"Even from a young age, Edward had a flair
for doing things his own delightfully peculiar
way, like painting his toenails green and
strutting down a fancy street in bare feet --
daring to live the life he imagined."
I must admit I have not been a fan of Edward Gorey's work. I cannot tell you why, as I can't explain it to myself. That ended when I read this new book by Matthew Burgess, an author whose work I greatly admire. He brought Mr. Gorey to life for me in this incredible picture book biography that he has written in three acts: childhood and early adulthood (1925-1953) midlife (1953-1983), and advancing years (1983-2000). He paints a picture that will long live in my memory.
Edward was an early artist, an early reader, and a strong and gifted student. At the same time, he was a boy who marched to the beat of his own heart, and lived his life as he wanted to live it. He owned an alligator as a child, and loved cats his whole life. Life after high school offered various opportunities, including service in the army, before he attended Harvard where he continued to develop as a writer and artist.
A move to New York led to further work, including art exhibitions and publishing his written works under his own imprint, the Fantod Press. His love of ballet, and attendance at almost every performance for more than twenty years, enhanced his creative nature and unleashed his imagination at every turn. People loved his work; he was given the opportunity to design costumes and sets for Dracula, a smash hit on Broadway. Not interested in the fame it offered, Edward made the decision to leave the city for Cape Cod, and a house by the sea where he lived with his six cats.
"Formerly owned by a sea captain,
it was a squeaky, creaky, leaky fixer-upper,
but Edward made it home.
Here, he could write and draw in peace,
and, of course, enjoy his six cats' acrobatics."
His life there afforded him many luxuries: collecting and saving, building a personal and extensive library, and continuing to author books and create local theater performances.
"Edward was content to do his own thing,
in his own way, in his own time."
Not much better than that! This is a brilliant book, one of my favorites of 2024. I will forever look at Edward Gorey's works with different eyes.
Marc Majewski, using bold, acrylic colors, brings Edward to clear life through the three 'acts' portrayed here. His attention to detail and ability to represent an iconic and eccentric artist make the book a most memorable read. Through his art, he brings awareness for readers of city life, the breadth of Mr. Gorey's passion for collecting, many of his characters, the work he did for stage productions, and his idyllic life in Cape Cod.
Back matter includes an informative and personal author’s note, a bibliography, a list of quotations and their sources, a photograph of Edward Gorey with one of his cats, and a chronology of his impressive and singular life.
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