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Backlist [message #34157]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:00

Maren
Messages: 1332
Registered: October 2008
Location: Louisiana

Senior Member
[Moderator]

Backlist

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Re: Backlist [message #34158 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:03

Maren
Messages: 1332
Registered: October 2008
Location: Louisiana

Senior Member
[Moderator]

You were right, translating the title of the Italian one didn't help. So I used librarian trickery (one might even say witchcraft) to figure it out, and I had guessed correctly. You can give the prize to someone else, though, since I cheated. Smile

(And of course I already have a copy!)

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Re: Backlist [message #34159 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:17

Melissa Mead
Messages: 991
Registered: October 2008
Location: Albany, NY, USA

Senior Member

Do we post our guesses here? My logic is probably crazy, but I'll guess The Blue Sword.

Member of Carpe Libris: http://carpelibris.wordpress.com/

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Re: Backlist [message #34160 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:23

Megan Doreen
Messages: 20
Registered: April 2009
Location: Northern California

Junior Member

Since it has what appears to be the Stagnan and Touk...I'm going with Knot in the Grain...but I can't explain the flying car!

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Re: Backlist [message #34161 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:49

Catlady
Messages: 230
Registered: December 2008
Location: Aurora, Colorado

Senior Member

I was going to say A Knot in the Grain too, because the flying car is obviously Annabelle's. (Plus the stag.) Or maybe Sunshine, in which there is a four-legged leaping sort of creature, and also a car. And the two sides, darkness and the light -- you do not have to choose.

And thank you, I've had a terrible day, and am sitting here completely cracking up about this cover.

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Re: Backlist [message #34162 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 20:58

enneisilee
Messages: 3
Registered: May 2010

Junior Member

Translating the Title is no help at all but google is my friend so I cheated and figured it out...weird. It's not what I thought is was.

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Re: Backlist [message #34163 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:01

Jack_D'Arcy
Messages: 17
Registered: February 2009

Junior Member

If you don't have librarian trickery, then you resort to Google, and I came up with the answer too. If nothing else, cheating does satisfy your curiosity, if you're like me and must know the answer immediately.

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Re: Backlist [message #34164 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:03

Jack_D'Arcy
Messages: 17
Registered: February 2009

Junior Member

I guess i was typing my reply when the above was posted, so now it's just redundant.

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Re: Backlist [message #34165 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:15

livvispatula
Messages: 41
Registered: October 2008
Location: Texas

Member

I spot buttercups, a car, a Stagman, a Yoda- I mean Touk, and... a handful of leaves makes her Lily, I guess? I can't tell what the helmet is for. I need to read that book again. Maybe I'll get my boyfriend to buy it for me, since it's the only one I don't own.

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Re: Backlist [message #34166 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:19

cmarschner
Messages: 18
Registered: August 2010
Location: Ithaca, NY

Junior Member

I'm going lean towards a less frequented altar here and guess Deerskin, for the dual nature of the dress, and ground, and the general nature theme. There's even some large ungulates in it, although I admit no flying car at all. Or small alien characters. Fascinating covers, though - I'd love to see more as shuffling sedimentary layers of backlist and inspiration allow.

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Re: Backlist [message #34167 is a reply to message #34166 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:27

equus_peduus
Messages: 437
Registered: September 2009
Location: France

Senior Member

I was also going to guess Deerskin, or maybe Sunshine. But I haven't read Knot in the Grain in years (it's on my list of things-to-buy-soonish, since I not too long ago went on a buy-about-half-of-the-Robin-books-I-don't-have spree, and that one didn't make the first cut).

That inexplicable cover on the French book is pretty typical for that silver-cover-with-odd-picture series. I've seen several others from that publisher (or whatever... they mostly, to my knowledge, have French translations of mostly English language fantasy and sci-fi). Many of the ones I've seen don't seem to make much sense. But they're good for practicing French - it's easier to read (and understand) when I already know what's going on than reading something brand new in a language I only half understand.

