4.50

5

Apr 16, 2007

this is not a book review so much as a fulfillment of a request by ladies whose whims i cannot refuse...

R(est) I(n) P(ubescence): A Study of Child Mortality in Battle Royale and The Gashlycrumb Tinies as Historical Documents

edward gorey was an american illustrator, and as such his children, or "tinies", meet their ends in very american ways. they all have "accidents" befall them. (excluding the suspiciously-like-suicide situations of zillah, neville, and james) this book is seemingly this is not a book review so much as a fulfillment of a request by ladies whose whims i cannot refuse...

R(est) I(n) P(ubescence): A Study of Child Mortality in Battle Royale and The Gashlycrumb Tinies as Historical Documents

edward gorey was an american illustrator, and as such his children, or "tinies", meet their ends in very american ways. they all have "accidents" befall them. (excluding the suspiciously-like-suicide situations of zillah, neville, and james) this book is seemingly representative of the american attitude towards blame, circa 1963. everything that happens is unfortunate, but the parents are not responsible. what was ida doing by the lake when she drowned? probably eating apple pie and supporting our troops. and rhoda was simply lighting 4th of july sparklers when she became consumed by fires. written today, all of these drawings would be followed by a panel indicating what steps were taken w/r/t litigation, after the children's deaths. the peach orchards would be sued for allowing ernest to choke upon a peach stone, the train company would be paying for victor's death for years to come. but this historical artifact is an exercise in cause rather than effect, and certainly free of affect. it is coldhearted american realism with an anti-abortion message. if there are stairs, your children will fall down them, so the more children you make, the less you have to actually look after them. just play the odds...

battle royale on the other hand, takes the japanese perspective. japan is a country smaller than california, but it has about a zillion people on it. their concerns, as depicted in this novel seem to be about downsizing their population, and embracing martial darwinism. suicide is not an option for the japanese - that is military old hat (helmet?) for them, and far less entertaining than drugging an entire class of children and making them fight each other to the death on an island while wearing schoolgirl miniskirts. this is a bold political move to bring in some revenue, and to make room for their businessmen and oversized monsters. only the strong and the crazy will survive, and that is predicted to make for the most interesting gene pool.

here, the children are expendable, as they are in gorey's tract, but ultimately the two philosophies have different endgoals. gorey claims "yes, your parental fears are valid - children are fragile and will inevitably come to harm," which encourages americans to stay in their bedrooms, ignore the children they already have (who are going to fall whether they are being watched or not) and make more babies for america, while in battle royale, the teens have their intercourses during the actual games, so that murder and death are shown to be the most effective forms of birth control, which keeps the population down, and lessens the need for future battles.

kids are gonna die, it's a fact of life.
but some are gonna go out in a blaze of glory with a scythe.

come to my blog! ...more

5

May 10, 2018

“A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.

....naturally, I would start with my name, right? Right?

I feel so bad saying how much I enjoyed this one....It's Edward Gorey, people! One of the artists that defined the Gothic illustrating style as we know it today. Influenced with Victorian and Edwardian elements, this alphabet book is everything an alphabet book shouldn't be (...and I am not making any sense...) because it's morbid to the core. But I loved it. And I am a teacher. And what does this “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.

....naturally, I would start with my name, right? Right?

I feel so bad saying how much I enjoyed this one....It's Edward Gorey, people! One of the artists that defined the Gothic illustrating style as we know it today. Influenced with Victorian and Edwardian elements, this alphabet book is everything an alphabet book shouldn't be (...and I am not making any sense...) because it's morbid to the core. But I loved it. And I am a teacher. And what does this say for me? ...Also, I am horrible...

This is an abecederian book written in 26 couplets. 26 tiny poems for 26 tinies who met an untimely demise in some quiet peculiar, bleak and utterly gothic ways. One was thrown out of a sleigh, another was smothered under a rug and a third one died of ennui. I know this would be a book that will be difficult to stomach for some readers but if we try and ignore the macabre of the situations, then the entertaining factor is right there. Plus, it's Edward Gorey. One cannot write a review on any of his works. He is meant to be experienced, his artistic style, his particular way of writing, his uniqueness...Trust me, you won't be disappointed...

''Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in.''

....this Bard is everywhere....

