Bura Bari Nwilo’s new book is colorful, and that may be the reason we are so much interested in looking at what really is on the cover of this colorful book, and even when it has the word – ‘color’ in the title.
We just unboxed from Griots Lounge and the bookish smell alone dragged us into doing a cover analysis. THE COLOR OF A THING BELIEVED is one of those books you can spend your money on just because of the gleam from the cover design.
As usual, see our judgement, because, here, we like to judge a book by its cover.
1. Cover feel and texture: Matte, smooth, a little glossy.
2. Text design : The fonting looks intentional as it depicts a level of artistry, especially, color art. There is also the great idea of stylishly presenting the text in assorted fonts.
3. Art: The Cover has an art base. There is a flow of dry black and white grasses at the top, and a painter’s brush dipped in yellow color that started the title text. To some extent, the cover art may not be well defined.
4. Layout balance: Balancing is average. Title text is in line and in order. The Publisher’s logo is placed well. The blurb at the top left corner however, looks hanging like it wasn’t supposed to be there.
5. Color Combination: The dominant cover colors are yellow, red, and light blue.
6. Weather resilience: The book can resist dusty elements. It may not absorb water or moist as it is a glossy feel.
7. Ease of ownership and carriage: Not heavy. Not light weight. In the middle.
8. Page figures : 156
9. Structure Strength: It has no spine, but was set in
10.Blurb : The major front cover blurbing was made by author E. C Osondu whose THIS HOUSE IS NOT FOR SALE was one of our best covers at the time it was out. His blurb on Bura Bari Nwilo’s book was :
“‘Nwilo is a vibrant new voice in Nigerian Literature. Listen to him.”
11.Imaginary power : The cover design entirely has little or no imaginary ability. It may tell you little or nothing about the book. Notwithstanding, we can imagine a colored story, a string of different stories of different colors and lives.
Shortest Excerpt from THE COLOR OF A THING BELIEVED.
Saaté returns home at 5:15 AM if there is a traffic jam on the tumultuous Aba Road. At home, he makes food or warms whatever he had kept in the refrigerator all week. Or when he is lucky, his landlady brings a steamy plate of rice and fresh fish pepper soup for dinner. She does not do it regularly. Sometimes it happens once a week. And the days too are not fixed. It could come on a Monday, a Saturday, but never on a Sunday. Her husband is always home on Sundays. And church service too does not allow for such luxury.
Praise for THE COLOR OF A THING BELIEVED.
The Colour of a Thing Believed is an engaging collection of stories that depicts the basic human condition with sensual encounters, splashes of humour, and candidness. It explores the dynamics of relationships – between siblings, and between lovers, and between friends – told with evocative language that bring the everyday settings to life. Featuring themes of love, loss, and the struggle for survival. The Colour of a Thing Believed is a beautifully written collection.
Kaine Agary – Winner, Nigeria Prize for Literature
One Response
beautiful review…wow