Edward Gorey Books

Collection of illustrations from Gorey's famous books and lesser-known ephemera.

An alphabet illustrated with Edward Gorey's inimitable sense of the weird and the macabre.

The collection features original illustrations by Edward Gorey, created for letters to a close friend, showcasing his unique artistic style. Alongside these whimsical drawings, the volume includes playful excerpts from the correspondence, offering readers a glimpse into Gorey's creative mind and personal connections. This previously unseen material highlights the charm and wit characteristic of Gorey's work, making it a delightful addition for fans and art enthusiasts alike.

Being a tale--perhaps an allegory--of deceptive simplicity, with universal meaning for all civilized men and women, Gorey's "The Doubtful Guest" is republished here in a deluxe hardcover edition at an eerily low price.

Figbash is acrobatic, topiaries are tragic, hippopotami are admonitory, and galoshes are remorseful in this celebration of a unique talent that never fails to delight, amuse, and confound readers. This latest collection displays in glorious abundance the offbeat characters and droll humor of Edward Gorey.

The title of this deliciously creepy collection of Gorey's work stems from the word amphigory, meaning a nonsense verse or composition. As always, Gorey's painstakingly cross-hatched pen and ink drawings are perfectly suited to his oddball verse and prose. The first book of 15, "The Unstrung Harp," describes the writing process of novelist Mr. Clavius Frederick Earbrass: "He must be mad to go on enduring the unexquisite agony of writing when it all turns out drivel." In "The Listing Attic," you'll find a set of quirky limericks such as "A certain young man, it was noted, / Went about in the heat thickly coated; / He said, 'You may scoff, / But I shan't take it off; / Underneath I am horribly bloated.' "Many of Gorey's tales involve untimely deaths and dreadful mishaps, but much like tragic Irish ballads with their perky rhythms and melodies, they come off as strangely lighthearted. "The Gashlycrumb Tinies," for example, begins like this: "A is for AMY who fell down the stairs, B is for BASIL assaulted by bears," and so on. An eccentric, funny book for either the uninitiated or diehard Gorey fans.Contains: The Unstrung Harp, The Listing Attic, The Doubtful Guest, The Object Lesson, The Bug Book, The Fatal Lozenge, The Hapless Child, The Curious Sofa, The Willowdale Handcar, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Insect God, The West Wing, The Wuggly Ump, The Sinking Spell, and The Remembered Visit.

The narrative features a whimsical and adventurous journey, showcasing Edward Gorey's signature charm and sophistication. Celebrated for its stylish and inventive storytelling, this burlesque tale captivates with its unique blend of humor and creativity. The special gift edition enhances its appeal, making it a perfect choice for fans of Gorey's distinctive artistic voice.

Another Goery masterpiece unfolds in this dark tale of surreal morality. Illustrations.

A happy, naive family enters the Evil Garden (free admission!) to spend a sunny afternoon in its inviting landscape, lush with exotic trees and flowers. They soon realize their mistake, as harrowing sounds and evidence of foul play emerge. When humongous hairy bugs, famished carnivorous plants, ferocious fruit-guarding bears, and a sinister strangling snake take charge, the family's ominous feelings turn to full-on panic but where's the exit? Edward Gorey leads us through this nefarious garden with a light step. His unmistakable drawings paired with engaging couplets produce giggles, not gasps. Perhaps "The Evil Garden" is a morality tale; perhaps it's simply an enigmatic entertainment. Whatever the interpretation, it's a prime example of the iconic storytelling genius that is Edward Gorey.

On a long trip abroad, Gorey's young Drusilla is introduced to high art and gourmet meals. She gamely tries to appreciate the museums, rich food, and architectural wonders that delight her parents, only to find herself drifting along in a puzzling world. But then Miss Skrim-Pshaw takes her for tea with Mr Crague, a sockless, elderly man with a notable past, and their brief encounter is what will haunt Drusilla years later. Her casual promise to the old man has led to sudden recollection, then sad regret. curious coming-of-age tale, Edward Gorey employs his signature dark humor and exquisite illustrations to deftly portray the precociousness of a child on the brink of adulthood. One of the most enigmatic of Gorey's many books, The Remembered Visit has been a favorite of Gorey fans, young and old, since its original release in 1965.