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.word... ...more

5

Dec 12, 2017

I loved this little book. I love Edward Gorey. This is a book of ABCs and each letter is how a child died. I know this is macabre and quirky. I think being the end of my trimester and drained of sleep, I simply was dying laughing at each page of this book. I don't know why. It was the release that I needed apparently.

The art is classic Gorey and only he would be quirky enough to use ennui. This is amazing stuff and I think this stuff is rather brilliant. And, it is a good stress reliever, I loved this little book. I love Edward Gorey. This is a book of ABCs and each letter is how a child died. I know this is macabre and quirky. I think being the end of my trimester and drained of sleep, I simply was dying laughing at each page of this book. I don't know why. It was the release that I needed apparently.

The art is classic Gorey and only he would be quirky enough to use ennui. This is amazing stuff and I think this stuff is rather brilliant. And, it is a good stress reliever, apparently.

This is not for everyone, but if you like quirky and different, I think you will enjoy this master's work. This is probably my favorite of Edward's so far! ...more

4

Mar 04, 2017

or... After the Outing

Wew, weird, dark, absurd.... but intriguing...
In short, A-Z alphabet but a morbid one. Children who tragically parted with life...
A is for Amy who fell down the stairs...
B is for Basil assaulted by bears...
And so on until Z.
Black & white drawings. Absurd, the weirdest collection....
Second Gorey for me, what an artist....

Anyone have a recommendation for my next Edward Gorey?

5

May 08, 2016

I have a love-hate relationship towards creepy children's books. During my childhood, they used to scare the hell out of me - in those days the enlightened souls who wrote children's books were of the opinion that scaring the living daylights out of a kid was the best way to ensure that he grew up to be an upright human being. But I went back, again and again. They must have inculcated the enduring love of horror that I have today.

This is an alphabet book - or A B C book as we Indians call it - I have a love-hate relationship towards creepy children's books. During my childhood, they used to scare the hell out of me - in those days the enlightened souls who wrote children's books were of the opinion that scaring the living daylights out of a kid was the best way to ensure that he grew up to be an upright human being. But I went back, again and again. They must have inculcated the enduring love of horror that I have today.

This is an alphabet book - or A B C book as we Indians call it - which attempts to teach each letter of the alphabet with an example. But instead of the "A for Apple, B for Ball" we have kids who met their end in various unusual and gruesome ways. And the accompanying pictures are creepy and funny at the same time. I mean, how many kids "die of ennui"? ...more

5

May 09, 2016

Every time I read a disturbing book, I'm gripped by the thought of wanting to make my future children read it (don't know what that says about me). I mean, this book is perfect- a perfect cocktail of morbidity, poetry, beautiful art and the funnies.

This is a book about 26 children (or as Gorey calls them, tinies) each for a different alphabet who meet a Gorey (heh) end.

It's beautiful!



And it's a book with a lesson- we all are mortals, we're all bound to die sometime.

Bah, fairy tales with high Every time I read a disturbing book, I'm gripped by the thought of wanting to make my future children read it (don't know what that says about me). I mean, this book is perfect- a perfect cocktail of morbidity, poetry, beautiful art and the funnies.

This is a book about 26 children (or as Gorey calls them, tinies) each for a different alphabet who meet a Gorey (heh) end.

It's beautiful!



And it's a book with a lesson- we all are mortals, we're all bound to die sometime.

Bah, fairy tales with high unrealistic quotients. Give me some disturbing children's book any day.

...more

4

Oct 31, 2013

I've met the guy that inspired the awesome Tim Burton, finally. And as I figured, his weird awesomeness is breathtaking.
This is a book apparently for children (it is NOT) that, with quite a morbid sense of humor, teaches the alphabet. Twenty-six ways to die and lovely pictures describing each one of them.
This would have been such a funny way to learn the alphabet, although I'd probably be a hypochondriac or a sociopath by now. Who knows.

My letter is F


Now that's a bad way to go.


Nov 10, 13
* Also I've met the guy that inspired the awesome Tim Burton, finally. And as I figured, his weird awesomeness is breathtaking.
This is a book apparently for children (it is NOT) that, with quite a morbid sense of humor, teaches the alphabet. Twenty-six ways to die and lovely pictures describing each one of them.
This would have been such a funny way to learn the alphabet, although I'd probably be a hypochondriac or a sociopath by now. Who knows.

