Pornokitsch

The Last Werewolf
Glen Duncan
Design by Peter Mendelsund
Canongate

The cover of The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan is elegant and understated with beautiful proportions. Each word and graphic is placed purposefully on the page in a balanced and deeply pleasing composition - the hardback is an object I want to hold and show off as I sit on the train.

It is smart in so many ways; it's clean and its economy of imagery leaves it refreshingly unfussy. The title and author's name are the same size font, equal, no unfathomable hierarchy here. It is also a well-chosen font with just enough serif to keep things interesting but not so much that it becomes a faff; contemporary but not so fashionable that it will be evoking cringes in six months. The texture of the paper gives a density to the deep blue-black; Anish Kapoor void-like, it rings of an eternal midnight sky. And, of course, the simple and evocative phases of the moon shining out. Full to new, graphic and eloquent, nothing more is needed. [Catherine]

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From 16 January to 3 February, members of The Kitschies' judging panel will be discussing all of the 2011 finalists. Each review only reflects the view of that judge, and should not be taken as representative of the panel's collective opinion or final selection.

You can find the complete list of Inky Tentacle finalists on The Kitschies' site. Please join in the discussion below and on our Facebook page.