Edward Gorey's first miniature book, The Eclectic Abecedarium is an illustrated adventure through the English alphabet, accompanied by rhyming couplets penned by Gorey, who described his creations as "literary nonsense." Inspired by popular moral primers for children, Gorey created an updated version of Isaac Watts's alphabetic aphorisms. Part sweet songs of unseen birds and part cautionary tales, this abecedarium fully lives up to the epithet "eclectic."

"A collection of twenty illustrations by artist Edward Gorey"--

This follow-up to the darkly humorous Amphigorey is wittier, more macabre, and more wondrous than ever. Master illustrator and iconic gothic storyteller Edward Gorey gives his fans 20 more nonsensically and mind-bending tales that draw fans and unsuspecting newcomers into a world only he can create. Gorey's pen-and-ink drawings spur the imagination and satisfy fans of art and the good storytelling.Contains The Beastly Baby, The Nursery Frieze, The Pious Infant, The Evil Garden, The Inanimate Tragedy, The Gilded Bat, The Iron Tonic, The Osbick Bird, The Chinese Obelisks (bis), The Deranged Cousins, The Eleventh Episode, [The Untitled Book], The Lavender Leotard, The Disrespectful Summons, The Abandoned Sock, The Lost Lions, Story for Sara [by Alphonse Allais], The Salt Herring [by Charles Cros], Leaves from a Mislaid Album, and A Limerick.

The Unstrung Harp is a look at the literary life and its "attendant woes: isolation, writer's block, professional jealousy, and plain boredom." But, as with all of Edward Gorey's books, TUH is also about life in general, with its anguish, turnips, conjunctions, illness, defeat, string, parties, no parties, urns, desuetude, disaffection, claws, loss, trebizond, napkins, shame, stones, distance, fever, antipodes, mush, glaciers, incoherence, labels, miasma, amputation, tides, deceit, mourning, elsewards.Finally, TUH is about Edward Gorey the writer, about Edward Gorey writing The Unstrung Harp. It's a small masterpiece.

Drawings (including thirty-two pages in color), captions, and verse showcasing Gorey's unique talents and humor. "The Glorious Nosebleed," "The Utter Zoo," "The Epiplectic Bicycle," and fourteen other selections.

The short, tragic life of Charlotte Sophia is told in this satire of sentimental Victorian orphan tales.

One of Mr. Gorey's wordless masterworks. --New York Times

Three mysterious figures set out from Willowdale, travelling by handcar. On the way to nowhere in particular they pass a number of odd characters and observe a series of baffling phenomena, from a house burning down in a field to a palatial mansion perched precariously on a bluff.

Our story opens with a cat stuck in a tree, an ordinary-enough occurrence. Fletcher the cat, having run up the tree in a moment of thoughtless abandon, cannot get back down. Then strange things begin to happen: Fletcher finds in his tree a steamer trunk full of hats, and among the hats a papier-mâché egg that opens to reveal Zenobia, a worldly talking doll who was locked in the egg by an unfeeling child named Mabel. To cheer each other up, Fletcher and Zenobia decide to throw a party, complete with cake, peach ice cream, and punch from a silver punch bowl. The hats come in handy, and a moth, drawn to the festivities, soon becomes the vehicle of an unexpected escape plan. A story of metamorphosis and friendship, like The Owl and the Pussycat crossed with Alice in Wonderland, Fletcher and Zenobia is a wildly imaginative tale of wish fulfillment and freedom. At once silly and zany, it is not without a certain delicacy of feeling that older children, and adults, will also appreciate.