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Re: Backlist [message #34169 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 21:53

Kathy_S
Messages: 313
Registered: October 2008
Location: Indiana

Senior Member

From the lake and the stagman, I might guess Hero and the Crown, and say it's a very strange picture of Aerin holding some surka, with the red & blue of the dress representing Agsded's heritage vs. Damar & Gonturan. But then what about the car? Maybe a side effect of a very, very, VERY long time climbing and falling? No clue....

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Re: Backlist [message #34171 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 22:22

skating librarian
Messages: 571
Registered: October 2008
Location: Vermont

Senior Member

I too will weigh in for Knot in the Grain, although why on Earth some of those bits of images appear is beyond me ... I will have to re-read it when I return home (home is where your books are).

The car has flown in from the Forbidden Forest in Harry Potter's world.

As for the feathery blue babe??? Maybe if I find a copy, it can be my next exercise in reading a familiar book in French ... it's pretty good practice and expands one's vocabulary no end. "Baguette magique " is apparently the proper translation for wand and I now giggle over it whenever I see a stick of French bread.

I remember a conversation with a translator (into Hebrew) of some books which have appeared as a series and she said that as subsequent volumes appeared she had to reconsider how she translated particular passages in earlier books.

"Winning a war is like winning an earthquake" Jeanette Rankin

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Re: Backlist [message #34174 is a reply to message #34171 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 22:57

equus_peduus
Messages: 437
Registered: September 2009
Location: France

Senior Member

skating librarian wrote on Wed, 15 September 2010 19:22

"Baguette magique " is apparently the proper translation for wand and I now giggle over it whenever I see a stick of French bread.

One of my trips to France was with my university symphony. As the conductor is a Berlioz expert, we had to, of course, visit the Berlioz museum (at that time not quite finished, but apparently when one is a Berlioz expert, one is able to get one's symphony into these places). I learned at that museum that "baguette" also means "conductor's stick."

Apparently bread is very versatile Wink

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Re: Backlist [message #34175 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 23:01

Kuro
Messages: 97
Registered: October 2009
Location: Luray, VA, USA

Member

I just had to come and ask about the flying car and yoda. And the very interesting depiction of what I think is a cotehardie (the dress). From what I can see on the cover, though, there are a few plural feminine words, which leads me go guess Knot in the Grain like everyone else.

This is goodnight and not goodbye.

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Re: Backlist [message #34177 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Wed, 15 September 2010 23:06

ravenandrose
Messages: 43
Registered: May 2010
Location: Oregon

Member

Oh, I was going to guess A Door in The Hedge...

But I didn't notice the "yoda" the first time around. I bet everybody is right about a knot in the grain Smile

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Re: Backlist [message #34179 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 00:09

CJames
Messages: 14
Registered: January 2009

Junior Member

I wonder if the neighbor suspects that he's in danger of having distant acquaintances or even total strangers inviting him out all in a conspiracy to create opportunities for kitten visits.

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Re: Backlist [message #34180 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 00:51

apple
Messages: 39
Registered: July 2010
Location: IL, USA

Member

I'm voting A Knot in the Grain as well, now off to google!

Knowledge is power...power corrupts...study hard...be evil!

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Re: Backlist [message #34181 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 01:16

Diane in MN
Messages: 2733
Registered: October 2008
Location: Twin Cities, MN, USA

Senior Member

Your foreign publishers do go for interesting artwork, don't they? Smile

The Italian artist at least seems to have read something about the book (yup, I googled too), but anyone who bought the French Belle based only on the cover illustration must have ended up very puzzled indeed.

