I came across these very unusual — to say the least — and minimalistic covers of the Chronicles on a deep internet search. I don’t recall having seen them anywhere before in all the years I’ve been doing the Summer of Narnia.
It’s sophisticated design, yet simple, in keeping with the Japanese aesthetic. I think they look like friendlier versions of the artwork of Joan Miro. The publisher is Kobunsha Classics. This house has also translated and reprinted English classics like Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Frankenstein with the same style of artwork, as well as other classics by Japanese and foreign authors.
Take a look at that linework. It creates the illusion the drawings are made with one line, without the pen lifting from the paper. Certainly unique interpretation!
Left: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Right: Prince Caspian.
Aslan seems to be embracing the lone child on the LWW while smiling gently. It’s the essence of the book. On the right, we have an armed warrior and some clownish, alien-looking Telmarines. They look like scribbled wall art from some ancient civilization, in keeping with the theme of the Telmarines being just that. Their silliness also suggests also they aren’t to be taken too seriously by the reader.
Left: The Magician’s Nephew; Right: The Last Battle
The MN cover certainly suggests a winged horse with feminine and masculine riders. The LB one leaves me puzzled though. It suggests conflict and pushback against man and beast, but I’m not sure it captured the theme.
Left: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; Right: The Horse and His Boy
For VODT, the artist chose a scene from the last part of the book, one of the naked Sea People cavorting on a a giant seahorse. This is the first time I’ve seen that element depicted solely on a VODT cover. The HHB cover meanwhile, suggests the close bond and Bree and Shasta with repeating circles.
