The Big Sleep is a serious and significant mainstream novel that just happens to possess elements of mystery and crime. The story is well known both in celluloid and print so it is essential to come at it from a fresh angle.
The aim was to try to design a new cover for a new generation of readers, avoiding the obvious cliches as originality is key. I was looking for a striking cover design that is well executed, has an imaginative concept and clearly places the book for its market, while all elements of the jacket need to work together as a cohesive whole, and make the front cover must be effective on its own and be eye-catching within a crowded bookshop setting.
More than simply a mystery novel, and first published in 1939, The Big Sleep has become a classic of American literature, with Chandler praised for his deft handling of plot, as well as his terse style and acerbic wit. In 1946, a film adaptation of The Big Sleep was released, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, two of the biggest movie stars of the day. The aim was to design something unique-This knight is one of the elements mentioned in some scenes in the book specifically.
Front and back cover design
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