My letter is F


Now that's a bad way to go.


Nov 10, 13
* Also on my blog.
** Photo credit: Edward Gorey ...more

4

Aug 05, 2016

C is for CLARA who wasted away
D is for DESMOND thrown out of a sleigh



A clever, short, picture book. Think of a macabre, Victorian 'Dumb Ways to Die', decorated with dark drawings of 26 children named from A (Amy) to Z (Zillah). The pictures and words describe all the ways this alphabet soup of children met their unfortunate ends:

K is for KATE who was struck with an axe
L is for LEO who swallowed some tacks

As you can see, most of these child deaths find themselves as a link in a dark couplet. C is for CLARA who wasted away
D is for DESMOND thrown out of a sleigh



A clever, short, picture book. Think of a macabre, Victorian 'Dumb Ways to Die', decorated with dark drawings of 26 children named from A (Amy) to Z (Zillah). The pictures and words describe all the ways this alphabet soup of children met their unfortunate ends:

K is for KATE who was struck with an axe
L is for LEO who swallowed some tacks

As you can see, most of these child deaths find themselves as a link in a dark couplet. Anyway, it was fun, morbid and diverting (unless you knew a child who died from axes or tacks, lakes or mistakes). ...more

5

Oct 14, 2012

Probably Gorey's most famous work, clever and lightly (?) sardonic and meticulously crafted. An abecedarian book. Told in dactylic (look it up!) couplets about each of 26 (one for each letter of the alphabet) children and how they met their untimely deaths. Sound horrific? It's very fun and funny and for all ages. I have read this book many times, and own it, as you all should.

5

Sep 01, 2012

Twenty-six different ways to die!

Now, I am no stranger when it comes to reading dark and morbid books for children since I had read children’s books such as “Halloween ABC” and “The Spider and the Fly” which were just as morbid. But “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” was one of the first children’s books I have read that is about several different ways for kids to die! “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is a picture book written and illustrated by Edward Gorey and it is a book that will truly cause every reader’s Twenty-six different ways to die!

Now, I am no stranger when it comes to reading dark and morbid books for children since I had read children’s books such as “Halloween ABC” and “The Spider and the Fly” which were just as morbid. But “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” was one of the first children’s books I have read that is about several different ways for kids to die! “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is a picture book written and illustrated by Edward Gorey and it is a book that will truly cause every reader’s hairs to stick up at their ends!

This book is basically set up as reciting the alphabet by detailing every child’s name that starts with the letters of the alphabet and how each child dies, such as one poem about a boy named Basil being assaulted by bears.

Now, the moment you see the image of a skeleton dressed in a black overcoat and top hat carrying a black umbrella and looming over several children on the cover of this book, then you will know that this book is no ordinary book for children. Edward Gorey has certainly created a unique and spooky children’s book that actually details how each child dies, which is a scary concept for young children and is usually not taken likely. I really enjoyed the simplistic way that Edward Gorey had written this book as there are mostly about eight to ten words per page making it easier for children to get a grasp on the concept of this book. I also enjoyed the fact that this book is used as a way to introduce the alphabet to children, just like how “Halloween ABC” introduced the alphabet to children in a morbid way. Edward Gorey had done an excellent job at providing a dark and horrific atmosphere for this book as the majority of this book is focused on different ways a child dies and I may sound a bit morbid myself when I say this, but I really enjoyed seeing all the different ways that the characters were dying in this book. Some of my favorite sentences in this book included:

“K is for Kate who was struck with an axe.

R is for Rhoda consumed by a fire.

Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in.”

[image error]

Edward Gorey’s illustrations are truly spooky and dramatic at the same time as the images are mainly in black and white colorings that truly give off the spooky feel of this book. I really loved the way that Edward Gorey made the illustrations have an Old Victorian feel as the characters seem like they are drawn into an old-fashioned horror film.

THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR SMALL CHILDREN!

Parents should know that this book is a bit too scary for smaller children since it details the theme of death and it explores different ways that the children in this book die. Now, the images are not as graphic as the text implies, although there is one image that details a young girl named Kate being struck by an axe and the image shows a little girl being covered in blood with an axe being embedded into her body. Parents might want to make sure that their children can handle dark imagery and themes in certain books that are considered too dark.


