A new, small-format edition of one of Edward Gorey’s “dark masterpieces of surreal morality” (Vanity Fair): a witty, disquieting journey through the alphabet.
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"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..." The rhyming couplets of this grim abecedarian are familiar, of course, to devotees of macabre humor, but the darkly crosshatched drawings are (as Poe put it) "the soul of the plot." Several years went by during which The Gashlycrumb Tinies: Or, After the Outing was not available in a small hardcover edition like this one, which is the true format for Edward Gorey's specialty, the adult picture book. (For those who wish to share the gloom there's a 10-copy assortment with The Curious Sofa.)
About the Author
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) wrote and illustrated such popular books as The Doubtful Guest, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and The Headless Bust. He was also a very successful set and costume designer, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway production of Edward Gorey's Dracula. Animated sequences of his work have introduced the PBS series Mystery! since 1980.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Edward Gorey's dark subversion of children's alphabet books is a tiny book guaranteed to bring a sinister smile to the face of every one with a twisted sense of humor. Opening with "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and running all the way to "Z is for Zilla who drank too much gin," the simple but inspired rhymes combine with Gorey's pseudo-Victorian Gothic crosshatch illustrations to wickedly funny effect.
Although his disaster-specific illustrations (such as "R is Rhoda consumed by a fire") are macabrely witty, Gorey is really at his best when he leaves the most to your imagination. Consequently, it is really his illustrations of impending doom ("P is for Prue trampled flat in a brawl") or the shocking aftermath of an unknown circumstance ("K is for Kate who was struck with an ax") that are most likely to inspire a mischievous grin.
Although you might not want to give this to your anxiety-prone niece or your traumatized stepson as a Christmas stocking stuffer unless you wish to make them worry about your intent, older children will likely find it every bit as comical as adults--but adults are the real audience here, much more likely to catch the drop-dead humor involved. Wickedly amusing and sinisterly charming in every way.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
By Twig
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Love love love this little hardcover gem! It sits out on a display shelf in my living room. I've purchased three thus far--my nieces (adults, not children) fell for it too and were each gifted a copy at Christmas. A worthwhile addition to your Gorey collection or as a fun gift for the more macabre-minded friend in your life.
By crazysweet
Format:Hardcover
I expected it to be a larger book. Its only bout 5" by 5". Still the artwork was very well done and its a very cute book. $10 is for sure worth it!
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4.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute and Creepy
This is for anyone with that sense of humor that most people just don't seem to get. A genuis dark twist on teaching the ABC's... very delightful.
~CS112_tih2
~CS112_tih2
Published on Mar 1 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
"N is for Neville who died of ennui"
But you will not die of ennui if you open this book. It illustrates the misfortunes of 26 children with names A-Z to a ghoulishly humorous rhyme. Read more
Published on Feb 7 2004 by mwreview
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cool little book
I'm so surprised to find this book here! I actually have this one! My cousin bought it for me, knowing my morbid sense of humor. It's pretty funny if you have my kind of humor.
Published on Nov 7 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
G is for Greatness which Gorey did spout
Dark, morbid, violent and creatively brilliant. This book adds humor to gore and visually brightens your day, the artwork consists of very good black ink drawings,each page has... Read more
Published on Sep 9 2003 by ERIK
5.0 out of 5 stars
An alphabet book for the Adams family
This little book is macabrely funny and delightfully bizarre. From the Mary-Poppins like pose of the skeleton undertaker on the cover to the 26 little tomestones on the back, this... Read more
Published on Sep 9 2003 by C. S. Webster
3.0 out of 5 stars
G is for Gorey who laughed us to death
This book was my first foray into the wierd Victorian-styled blackly-comedic world of Edward Gorey, and definitely got me hooked. Read more
Published on July 16 2003 by Justin E. Jacobson
5.0 out of 5 stars
H is for HECTOR done in by a thug
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is for those with a macabre, but light sense of humor. It is an A to Z tale of children meeting their doom. Read more
Published on Feb 23 2003 by Chonna F Guevara
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'd give this more stars if I could...Dark, of course...
This may be Gorey's best work, ever. I buy this story, in every version I find it in; it's hanging on my wall & this year it travels with me, too. Read more
Published on Jan 16 2003 by Geek Savant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why?
Throughout the short time it took to read this delightful book, I wondered this: Why am I not disgusted and horrified? Read more
Published on Dec 5 2002 by "capnskull"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing yet Refreshing
This book is so much fun. I really enjoyed reading this book. I bought it b/c I realized it would be nice to have around for a laugh or two.
Published on Nov 25 2002 by "brcst5"
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