By Lori Mortensen
Illustrated by Chloe Bristol
Boston: Versify, 2020. Picture book biography.
Often called the godfather of goth, Edward Gorey is one of those very famous people you may never have heard of. A child prodigy who taught himself to draw by his first birthday and read by his third, Edward Gorey grew up with a special interest in the macabre. As a child he read quaint, sweet stories and frightening tales, and as an adult he wrote, illustrated, and self-published over 100 books that were a little bit of both - sort of sweet, but dark and creepy.
There is almost no point in writing a biography about Edward Gorey unless you are prepared to match his demented eccentricity - fortunately, this book strikes just the right tone. Chloe Bristol's illustrations are sketchy, dismal, and moody and a perfect match for this quirky book that celebrates the value of being yourself. This book pays a subtle homage in lyrical tone and overall aesthetic to the man who served as an inspiration for our favorite dark artists like Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Burton. If you've never heard of Edward Gorey, start here. If you're familiar with his twisted sense of humor, let this book help you fall in love with him all over again.
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