The World of Edward Gorey

Perennial favorites such as The Doubtful Guest, The Insect God, and The Fatal Lozenge, which have been collected in the award-winning Amphigorey anthologies; set and costume designs for Dracula; illustrations for books such as Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot; and of course the animated credits for the Mystery! series on public television have won Edward Gorey one of the most intensely loyal followings of any artist today. Coupled with his offbeat literary humor are the black-ink line drawings that we have come to know so well. An author of some forty years standing, Edward Gorey now moves center stage as the star of this book: a full-scale monograph that explores his roles as artist, illustrator, writer, and theater designer. The World of Edward Gorey introduces readers to Gorey himself by way of an interview with artist Clifford Ross. Here we learn about Gorey's unusually agile mind, his immense and diverse interests, and his deep knowledge of art. From there, art critic Karen Wilkin takes us on a voyage through Corey's world, analyzing the evolution and sources of the artist's style and situating it within a tradition of narrative art, of high and popular culture. Both important and lesser-known works are discussed, amplified by 200 illustrations made by Gorey.