I’ve got more minutes a month phone time than a month has minutes, but to get the other stuff, chiefly the unlimited internet, you have to pay for thirty-six days a month of phone time. They tried to sell me the forty-two days a month of phone time package

Obviously you were not the only person involved in that transaction who makes a living from fantasy. Smile

_{"The point of books is to have way too many but to always feel you never have enough . . . " Louise Erdrich}

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Re: Backlist [message #34182 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 01:33

glanalaw
Messages: 88
Registered: August 2010
Location: Tennessee

Member

From the Italian blurb, I wanted to think it was The Blue Sword... (well, I mean, Harry's eyes are a bit abnormal when she's in an intense mood...!) but looking at the title and all the details in the picture I'm going to have to agree with the majority of other people and say A Knot in the Grain.

International publishers do seem to have the most interesting ideas for cover art! I've seen the Russian versions of another author and they have similarly little to do with the actual content of the book. Of course occasionally that happens in the States, too... I do hope that if I ever get published I can have a tiny bit of say in what the cover looks like!

I didn't get a chance to comment the last few days, but I WANT THAT HELLKITTEN. So adorable. I have had an intense longing for a kitten ever since you started posting pictures. This is not helpful!

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Re: Backlist [message #34183 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 02:59

mayasings
Messages: 186
Registered: July 2009
Location: Jerusalem

Senior Member

also voting for A Knot in the Grain. it just makes the most sense, imo.

I thought the flying car was also out of the Harry Potter books, lol.

"they say that absence makes the heart grow fungus".

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Re: Backlist [message #34191 is a reply to message #34181 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 11:48

Jeanne Marie
Messages: 320
Registered: October 2008
Location: Kansas City

Senior Member

Diane in MN wrote on Thu, 16 September 2010 00:16

I’ve got more minutes a month phone time than a month has minutes, but to get the other stuff, chiefly the unlimited internet, you have to pay for thirty-six days a month of phone time. They tried to sell me the forty-two days a month of phone time package

Obviously you were not the only person involved in that transaction who makes a living from fantasy. Smile

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

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Re: Backlist [message #34193 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 15:02

Alannaeowyn
Messages: 46
Registered: October 2008
Location: Nebraska

Member

Should be A Knot in the Grain, right? And while there's no reason for it to be flying, that's probably Annabelle's junker.

And while I do have a copy, another one would be awesome. :3

ETA: Glanalaw, if you're up for a drive we have lots of kittens to choose from!

[Updated on: Thu, 16 September 2010 15:06]

Victim of a prolonged addiction fed by daily hits. Thanks, Robin.

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Re: Backlist [message #34195 is a reply to message #34193 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 17:21

glanalaw
Messages: 88
Registered: August 2010
Location: Tennessee

Member

Alannaeowyn, oh, how I wish I could do that! I have friends at grad school up in your neck of the woods too... it would be a good excuse, right? Unfortunately my roommate is allergic to small furry animals Sad

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Re: Backlist [message #34199 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 17:45

Fiona
Messages: 61
Registered: June 2010

Member

In case anyone thought Robin was exaggerating the need for a weightbearing attic floor, I can confirm that it was a definite neccessity - I still haven't recovered from the sight of cardboard boxes piled higher than I am tall, and four rows deep... Wink

(and all full of BOOKS!! - Heaven! - If anyone wants me, I'm up in Robin's attic, building a fort from the boxes!)

And I didn't swear THAT much at the bookshelves...

...okay, maybe I did Wink

ETA Just to mention my extreme disgruntlement at the lack of a Hellkitten introduction Sad

[Updated on: Thu, 16 September 2010 17:47]

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Re: Backlist [message #34200 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 17:53

L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden

Senior Member

Oh... my... sainted.... aunt! Those covers! (I'm afraid I even gave a little shriek of laughter...)

Out of idle curiosity - what is the translation of the Italian one? (Not what book is it, though I'm curious about that too, but the actual translation of the title.)

Edit: Sassi just passed by on her way to the living room windowsill where she's been spending most of her time these last day or two, on passing the desk she stopped to say: "Kurrrr" - thought I'd just pass that along.

[Updated on: Thu, 16 September 2010 17:55]

Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.

