Five Edward Gorey stories that everyone should read
What do Tim Burton, The Tiger Lillies, PBS, and Lemony Snicket all have in common? They all have taken inspiration from the one and only Edward Gorey. Today, Mr Gorey would have turned 88, so it is only fitting that Google celebrate him with a doodle. The Google doodle shows an illustration of Gorey with some of his most famous characters.
Gorey published his first book, "The Unstrung Harp," in 1953. He quickly shot to fame due to his characteristic ink drawings and his dark yet lighthearted stories. Categorized by the literary nonsense movement, Gorey often wrote sentences like: 鈥淚t would carry off objects of which it grew fond, And protect them by dropping them into the pond.鈥� It was his nonsensical, macabre, yet playful writing that kept Gorey in the spotlight.
By the end of his life, Gorey had contributed more than 100 different works to the world. He was an accomplished writer, illustrator, and costume designer. The old man with his long white beard and soulful eyes had won over audiences and inspired artists.
In celebration of Gorey鈥檚 birthday, here are five Edward Gorey stories that everyone must read:聽
1)聽聽聽 The Doubtful Guest: Published in 1957, The Doubtful Guest has become one of Gorey鈥檚 most popular and often quoted books. This little tale is about a peculiar penguin-like creature that goes to live with (and wreak havoc on) an aristocratic family. Unfortunately for the family, the creature is there to stay.聽鈥淚t came seventeen years ago -- and to this day It has shown no intention of going away."聽
2)聽聽聽 The Gashlycrumb Tinies: 鈥淎 is for Amy who fell down the stairs,鈥� starts off Gorey鈥檚 abecedarian book about accidents. The book, written in rhyming dactylic couplets, follows 26 children (one for each letter of the alphabet) as they meet their untimely, albeit cheeky, doom. The cover, Death playing babysitter to 26 children, has become one of Gorey鈥檚 most well known images.
3)聽聽聽 The Haunted Tea-Cosy: A Dispirited and Distasteful Diversion for Christmas: Gorey鈥檚 brilliantly brooding take on 鈥淎 Christmas Carol.鈥澛� Follow Edward Gravel and the Bahhum Bug on their journey to "diffuse the interests of didacticism." Considered "vintage" Gorey, this is a must-read for all Gorey fans.
4)聽聽聽 The Raging Tide: Or, The Black Doll's Imbroglio: Gorey鈥檚 very own pick-your-own-adventure book. Now, if you remember these from childhood (who doesn鈥檛?), then you know you鈥檙e in for a good time. Fair warning: this book will make your head run in circles because it can be so hard to understand. But then again, that鈥檚 what it makes it classic Gorey.
5)聽聽聽 The Epiplectic Bicycle: This, according to some readers, is one of Gorey鈥檚 鈥渓ighter books.鈥� 鈥淐hildren only beat each other with croquet mallets in this one,鈥� a reviewer on GoodReads. The Epiplectic Bicycle features Embley and Yewbert鈥檚 adventures on a conscious bicycle. Adventures, hilarity, and a true-to-Gorey ending ensues.
