I've been thinking a bit about the edition covers for A Book of American Martyrs - what do the designs tell us about the book, or about the abortion 'debate' more broadly? @AbortionBooks_ #abortionbookclubABoAM 🧵1/n
Firstly, the US hardback/paperback. What interests me about this is the crack in the pavement that expresses a schism - a 'divided' nation whose seemingly irreconcilable beliefs (the pavement) may not be so immutable (the crack). 2/n 
But! Although US citizens may hold differing opinions on which abortions are 'morally' acceptable and which are not, the majority agree it should be legal. It's not a 50/50 divide as might be surmised from either the cover or the content of this book. 3/n
Secondly, the UK hardback - the edition I originally read. There's a schism on this cover as well, which also expresses a 'divide' but with some crossing of the line and perhaps an uneven distribution of persons on each 'side' (more pro- than anti-?). 4/n
My most pressing question is why the pastel colour scheme? I worry this gives the impression that it is a book for ~~*women*~~. Yet, as @JoeStrongDemog pointed out, the domain of reproductive health is still controlled by men and patriarchal forces - as was this narrative! 5/n
Thirdly, the French edition. A clear, thick line bisecting a grimy and worn out US flag - an explicit statement about a 'divided' US. The use of the flag also seems suggests that the debate is emblematic of the country itself. 6/n
Fourthly, the Spanish edition. No idea what is going on here. As it does not seem to be related to any characters, perhaps it is an individual considering an abortion? Hmm. 7/n
Lastly, the UK paperback. Also quite unclear. The wire fence could be a prison or barriers erected around clinics threatened by violence. Similarly, the brush stroke font implies graffiti or placards - for one side or the other. The schism is *implied* unlike other editions. 8/n
But what about the flower? 🌹 Teleflora tells me dark red carnations symbolise deep love and affection. If so, I very much want to assume it's deep love and affection for abortion itself... but probably not. 9/n teleflora.com/meaning-of-flo…
