Published on August 06, 2024
Nonsense- The Curious Story of Edward Gorey- by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Chloe Bristol (2020)
Reviewed by Elizabeth DeVincenzo
This picture book biography introduces children to eccentric American artist and author of the whimsical and the macabre, Edward Gorey. Born in Chicago in 1925, Edward loved reading and drawing from a young age and excelled in school, skipping many grades. When he was 18, he was drafted into the army as a company clerk, which he described as a “ghastly place”. He left to attend Harvard University where he began to develop his unique style of dressing wearing fur coats and lots of rings which became his trademark. At Harvard, Edward met other writers and wrote poems, plays, and prose, but remained undecided on what to do with his life. In 1953, he moved to New York City and got a job in the art department of a book publisher illustrating and designing other people’s book covers. After work, Edward began writing and illustrating his own stories that were a mix of sweetness, darkness, and silliness. Rejected by publishers, Edward started his own company, Fantod Press and began publishing his own books. No one had ever read stories like his before with titles such as “The Unstrung Harp, The Galoshes of Remorse”, and “The Gashlycrumb Tinies”. Instead of illustrating with color, his gothic illustrations were rendered in pen and ink and composed of sketchy black lines. His stories were met with criticism by some. His book “The Beastly Baby” was ripped to shreds and mailed back to him by some angry mothers. This did not deter Edward from continuing to write and illustrate books that made people uncomfortable: the sinister mixed with nonsense. When asked what his stories meant, Edward refused to answer and encouraged people to use their imagination to interpret them. Chloe Bristol’s illustrations rendered in pencil and painted digitally are reminiscent of Edward’s style. Author Lori Mortenson tells Edward’s story in rhythmic, playful prose also invoking the spirit of Edward. Recommended for fans of a “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and those who are interested in learning about eccentric, creative people. Also a good addition for a library display for American Artist Appreciation Month in August. Included is an author’s note with more biographical information about Edward, a list of internet sources, and a bibliography for further reading.
Target age: Ages 4-7
School Library Journal 02/01/2020 pg. 86 (EAN 9780358033684, Hardcover) - *Starred Review