Culled from dozens of interviews, this unique autobiography of the famous artist showcases Gorey's ideas about French symbolist poetry, soap operas, George Balanchine, ballet, and Victorian snuff photography, among other topics. 50,000 first printing.

Donald encounters a difficulty when a splinter enters the calf of his leg.

JOhnny Dixon doesn't believe that the ghost of mad Father Baart haunts the town church. But then he takes an old scroll and a seemingly harmless figurine from the church basement, accepts a magic ring from a mysterious stranger--and is plunged into a terrifying adventure that may cost him his life.

A humorous exploration of one of the most absurd hairstyles in history.

The narrative unfolds in a mysterious setting where a skating pond hides a family of enormous eels, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and foreboding. As daylight wanes, darkness and dismay envelop the scene. This work can be interpreted as Edward Gorey's unique take on a winter afternoon reminiscent of the themes and tones found in classic nineteenth-century Russian literature. The blend of whimsy and melancholy invites readers to explore deeper meanings within its enigmatic landscape.

Drawings show an alphabet of young victims and how they died.

The book explores the extraordinary friendship between Edward Gorey and Peter Neumeyer, beginning with a humorous first encounter in 1968. Their correspondence, filled with intellectual discourse and artistic collaboration, reveals the depth of their bond. Gorey's letters showcase his gentleness and distinctive humor, countering the common perception of him as macabre. Neumeyer’s thoughtful responses reflect his compassion and intellect, making their exchanges a celebration of creativity. This collection not only highlights their artistic synergy but also offers an intimate glimpse into their lives and thoughts.

Featuring a curated collection of spine-chilling tales, this anthology showcases the works of renowned authors such as Charles Dickens and M. R. James, known for their mastery in the supernatural genre. Each story is complemented by Edward Gorey's distinctive illustrations, enhancing the eerie atmosphere of ghostly encounters and unsettling events. This selection celebrates the art of horror storytelling, making it a captivating read for fans of the macabre.

Miss Hyacinthe Phypps presents a cheeky guide to post-deflowerment decorum.

Cats! Some are sane, some are mad and some are good and some are bad. Meet magical Mr Mistoffelees, sleepy Old Deuteronomy and curious Rum Tum Tugger. But you'll be lucky to meet Macavity because Macavity's not there! In 1925 T.S. Eliot became co-director of Faber & Faber, who remain his publishers to this day. Throughout the 1930s he composed the now famous poems about Macavity, Old Deuteronomy, Mr Mistoffelees and many other cats, under the name of 'Old Possum'. In 1981 Eliot's poems were set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber as Cats which went on to become the longest-running Broadway musical in history. This charming new edition contains original colour illustrations by the award-winning illustrator of The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler.

Featuring a whimsical and darkly humorous twist, this retelling of a classic tale showcases Gorey's unique artistic style and wit. Readers will encounter familiar characters in an unexpected light, blending the essence of Dickens's story with Gorey's signature peculiarities. The narrative promises a delightful mix of charm and absurdity, making it an irresistible addition to the holiday season.

The inhabitants of the ever-so-popular Haunted-Tea Cosy return in a new holiday tale. As we wander off with Edward Gorey into the new millenium our reasons for being here are far from clear. Nevertheless, here is the master craftsman at his best!

Miss D. Awdrey-Gore, renowned 97-year-old writer of detective stories, is found murdered; then a mysterious hidden packet is discovered. Addressed to her publisher, it contains what appear to be notes and drawings related to a literary work in progress. The contents "in their entirety--though certain things are patently missing" comprise clues about the who, what, when, where and how of Awdrey-Gore's demise. Or do they? Edward Gorey takes us on a rollicking ride in this merry murder mystery, but whether or not the killer is revealed is open to speculation. As one scrap of paper in the packet states, "The smallest clue may be (or not) / The one to give away the plot."

