The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Orion Publishing Book Cover Competition. Description of my Idea Concept: From reading the book ‘The Reader’, it is the backdrop of Post-Holocaust Germany and addresses the legacy of guilt that the Holocaust Hanna has left behind. My interpretations of the story were it gives a cold secretive feel as Michael discovers the secrets Hanna has hidden from him through the years of their relationship. The themes I have noticed and considered from this story were history, friendship, care, love, passion, portrayal, hate, upset, crime, pain and shame. The story leads to the concludes of human beings taking towards accepting responsibility. From my knowledge and understanding, I have tried to create a new approach of design by generating a simplistic minimalism style with the idea of a narrative iconic scene of the two main characters as silhouettes sharing a passionate kiss. This is to create the meanings of reflections of their past and presents. The natural cool and dark colour schemes used within the design concept were chosen because, it would symbolise to the reader the time it was set (Berlin, Germany 1930’s). The serif typeface selection approach I picked, gives an authentic and vintage feel towards the design to mark its 20th Anniversary Special and the time the story was set. One of the key elements in the design I have used is the indication of a tape cassette illustration telling the words “Unlock the mystery.” This communicates the story and the message as a whole for people to read the book to find out Hanna’s secrets. Overall, I have created an eye-catching, fresh book cover design and something collective for the target market to keep and enjoy remarking its anniversary of this award-winning story.