Overall, speaking as an adult who loves morbid and creepy books, “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is a truly brilliant book that fans of books that are creepy and morbid will greatly enjoy for many years to come! Now speaking as an adult who is trying to figure out the right age set that this book should be aimed at, I would recommend this book to children ages seven and up since the theme of death would be a bit too scary for smaller children and it could easily give them nightmares for a long time.


Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog ...more

5

Nov 24, 2008

"N is for Neville who died of ennui."

Ha! Perfection!

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is a work of utterly fantastic macabre hilarity. It's one of those books you cackle maniacally over while flipping through it after a run-in at the local Mega-Mart with some snot-nosed brat screeching and howling because Mommy wouldn't let him get that ridiculously expensive new toy or some treat with 20,000 grams of sugar.

And it never loses that special ghastly charm. Quick, simple, and simply hilarious, it's enjoyable "N is for Neville who died of ennui."

Ha! Perfection!

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is a work of utterly fantastic macabre hilarity. It's one of those books you cackle maniacally over while flipping through it after a run-in at the local Mega-Mart with some snot-nosed brat screeching and howling because Mommy wouldn't let him get that ridiculously expensive new toy or some treat with 20,000 grams of sugar.

And it never loses that special ghastly charm. Quick, simple, and simply hilarious, it's enjoyable no matter how many times you revisit it. Because really, even if you're someone who generally adores children, I dare you not to snicker darkly over such abecedarian dactylic delights as: B is for Basil assaulted by bears; and T is for Titus who flew into bits.

No, really.

I dare you.

Go. Read. Laugh. You won't be sorry. (And if you are, then I implore you, please, venture out and find yourself one of those elusive yet magical things known commonly as a Sense of Freaking Humor.) ...more

4

Jul 17, 2008

A singsong story
by Edward Gorey
full of cheerful black and grey illustrations

each one of a kid
at the moment they did
meet a tragic and early termination.

By wolf maw and knife
they depart from this life,
by drowning, falling and decapitation

until each one is slewn
and their bodies are strewn
all about Gorey's morbid imagination.

The funniest aspect of this, I believe, is the way each picture shows the child right before the tragedy occurs. For instance, the girl about to die of poisoning is shown A singsong story
by Edward Gorey
full of cheerful black and grey illustrations

each one of a kid
at the moment they did
meet a tragic and early termination.

By wolf maw and knife
they depart from this life,
by drowning, falling and decapitation

until each one is slewn
and their bodies are strewn
all about Gorey's morbid imagination.

The funniest aspect of this, I believe, is the way each picture shows the child right before the tragedy occurs. For instance, the girl about to die of poisoning is shown sitting down with her hand on her tummy, making a slightly worried face. The girl who gets impaled is shown tossing a big metal rod up in the air. And I just love the little boy that dies of ennui. ...more

4

May 21, 2015

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is an adorable, morbid way to learn your ABCs. I especially loved 'K is for Kate who was struck with an axe'. I don't know what that says about me.

4

Oct 01, 2019

I had never heard of this author until Neil Gaiman mentioned this book. Oh, and how I’ve missed out!

Gorey was a multi-talented writer, creating about 100 books during his life and also working as a playwright, set and costume designer and more. He was also quite sarcastic and morbid and I love that about him!

This book teaches young and old readers the alphabet in a VERY unique sort of way - by showing children whose names begin with the respective letters of the alphabet and the way they’ve I had never heard of this author until Neil Gaiman mentioned this book. Oh, and how I’ve missed out!

Gorey was a multi-talented writer, creating about 100 books during his life and also working as a playwright, set and costume designer and more. He was also quite sarcastic and morbid and I love that about him!

This book teaches young and old readers the alphabet in a VERY unique sort of way - by showing children whose names begin with the respective letters of the alphabet and the way they’ve died. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Just one example, also to show the weird and dark, yet wonderfully detailed and atmospheric illustrations this author seems to be famous for:





Great stuff to look at in Spooktober and yes, I have another one by this author that promises to be just as sardonic. *cheers* ...more

4

May 14, 2016

The moral of this, children - just don't be born into an Edward Gorey story. An axe through the frontal lobe is not very good for your health. Being eaten by a bear may also disrupt your promising future. It's just better not to.

5

May 28, 2019

I absolutely loved this book! It was a super quick read with gothic style pictures and a poetic rhythm of writing!

