Scientific theory holds that uniformity of the human face equates to beauty. In a series of tests done during the 90’s, respondents revealed that those faces that rated highest in attractiveness were not dissimilar to the inkblot test – fold the picture in half and the sides match perfectly. Beyond the lab, personality, character traits and shared values are rated as the elements that forge lasting interest. It’s not much different in the world of book covers. When I first saw the cover for The Bark Cutters my initial thoughts were, ‘Well no-one will miss this even with the sun in their eyes and a dust storm approaching’, my secondary thought, ‘McCloud’s Daughter’s’. Having now seen the title in bookstores I appreciate that the cover is visually striking and definately stands out in the crowd. It is skewed towards the contemporary section of the novel (half the book is set during the mid 1800’s) which was of concern to me initially, however I can definately say the cover has personality. The book is about the conflicting allure of rural heritage, so the cover also speaks of shared values to a prospective reader interested in the work’s subject matter. As for character traits, one must depend on the relationship a reader establishes with the characters within the work, and depending on the subject matter, what level they can relate to them. A book cover should obviously represent the work faithfully, however it is also the primary selling tool. A reader has to be drawn to a work before picking it up and turning it over to read the blurb on the back. While you certainly can’t judge books by their covers, a good one sure helps it sell!