Amphigorey

by Edward Gorey

220 pages

English language

Published Sept. 7, 1981 by Perigee Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-399-50433-4

(9 reviews)

An illustrated collection of 15 macabre short stories.

In this gorgeously detailed volume, American artist and author Edward Gorey accents amphigory (nonsense verse or composition) with his signature cross-hatched pen-and-ink drawings. A mix of poetry and prose, light-hearted and decidedly more morbid storytelling, the book is sure to satisfy both fans of art and lovers of short stories alike.

Stories included: "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" "The Remembered Visit"

8 editions

Cori H. Spenzich reviewed Amphigorey by Edward Gorey

Review of 'Amphigorey' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I was a fan of "The Doubtful Guest," "The Gashlycrumb Tinies," and "The Unstrung Harp." Outside of those three, the rest seemed okay.

Some were strange kids stories or limericks, and others felt like illustrared dreams or surrealist short stories, of which some felt vaguely open and random (such as "The Object-Lesson").

Giving it 3 / 5 star rating, but I do really love how much inspiration and influence Edward Gorey has had on other artists and projects (Tim Burton, "Notes on A Case of Melancholia" by Nicholas Gurewitch, "The End of The World" by Don Hertzfeldt, and others).

For gothic absurdity, madness, dark humor, and tragedy -- Edward Gorey's illustrations are the place to be.