The Quingawaga and Mork, Fidknop and Ampoo are among the fantastical imaginings of Edward Gorey's Utter Zoo Alphabet. The twenty-six postcards (one for each letter of the alphabet) feature Gorey's illustrations of unusual and biologically questionable creatures, each one described by a typically witty Gorey couplet.

Von Ampu und Boggerslosch bis Yaffel und Zot listet dieses zoologische Alphabet außergewöhnlichen Getiers sämtliche Geschöpfe auf, die aus dem einen oder anderen Grund nur selten in normalen Tierschauen und -heimen zu finden sind. Damit bietet der berühmte Zeichner Edward Gorey den jungen und alten Freunden unserer irdischen Fauna einen einzigartigen Blick in eine Welt der besonderen, der gänzlich anderen Art. Ins Deutsche hinübergedichtet hat dieses ABC der Schriftsteller und große Gorey-Kenner Clemens J. Setz.

Having read and dreamed too many fairy tales, the grocer sets off to live one, but finds the world not at all conducive to his fantasies.

Embley und Yewbert sind zwei sehr aufgeweckte Kinder (früher wären sie als "Rabauken" bezeichnet worden). Als ihnen ein geheimnisvolles Fahrrad in die Hände fällt, beginnt eine Reise, die höchst merkwürdig verläuft und endet. Die Warnungen eines Vogels, das Verschwinden gelber Schuhe, der Kampf mit einem Alligator und viele weitere Ereignisse werfen Fragen auf, deren Antworten Embley und ­Yewbert nicht kennen (so wie wir auch nicht). Ihre Geschichte ist ein weiteres Kunststück von Edward Gorey in neuer Übersetzung. Für alle Kinder von 6 bis 180.

R(onald) F(rederic) Melf ist einer der bedeutendsten Romanciers seiner Zeit. Im späten Herbst – genauer gesagt: am achtzehnten November jedes zweiten Jahres – beginnt Melf mit einem neuen Roman. Edward Gorey beschreibt und zeichnet in ›Eine Harfe ohne Saiten‹ die Mühsal des schöpferischen Prozesses und die Qualen, die ein Autor erleiden muss, bis aus einem Titel, für den noch kein Stoff existiert, ein Manuskript wird und sogar ein fertiges Buch; er erzählt von den Schwierigkeiten im Umgang mit solch weltlichen Institutionen wie Verlag und Buchhandel, von den postnatalen Depressionen ganz zu schweigen. ›Eine Harfe ohne Saiten‹ ist eine Art frühe Graphic Novel über einen Novellisten.

Auch mit diesem Werk zeigt Edward Gorey sich wieder als Meister der absurd-bösen Bildergeschichte in seiner ganz eigenen viktorianisch schlichten Manier: Weil der Schnee so dicht fällt, daß nicht eingekauft werden kann, muß Jane auf das zurückgreifen, was sich noch in der Küche finden läßt. Eine helle Soße soll zur Verfeinerung des wenigen beitragen, allerdings ist diese dann nicht so leicht zu jedermanns Zufriedenheit in der richtigen Konsistenz herzustellen. Und natürlich rechnet bei so etwas niemand mit einem tödlichen Ausgang. Schon gar nicht zu Weihnachten.

""Remember the rules of the woods," says Mrs. Red Riding Hood. "Keep to the path and DON'T TALK TO WOLVES!" But Little Red Riding Hood forgets the rules and now she must outwit the wolf."--Back cover.

Ein faszinierendes, düsteres Werk mit skurrilen Bildern und Geschichten, das Liebhaber schwarzen Humors anspricht. Es umfasst elf bizarre Geschichten wie "Die Harfe ohne Saiten" und "Das unglückselige Kind", die groteske Darstellungen bieten.

