German translation of Dragon Keeper

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I'll have to agree with you there. But mind you, I never said it was a very accurate drawing of Fitz...

[finella]

I think that the publisher didn’t intend to rely to the contents of the books or a special character. This sort of cover seems to be very „en vogue“ for fantasy right at the moment. You can find various covers, that differs a bit, sometimes it’s a girl with a cape, not in red but in grey and so on, but always very similar. Always the cape, always torn by the wind, always the face hidden. Simply boring. I mean, what has a man in a red cape to do with the Dragon Keeper ? Nothing at all ! That beats everything !

['thul]

even blue would have been closer, since then it could've been one of the blankets... (yes, that is far-fetched)

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I have been told that German fantasy and SF covers are more "symbolic" than accurately depicting what's inside. But then again, wouldn't a generic dragon be a better symbol for a book named Dragon Kepper?

[finella]

I have been told that German fantasy and SF covers are more "symbolic" than accurately depicting what's inside.

Hm, may be, although I can’t see it. Looking at other german covers (i.e. George R.R. Martin, Tad Williams, Anthony Durham, Anne McCaffrey etc.), they refer to the books in one way or the other. And many covers, which do not refer to the books but may be more „symbolic“ are at least somehow nice to look at (i.e. Naomi Novik’s Temeraire). I’m not an expert, but as far as I remember, this sort of cover startet with Trudi Canavan’s "The Black Magician Trilogy". Anyhow, knowing nothing at all about publisher’s business, I can imagine, that modifying covers, which they already own, is much cheaper than using a new cover. Hopefully they do not save costs with the translation. That would be the biggest shame at all !!!

['thul]

publishers, unlike authors, lack creativity, and may often not even read the books they publish.

[finella]

publishers, unlike authors, lack creativity, and may often not even read the books they publish.

I'm afraid, you're completely right .

[Farseer]

YES !!! I just found the information, that Dragon Keeper will be published in german translation in March 2012 (I was looking for that info for quite a while). The translation of Dragon Haven is designed, without a date.

Bad news – no hardcover, only paperback and the cover is absolutely dreadful !!! The publisher Heyne (Randomhouse) has adapted the covers of the latest german edition of the Farseer Trilogy (mysterious man in a wide red cape, which is blown by the wind. Seems to be a theme, which is very popular for fantasy at the moment. Here in Germany you find it on every second book in miscelleneous variations.) When I think of the wonderful dutch cover, or the UK one, which somehow refers to Alise’s drawings, I think, the german edition is a real shame !!!

But nevertheless I’m glad that they will be translatet. And I certainly will buy them. They are quite o.k. for the beach. I’m double glad, that I own the UK-hardcovers.

I'm not sure if this will be news for you and others, finella, but this is what Robin had to say today re German translations of DK and DH. Possibly it is just confirming what you've already said above, but that she's said it today makes me think it's something different?:

And this last week I’ve signed contracts with Heyne for mass market German editions of Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven.

[finella]

I read it on her page too and first wondered a bit, why she has signed the contract only now, meanwhile Heyne (and Amazon) did announce „Drachenhüter“ already in may. A bit strange, but perhaps that is one of publisher secrets .
I asked her, whether she has seen this strange german cover, but didn’t get an answer (as usal. I give it up.)