Foreign language editions of my books are always fun to receive. There's something quite trippy about seeing a book so familiar to me changed into one that is filled with words I can't read. It's like it came from an alternate universe, written by that universe's version of me. But no, it merely came from a mysterious land on the other side of this world. A place I'd love to visit one day.
Most of the foreign language edition publishers have used or recycled the same artwork my UK publishers produced, which is a huge compliment to the artist and designer. A few have created some very interesting interpretations - look closely at the Indonesian editions and you'll see some very familiar figures. This Polish edition is a very clean, uncluttered reuse of the artwork. But what delighted me most was that they've also produced them as a box set. Unfortunately the box of the set that arrived the other day is damaged, but I'll tape it back together and put it on my bookshelf anyway.
Because there's something about a bit of folded cardboard holding the books together that makes them extra special. I'm not quite sure why, but it always has for me. Does it for you?