"If you want to pretend you're shrinking, that's all right," said Treehorn's mother, "as long as you don't do it at the table." No one around seems to appreciate what Treehorn's going through, when he starts shrinking after playing a strange board game. His parents are busy, his friends laugh at him, and he even gets sent to the Principal's office for shrinking. Or was it shirking? Clearly, the adults in his life have no clue and can't help. In the end, Treehorn figures it out on his own, and all is well. . . . At least until he turns green. This oddly offbeat, surreal, and funny story is illustrated with Edward Gorey's signature pen and ink drawings. It will appeal to any kid who feels they're not truly seen or heard by the grown-ups in their life. Works for adults, too. This 50th Anniversary edition includes an appreciation from Caldecott Honoree Lane Smith, illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man. An ALA Notable Children's Book A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year

When Lewis Barnavelt, an orphan, comes to stay with his uncle Jonathan, he expects to meet an ordinary person. But he is wrong. Uncle Jonathan and his next-door neighbour, Mrs Zimmermann, are both witches! Lewis couldn't be happier. What's not to like about seeing his uncle practise spells and eating Mrs Zimmermann's delicious cookies? At first, watching magic is enough. Then Lewis experiments with magic himself and unknowingly resurrects the former owner of the house: a woman named Selenna Izard. It seems that evil Selenna and her husband built a timepiece into the walls, a clock that could obliterate humankind. As the clock can be heard ticking away in the house all the time, sometimes louder, sometimes quieter, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, it is up to the Barnavelts to find where it is hidden in the walls and stop it. A true race against time

Ein Mann und sein Vogel. Eine der großen Freundschaften in der Geschichte der Zeichenkunst. Erzählt von Edward Gorey, übersetzt von Clemens J. Setz

Für alle, die fasziniert vom Fliegen sind und ein tieferes Verständnis dafür entwickeln wollen, wie Vögel und Modellflugzeuge ihre Kreise in der Luft ziehen. Anschaulich und unterhaltsam führt der Autor in die komplexen Sachverhalte von Wirbel, Zirkulation und Auftrieb ein. Verständlich und begreifbar durch zahlreiche Diagramme und Videos. Es gelingt dem Autor die dem dynamischen Auftrieb zugrunde liegenden Gesetzmäßigkeiten besonders anschaulich darzustellen.

Dem armen Kind Charlotte Sophia, zart, unschuldig und aus gutem Hause, spielt das Schicksal übel mit. Szene für Szene gerät ihr junges Leben an immer fiesere Menschen und in immer tiefere Abgründe. Alle treten das unglückliche Mädchen mit Füßen oder nutzen es schamlos aus. Ein tragisches Dasein mit einem leider noch tragischeren Ende, inspiriert von einem Filmklassiker von 1913 und gezeichnet vom Meister der schönst verschrobenen Bilderwelten. Nicht umsonst gehört Das unglückselige Kind zu den vielbesprochenen Hauptwerken Edward Goreys. Jetzt ist es in der Neuübersetzung von Clemens J. Setz wiederzuentdecken.

Available for the first time in one volume, this trilogy contains three complete, entertaining adventures of the lovable child Treehorn: The Shrinking of Treehorn, Treehorn's Treasure, and Treehorn's Wish.

Vegetarischen Menschen zur Warnung, Fleischabhängigen zum Trost: Auch Gemüse kann gefährlich sein! Eine elegante Frau. Eine anziehende Pflanze. Eine bittere Lehre. Edward Goreys fein gezeichnete Rübenfabel in der ersten deutschen Übersetzung von Büchnerpreisträger Clemens J. Setz. Filda ist eine alleinstehende Dame in einer großen Stadt irgendwann zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts. Sie kocht gern, und ihr täglicher Spaziergang ist ihr wichtig. Auf einem dieser Gänge stößt sie auf ein auffälliges Pflänzchen, das ungewöhnlich schnell wächst und sie magisch anzieht. Was hat sie da entdeckt? Vielleicht ein besonders schmackhaftes Gemüse? Filda wird es bald erfahren.