I've got you covered...

Looking at the first (top left) cover, it is apparent that the purpose is likely to portray the main character, Kathy, as a sort of outsider. In the book, Kathy describes enjoying sitting outside with the other former Hailsham students when they first arrive at the Cottages. Though the girl on this cover is sitting by herself rather than with other people, I think the artist chose to display Kathy alone because the story is told from her perspective. The point in the story that this scene portrays is a time where Kathy is starting to view the people around her differently, and I think the artist felt this was a crucial point in the story. The second (top right) cover is probably meant to emphasize the author's focus on the relationships between Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth because this is the boat that they visited on their last time together as a trio. The covers are similar in that they reflect points of Kathy's transition from ignorant and naive to more aware and reflective. However, they differ in that the second is more focused on the transformation of the relationship between the three rather than Kathy as an individual. The author likely chose the boat because it symbolizes the last of the trio's time together, and serves as a point of transition for both Kathy and Ruth's and Kathy and Tommy's relationships. 

The third (bottom left) cover establishes a darker mood that is likely meant to emphasize the appalling fate of the Hailsham students as donors. The cover displays an unrefined drawing of one's internal organs, which reflects the purpose that all Hailsham students were created for. This is significantly different to the first cover, which is overall lighter in both the mood and what is being represented. The fourth cover (bottom right) is a more abstract portrayal of a woman, which I think displays the purpose as Kathy's attempt to hold onto fading memories and people. While the fourth and first covers are similar is displaying a woman- likely Kathy- they differ in what they're establishing in doing so, as the first is to display Kathy as the outsider or main character whereas the fourth is to display her attempts to hold on to what once was. Of the four covers, the third stands out the most because of its purpose of displaying the reality of the society as a whole rather than focusing only on Kathy and her experiences as an individual. 

Upon first glance of both the third and fourth covers, it is apparent that they are communicating entirely different themes to the audience. When looking at the third cover, the first word that comes to mind is "disturbing". The cover's rough sketch of organs alludes to the Hailsham students' fate as donors, which is alarming in itself because they are young kids being raised to eventually die. This cover is a strong representation of the gothic elements of the story as well, as it displays the underlying horror of the reality of their society. When looking at the third cover, the first word that comes to mind is "cloudy". The painting is intentionally blurry and vague, which alludes to the theme of ignorance because the students are intentionally made unaware of their fates for a good number of years. This cover also comments on the fact that Kathy's narration through flashbacks may be faulty since her memories may be fuzzy or based around people whose existences are fading (because they are donors). 

If I looked at the third cover without having read the book I would think it was a horror story based solely around death. The drawing of the organs, with a figure outlined in what appears to be barbed wire, establishes an ominous mood that hints at hopelessness. After having read the book it is clear that the barbed wire surrounding the organs is meant to symbolize the boundaries that were set in the lives of the Hailsham students, since their knowledge was limited during their time as students in order to provide them with childhoods. The cover is representative of the reality that the students are created solely for the purpose of becoming donors, which truly is a dismal fate. If I looked at the fourth cover without having read the book I would think it was a story based around a woman trying to escape or change the course of her life, as the figure is turned away and blurry as though she's moving away. After having read the book it is apparent that the cover is meant to display Kathy's lack of full awareness for the majority of the book. Her understanding of several aspects of her life is blurry, but is in constant motion as she moves towards her epiphany. This image, similar to the third cover, doesn't capture a major theme of the book which is the importance of relationships. I think that the transitioning dynamic between Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth and the goodness in each of them despite their circumstances are major points in the story, neither of which are portrayed in either covers. 

The third cover seems to be portraying all donors because of the inclusion of only organs, which are common among people of all sexes and races. The cover displays that all the Hailsham students, despite their differing personalities and outlooks on life, are united by their purpose of providing organs for the society. In contrast, the fourth cover seems to be portraying Kathy as an individual rather than as just one of several donors. The third cover seems to be created from someone who views the book as horrific rather than one focused on the underlying goodness of three friends, whereas the fourth cover seems to have been created from the viewpoint of someone who felt the book was most focused on the transition of Kathy independently. 

The third cover displays the negative connotation some of society attributes to cloning because of its morbidity, whereas the fourth lacks any sort of comment on the controversy surrounding the topic. Never Let Me Go comments on the pains of growing up in ways that are relatable to any young adult, as do the themes of morality and of caring for one another despite glaring flaws. The author likely wrote the book in order to remind people that life is temporary for everyone,  and that the aspects of humanity that make us what we are lie in our relationships with others. I think this book is primarily aimed at young adults, as it is told from the perspective of a young woman who is reflecting on her short life, but I would recommend it to any individual who is a teenager or older because of how relatable the themes are.