of the literary works they represent. As we celebrate the best book covers of the century, let's acknowledge the talented artists and designers who have brought stories to life before we even turn the first page.

Your instincts are right! Judge these books by their covers and they will lead you a marvelous path of exhilarating adventures and nail-biting mysteries you can't miss out on!

Additionally, if you are looking for some more examples and a brief history of editorial design you are in the right place:

- Join our Domestika courses

- Editorial design Examples An article by Lauren du Plessis

- A Brief History of Book Covers An article by Alessandra Cesarato