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Re: Backlist [message #34201 is a reply to message #34200 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 17:56

Maren
Messages: 1332
Registered: October 2008
Location: Louisiana

Senior Member
[Moderator]

L.R.K. wrote on Thu, 16 September 2010 17:53

Out of idle curiosity - what is the translation of the Italian one? (Not what book is it, though I'm curious about that too, but the actual translation of the title.)

"Witch."

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Re: Backlist [message #34203 is a reply to message #34199 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 18:53

Robin
Messages: 6007
Registered: September 2008
Location: England

Senior Member
[Hellgoddess]

Careful. I was nice enough NOT to mention that I learnt a BRAND NEW SWEAR from you yesterday. Smile

You're just lucky it's not suitable for a family blog. Smile

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Re: Backlist [message #34204 is a reply to message #34201 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 18:54

Robin
Messages: 6007
Registered: September 2008
Location: England

Senior Member
[Hellgoddess]

Or Enchantress. Or Sorceress. I suppose it depends on your translation site. Smile

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Re: Backlist [message #34205 is a reply to message #34203 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 19:02

Fiona
Messages: 61
Registered: June 2010

Member

Robin wrote on Thu, 16 September 2010 18:53

Careful. I was nice enough NOT to mention that I learnt a BRAND NEW SWEAR from you yesterday. Smile

You're just lucky it's not suitable for a family blog. Smile

Mwahahahahahahahaha!
(although I can be MUCH more 'creative' than that if I really put my mind to it Wink

)

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Re: Backlist [message #34209 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 20:29

Maya
Messages: 30
Registered: October 2008
Location: Michigan

Member

I'm with the vast majority on Knot in the Grain-- I didn't notice Touk, but I'll go back and look, and although my first thought was Chalice that probably hasn't been out long enough to make it into Italian. (How long do such things take when you're not J.K. Rowling?) But Knot in the Grain has several good candidates for witchhood, and a Stagman, and a car (so few of the options do....), so, yes. Knot in the Grain. Which I don't own.... hmm. I ought to do something about that.

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Re: Backlist [message #34214 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Thu, 16 September 2010 21:02

Julia
Messages: 531
Registered: October 2008
Location: Library School

Senior Member

I cheated too. Used WordReference to translate the title, and then the Italian version of Google (Google.it) to search for it.
Ah well. I couldn't resist.
(Before I cheated, I was going to guess that it was Deerskin, because it looks like there is some kind of transformation going on...... but the flying car made no sense.)

(Actually, I don't own a copy of Knot in the Grain either. I should do something about that...) Smile

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Re: Backlist [message #34243 is a reply to message #34157 ]

Fri, 17 September 2010 17:44

Mismatched Socks
Messages: 24
Registered: May 2010
Location: well, that depends. . .

Junior Member

If it weren't for the flying car I would have gone with The Hero and the Crown, based on the helmet and the leafy thing that could conceivably be surka. I could even see the dress working for that. But then there's the car. . .

Translating the blurb is no more help than the title. It's something like "one has only to look them in the eye to know they aren't normal girls" or, more literally but less clearly, " looking in their eyes is enough to discover that they are not girls like the others . . ." (my translation is based on knowledge of Spanish combined with use of an Italian dictionary).

I'm going to go with the majority in guessing A Knot in the Grain, but only because I can't imagine where else the car could come from.

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Re: Backlist [message #34246 is a reply to message #34209 ]

Fri, 17 September 2010 20:20

Aaron
Messages: 319
Registered: June 2009
Location: California

Senior Member

Maya wrote on Thu, 16 September 2010 17:29

Which I don't own.... hmm. I ought to do something about that.

What is the purpose of boxes of backlist in an attic?*

*This is intended to be a leading question. I always assumed that they were destined, in some way, for the retail trade but I can't find anything in the FAQ lists that indicates that there is a mechanism by which this would be accomplished.

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