This book may offend some people with how the world seems to be going these days, but I found the sarcasm and humor hilarious. It reminded me of the Addams Family and their dark, beautiful humor!

A side note: I accidentally stumbled upon this book in a small bookstore while vacationing. I had no idea this little masterpiece even existed! Yes, I will be reading more from this author. I absolutely loved this book! It was a super quick read with gothic style pictures and a poetic rhythm of writing!

This book may offend some people with how the world seems to be going these days, but I found the sarcasm and humor hilarious. It reminded me of the Addams Family and their dark, beautiful humor!

A side note: I accidentally stumbled upon this book in a small bookstore while vacationing. I had no idea this little masterpiece even existed! Yes, I will be reading more from this author. Give me all his books, please! ...more

5

Sep 15, 2009

An alphabetical romp through various escapades undertaken by diffent people, all of whom look likely to meet an untimely end such as "N is for Neville who died of ennui" (my favourite) as he stares out of a window prior to presuambly departing this life! The usual ghastly interesting illustrations from the author add to the overall effect.

5

Feb 01, 2012

Wonderful, almost indescribable. Do yourself a favor...go and find a copy of this perversely delightful little book immediately. Enjoy!

5

Feb 02, 2016

Gorey's most famous alphabet book, set to rhyme, begins "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and continues on with a litany of gruesome accidents, churning its way through 26 very unfortunate children, accompanied by his delightfully dark drawings. I used to have this in poster form, but alas, it too fell to disaster. But happy day (ironically), it comes in book form. I bought this at Left Bank books in Pike Place Market, "the anarchist bookstore." Support your local small bookstores! Gorey's most famous alphabet book, set to rhyme, begins "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and continues on with a litany of gruesome accidents, churning its way through 26 very unfortunate children, accompanied by his delightfully dark drawings. I used to have this in poster form, but alas, it too fell to disaster. But happy day (ironically), it comes in book form. I bought this at Left Bank books in Pike Place Market, "the anarchist bookstore." Support your local small bookstores! http://www.leftbankbooks.com/ ...more

5

Mar 12, 2017

This is a book that I originally purchased YEARS ago, that was later "acquired" by someone else.... I just bought myself a new copy, and had nearly forgotten how clever the words (and illustrations!) were.

*Not a children's book--but it is a "fun" read! ;) *

5

Jan 10, 2015

An A-Z of macabre ways different children die. As awful as that sounds, this is a fun, quick read. The highlight:(view spoiler)["N is for Neville who died of ennui." (hide spoiler)]

4

Jun 18, 2015

Right. This'll give me nightmares.

I don't know why I do this to myself.

5

Jan 22, 2018

I love a good convergence! Two weeks ago, I pulled this book as part of my Friday volunteer gig at my neighborhood library. It caught my eye and I thought I'd have to check it out soon. On the same day, I saw this wonderful tribute to Sue Grafton of the "Alphabet Mysteries" from NPR's Fresh Air . https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01...

In it she said . . . "she got the idea after reading Edward Gorey's alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, in which children die in grisly ways ("B is I love a good convergence! Two weeks ago, I pulled this book as part of my Friday volunteer gig at my neighborhood library. It caught my eye and I thought I'd have to check it out soon. On the same day, I saw this wonderful tribute to Sue Grafton of the "Alphabet Mysteries" from NPR's Fresh Air . https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01...

In it she said . . . "she got the idea after reading Edward Gorey's alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, in which children die in grisly ways ("B is for Basil assaulted by bears," "G is for George smothered under a rug" and so on)." I love that she got the idea for her popular mystery series so serendipitously!

As you would expect from Gorey, this is a dark, twisted and utterly delightful A-Z series of drawings and couplets telling how children met their fate, as in the "B" and "G" in Grafton's quote. My favorite couplet?

E is for ERNEST who choked on a peach
F is for FANNY sucked dry by a leech. ...more

5

Sep 20, 2017

Pro-tip: if you use this book to teach your kids the alphabet, Child Services will appear instantaneously and take them away.

In other words, this is delightfully morbid and perfectly illustrated, and I think my favorite is "B is for Basil, assaulted by bears."

5

Oct 01, 2009

It has dawned on me that Edward Gorey stole all of my good ideas. Before I ever had them.