Nonsense!: The Curious Story of Edward Gorey

Edward Gorey worked quietly in a publisher's art department until he began to write and illustrate small, odd books himself. A peculiar blend of Edwardian preciousness and Gothic menace, his creations appalled some and enchanted others. Mimicking, possibly, the over-the-top speaking style for which Gorey was famous, Mortensen (Away with Words) describes his childhood ("And oh, did he read!"), his time in the army and at Harvard ("Who was that 'tall and spooky' chap?"), his early career, and the publication of his books. Bristol (the Winterhouse series) does the heavy lifting, duplicating Gorey's style throughout with remarkable conviction, capturing his long, rail-like human figures, their haunted expressions, and their elegant clothing. She even contributes Gorey-fied drawings of Alice (of Wonderland) and Dracula, illustrating Gorey's seminal childhood experience of reading the two classics one right after the other. Despite its insistence that Gorey's nonsense can't be analyzed ("It would be the height of folly" to take it seriously, he said), the work comes off as a long and self-conscious attempt to explain what made Gorey's work so singular. Ages 4-7. Author's agent: Liza Voges, Eden Street. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3 Up—With straightforward, rhythmic prose and deliciously atmospheric illustrations, this picture book biography of Edward Gorey distills his unconventional life and career into a format that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Gorey's individualism is celebrated without being caricatured, and the narrative traces his life from childhood through higher education and his eventual career as a writer and illustrator. Although he was sometimes criticized for the content and darkness of his work, this book assures readers, "It would be 'the height of folly' to take his work seriously," because, as the final page declares, "It was just Edward being Edward." Bristol's sepia-toned illustrations echo the Gothic sensibility of Gorey's art. Mortensen's conversational narrative is pitch perfect, evoking the rhythm and style of her subject's prose and the works inspired by him. The detailed author's note and list of sources make this book something that could work equally well as a classroom read-aloud and as a resource for an independent study. It could also serve as a mentor text for writing prompts and art exercises. VERDICT This playful picture book biography is a wonderful and unique introduction to Edward Gorey's life and work. Purchase for classroom and library nonfiction collections.—Jen McConnel, Queen's University, Ont.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ "A stellar biography, as creepy and fun as its subject." —Kirkus, STARRED review

★ "With straightforward, rhythmic prose and deliciously atmospheric illustrations....This playful picture book biography is a wonderful and unique introduction to Edward Gorey's life and work." —School Library Journal, STARRED review

"Readers will get a good sense of this curious, imaginative man, as well as quiet affirmation that being different is interesting—and interesting stories are the very best kind." —Booklist

"[Bristol duplicates] Gorey's style throughout with remarkable conviction, capturing his long, rail-like human figures, their haunted expressions, and their elegant clothing." —Publishers Weekly

"How odd and how lovely: a picture book biography about an author who is unlikely to turn up in the school curriculum.... Bristol complements the mood with deep earthtoned illustrations that pay tribute to Gorey's own work and to writers and artists he influenced." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books