I’m thrilled to reveal the UK cover for my upcoming book THE BUTCHERING ART, which will be published by Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin, on October 17th. The book tells the story of the surgeon Joseph Lister and his quest to transform the brutal world of Victorian surgery through antisepsis.

For those of you who are familiar with the US cover (right), you’ll notice a lot of similarities. The US cover features a painting by the 19th-century artist Thomas Eakins. It depicts the surgeon Samuel Gross, who didn’t believe in the existence of germs and made a point of not using Lister’s antiseptic techniques in the operating theater. The painting is dark and bloody, and the surgeons are all wearing their everyday clothing. These men are the last “butchers” of their profession – men who were lauded for their brute strength and speed, and who didn’t wash their hands or their instruments between operations.

In contrast, the UK cover (above) features a second painting by Eakins, this one completed a decade later after Lister triumphs and germ theory is finally accepted by the medical community. This painting is lighter, brighter, and there is a sense of cleanliness and hygiene (note: the publisher has stylized the original painting to give it a slightly modern look here). I think it’s brilliant that the US and UK covers are in conversation with one another. So here’s the important part! I would be HUGELY GRATEFUL if you would consider pre-ordering the book today if you’re in the UK. Pre-orders are especially crucial at the start of a writer’s career as they increase my chance at getting onto bestseller lists when the time comes. Click HERE.

And don’t forget you can also pre-order the US edition by clicking HERE. Info on further foreign editions to come!