The Role of the Book Cover: A Case Study of the First Edition of Ring (2002)

Abstract

A book cover is the first section of the book that communicates important content to the reader and serves as a marketing communication to influence the reader’s buying decision. It also represents a relationship between different cultures. This study aims to examine the meanings embedded in the cover of the first edition of the contemporary Japanese novel Ring (2002), a work that played a significant role in introducing contemporary Japanese novels to the Thai market in the early 2000s. The research employs multimodal critical discourse analysis (MCDA) framework, combined with the signifier analysis approach proposed by Long Li, Xi Li, and Jun Miao (2019). The findings reveal that the publisher placed great importance on the book cover, as evidenced by the careful selection of the cover designer and the effort to create a design that stands out from other novels in the market. The various elements on the Ring cover serve to convey key messages and to engage readers, emphasizing the horror elements of the story and the novel’s unique value. Additionally, the cover establishes a connection to the terrifying image of the ghost Sadako from the film adaptation. Additionally, the cover creates a strong visual connection to the haunting image of Sadako, the iconic ghost from the film adaptation. It also incorporates elements that represent Japanese culture, reflecting the widespread popularity of Japanese cultural trends in Thai society. These trends influenced the Thai designer in selecting and adapting cultural imagery to align with the Thai perception of Japanese culture at the time.