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This is the cover to the January 1993 Carroll & Graf edition of The House That Stood Still. The artist is uncredited, and I do not recognize the style. Mark Applin wrote to me and says that the British artist Tony Roberts may have done this one.
I absolutely loathe and detest this book. It's easily the worst novel Van ever wrote — indeed, it would make a good candidate for worst book anyone ever wrote — and I can still remember with a shudder the first time I attempted to read it. It's turgid, silly, pointless, and all-around dull.
The above cover, however, is in stark contrast with the text. It's a brilliant and vibrant work of art — the robot looks almost like it's made of stone, and the wall behind it has fascinating intricate little patterns. Alas, there are no robots of any kind in the book, much less one as interesting as this.
Quite simply, this is the kind of book you buy for the cover — nothing more, nothing less. The perfect way to sell an unsellable novel.

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