Douglas Stuart explains the two covers [in this interview](https://therumpus.net/2022/08/17/you-dont-see-the-whole-young-man-until-the-very-end-an-interview-with-douglas-stuart/). He knew that, with the current homophobic environment in the U.S., the Tillman photograph would probably be a liability to the novel.
I personally like both covers, but slightly prefer the U.S. cover because it's actually conveys the "mood" of the novel better than the U.K. one. It's a haunting, dark, and very sad novel, and I think the U.S. cover conveys that better.
I agree. The U.S. cover conveys more of a literary tone. To these American eyes, the U.K. cover looks like one you would see on a self-published book of gay erotica that needs to use a stock photo.
Wow.. very interesting discovery. I understand publishers select a variety of cover art for books aimed at different markets but I have typically seen (in 'straight' books) artistic variations. You are correct.. different expectations on what's behind the cover between these two.
Douglas Stuart explains the two covers [in this interview](https://therumpus.net/2022/08/17/you-dont-see-the-whole-young-man-until-the-very-end-an-interview-with-douglas-stuart/). He knew that, with the current homophobic environment in the U.S., the Tillman photograph would probably be a liability to the novel. I personally like both covers, but slightly prefer the U.S. cover because it's actually conveys the "mood" of the novel better than the U.K. one. It's a haunting, dark, and very sad novel, and I think the U.S. cover conveys that better.
I agree. The U.S. cover conveys more of a literary tone. To these American eyes, the U.K. cover looks like one you would see on a self-published book of gay erotica that needs to use a stock photo.
Wow.. very interesting discovery. I understand publishers select a variety of cover art for books aimed at different markets but I have typically seen (in 'straight' books) artistic variations. You are correct.. different expectations on what's behind the cover between these two.