This week, we saw two alternate versions of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451 pop up on the Internet: one meant to be burned, and one meant to withstand burning at all costs. Though the cover we all grew up with is undeniably great, we thought these ones raised the conceptual bar a little bit, which makes us feel better after that horrible, insulting cover of The Bell Jar that’s been making the rounds. After the jump, check out ten redesigns of classic book jackets that are better, or at least more interesting, than the originals.
The burnable Fahrenheit 451, designed by Elizabeth Perez.
Nineteen-Eighty Four, designed by David Pearson.
Runner up for our favorite Nineteen-Eighty Four is this weird one, designed by Ben Jones.
The quotable Catch-22, designed by Ian Caulkett.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, designed by AJ Hateley, winner of the 2012 Penguin Design Award.
Another contestant for the same award, designed by Mina Bach.
Of Jillian Tamaki’s embroidered book covers series, we think Black Beauty is the best.
Kathryn Macnaughton’s take on East of Eden. Find her designs for Steinbeck’s entire backlist here.
Lord of the Flies, designed by Sam Weber.
This is a classic book with a much-redesigned cover. Peter Mendelsund’s weird, restrained take is the best.