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Cover Stories: Shine Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger
Neesha Meminger's Shine Coconut Moon is high on my to-read list (also: The Gossip Girls are reading it!). I heard an excerpt from it last year, and I just know I'll love it! Read the very cool Lyn Miller-Lachmann's review on readergirlz.
Plus: The Cover. I had to find out the back story. Here's Neesha:
"Thank goodness no one asked me for my thoughts on what should go on the cover! As I was writing the book, the only thing I could think of was a giant coconut in the shadow of a waning moon. Ugh.
"The only thing I said to my publisher was, 'I'm fine with anything except a headless woman.' Obviously, you know just how far that input got me {grin}.
"Okay, truly? When I first saw my cover, I was disappointed with the headless model. I really had a hard time moving through that. For South Asian women, it's a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we're absolutely thrilled that there is SOME representation--especially if that representation is not of the usual, passive, submissive, sari-clad, new-immigrant variety we're used to seeing on television and in movies. On the other hand, yes, it absolutely objectifies young women as does all of the mainstream media we see every single day.
"But, when my husband came over to look at it over my shoulder, his first response was, 'Holy #$%@! That's an AWESOME, eye-catching cover.' As he walked away, he mumbled, 'Arresting . . . that's what it is. Arresting' I started liking it a lot more almost immediately.
"The one big thing I asked them to change, they did (see Neesha's post, which goes into great detail about the important back cover changes). My editor was completely behind me (thank goodness!), and the final result, at least in *my* humble opinion, is stunning. I love the juxtaposition of the traditional painting on the back and the modern, tough, sexy girl photo on the front.
"Only the back cover changed. The front was pretty much the same as it was in the sketches I saw. The front cover was shot with a model.
"I quite like it now, actually. I totally agree with the headless/objectification argument, and yet, at the same time, I see how rarely young, Indian-American teens get to see themselves as tough and sexy and hip in ANY mainstream media. While we can't see the model's face, I still love that she exudes confidence, she's a hip young Indian-American woman who is facing forward, thumb hooked into the belt loop of her jeans . . . ready to take on what life throws at her."
I love this final assessment of Neesha's, and it's fascinating to hear about the back cover battles. In the end, I agree with her husband: Arresting. What do you guys think?
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Comments (7)
Interesting cover story! I remember reading SCM back when it first came out, and it was great! I still do like the cover...*runs off to locate my copy*
Posted by Lea | January 18, 2010 11:00 AM
I do like the cover. Very attention-grabbing. I think the headless model thing is actually good. It's like she's hiding something, cause you know, the face(eyes) tell it all.
Posted by Nadine | January 18, 2010 12:57 PM
I really liked this book. Thanks for the back story, ladies!
Are the characters on the show Gossip Girl reading it, or did an actor talk about it in real life? Either way, sweet exposure, guaranteed to attract new readers to the book!
Posted by Little Willow | January 18, 2010 6:39 PM
Love the book, love the cover, and love Neesha--whom I met last week and is completely lovely and charming!
Posted by Bev Katz Rosenbaum | January 18, 2010 6:56 PM
I really do like this cover, arresting is the right word! I wish she wasn't headless but it's still nice to have an Indian teen on the cover of a book :) I barely noticed Mike standing next to her, it was pointed out to me a little while ago and it doesn't bother me one way or the other, although he's really annoying but since he's not too noticeable it's ok. I love the traditonal painting on the back as well and I love Shine, Coconut Moon :D
Posted by Ari | January 18, 2010 7:03 PM
Ari, I never even NOTICED Mike until you mentioned it! Wow. I have to do a full re-look now!
Posted by Melissa Walker | January 18, 2010 7:50 PM
I haven't heard of this book yet and, now, I seriously must read it (and not JUST because the Gossip Girls are reading it, however that's TOTALLY AWESOME). I really like the cover - as someone who's been immersed in the Indian culture (Indian boyfriend), it's always nice to see a main character BE ethnic - and not to mention see one on the cover. I think the cover does portray a strong character...and on a girly note, I love her bangles.
Posted by Lauren | January 18, 2010 9:13 PM