It’s the opposite of subtle, which is entirely right for a novel about the Mob. The definitive novel about the Mob. Very confident design – event publishing.
It’s another “Big Book” design as originated by Paul Bacon (see his design for “Jaws” here) which is very typical of that era. But I don’t believe the essential concept is actually dated at all (large bold title, prominent author's name, with a small conceptual image). It can still work brilliantly for the right book.
Funnily enough, I suspect the conceptual image part of this design is actually the weakest part, the most dispensible. The font is so strong and recognizable – brutal, even – that it says everything that needs saying.
I think other editions may have used imagery from the movie – there’s lots of memorable imagery in it – but my feeling would be to keep it big, bold and clean. The stark black and white nature of the cover hints at the universe of good-and-evil inside.
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