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Something At The Window Is Scratching
The author of two other books; Something at the Window is Scratching and the Monsters in my Tummy, Roman Dirge has carved a niche for himself as one of the masters of dark humor. The Monsters in my Tummy comes straight from the heart and is Mr. Dirge's best work to date.
120 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
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433 people want to read
About the author
Roman Dirge
82 books390 followersRoman Dirge (born on April 29, 1972) is an artist and magician, and the creator of the Lenore comic-book series; he currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Told by his art teachers that he would never make it as an artist due to his crude style, he quit art and became a full-time magician. After a few years, his passion for art overtook him and he created the comic about Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl for Xenophobe magazine. The comic strips were later seen by Dan Vado, president of Slave Labor
Told by his art teachers that he would never make it as an artist due to his crude style, he quit art and became a full-time magician. After a few years, his passion for art overtook him and he created the comic about Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl for Xenophobe magazine. The comic strips were later seen by Dan Vado, president of Slave Labor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 24, 2016
Odd, creepy illustrations for poems for children. Dirge, who also wrote Lenore: The Cute Little Dead Girl (which I still haven’t yet read) says “This is a collection of children's tales for disturbed children.” Ha! Nice.
This guy is working in the same macabre territory and seems to be inspired by Edward Gorey, but this work seems definitely younger. It actually feels more like Tim Burton territory. The drawings are cute and strange, and the poems are pretty good, often worth a few smiles. I liked it!
Here’s an example of his art, which has also made its way into animation in various places:
https://www.google.com/search?q=roman...
This guy is working in the same macabre territory and seems to be inspired by Edward Gorey, but this work seems definitely younger. It actually feels more like Tim Burton territory. The drawings are cute and strange, and the poems are pretty good, often worth a few smiles. I liked it!
Here’s an example of his art, which has also made its way into animation in various places:
https://www.google.com/search?q=roman...
May 3, 2022
I'm so so so so happy🥺💕
January 25, 2020
A book of illustrated poems by the author/artist of "Lenore: the Cute Little Dead Girl".
Dirge's illustrations are 90% of the book's 'umph' - they're colorful and twisted, reminiscent of Gorey's work if they were splashed with some unicorn vomit of rainbows and with softened lines. My favorites were "Critter Pie" and "Peter the Pirate Squid". I liked these stories more than I did "Lenore".
Dirge's illustrations are 90% of the book's 'umph' - they're colorful and twisted, reminiscent of Gorey's work if they were splashed with some unicorn vomit of rainbows and with softened lines. My favorites were "Critter Pie" and "Peter the Pirate Squid". I liked these stories more than I did "Lenore".
July 13, 2020
Fantastic illustrations . . .
March 8, 2016
2.5 personal rating
Review written for and published by Portland Book Review on January 19th:
Something at the Window is Scratching is a collection of macabre poems and slightly disturbing matching illustrations. Author Roman Dirge is most well known for his series Lenore: The Cute Little Dead Girl, a cult classic comic book series. The book’s wonderfully demented forward is penned by none other than Jhonen Vasquez, of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Invader Zim fame, and does a fabulous job of setting the tone for the book.
The poems in the book vary in length from just two lines, to several pages, and each page of text has a matching companion illustration. The book’s poems are often rhyming couplets, and are full of half or slant rhymes. A few of the poems fall flat, or don’t quite live up to the punch line. Other poems may have benefitted from not having an illustration on every page. The book is very reminiscent of Tim Burton’s The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories, and fans of his style of dark humor and quirky illustrations will likely find enjoyment in Something at the Window is Scratching. However, others may feel that Roman’s collection is subpar when compared to Tim Burton’s, and that it feels like a poor imitation of the real thing.
This hardcover edition has a solid binding, glossy pages that highlight the illustrations, and features a cute, if slightly creepy, cover. While definitely not a book for everyone – and one that many may find more disturbing than charming – dark humored individuals may want to take a look, and fans of Lenore will want to get their hands on this colorful and creepy collection.
Review written for and published by Portland Book Review on January 19th:
Something at the Window is Scratching is a collection of macabre poems and slightly disturbing matching illustrations. Author Roman Dirge is most well known for his series Lenore: The Cute Little Dead Girl, a cult classic comic book series. The book’s wonderfully demented forward is penned by none other than Jhonen Vasquez, of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Invader Zim fame, and does a fabulous job of setting the tone for the book.
The poems in the book vary in length from just two lines, to several pages, and each page of text has a matching companion illustration. The book’s poems are often rhyming couplets, and are full of half or slant rhymes. A few of the poems fall flat, or don’t quite live up to the punch line. Other poems may have benefitted from not having an illustration on every page. The book is very reminiscent of Tim Burton’s The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories, and fans of his style of dark humor and quirky illustrations will likely find enjoyment in Something at the Window is Scratching. However, others may feel that Roman’s collection is subpar when compared to Tim Burton’s, and that it feels like a poor imitation of the real thing.
This hardcover edition has a solid binding, glossy pages that highlight the illustrations, and features a cute, if slightly creepy, cover. While definitely not a book for everyone – and one that many may find more disturbing than charming – dark humored individuals may want to take a look, and fans of Lenore will want to get their hands on this colorful and creepy collection.
May 11, 2017
"All I really know now is kids have a quality about them that let's them be insane, and gives them a playful lunacy that, quite simply, kicks ass. To successfully hold on to that quality and add it to things learned while and upon growing up is something akin to a super weapon against reality."
Found often amongst the tweets, texts and posts in the modern millennial, is a wistful nostalgia for a time not particularly long ago. Constant slamming of the filtered moments of others brought front and center to our minds creates a fear of loss. Loss of time. Loss of friends. Loss of youth. We were all in such a rush to get to THAT place and now that we are here, in our kingdom of ruin, we want out. We lost our imagination. The ability to create! To become an alchemist of negative and pessimistic and transmute such an powerful overbearing force, into a light(er) existence! Thank you for reminding me, sir, of the power of imagination. Closing quote, from the foreword.
"Okay, this thing ended up something so much more dreary than I had intended, but I got a semblance of a point across (not an easy task at times) , and I think that point is clear to anyone who was actually paying attention:
Children are criminally insane and must be destroyed."
Found often amongst the tweets, texts and posts in the modern millennial, is a wistful nostalgia for a time not particularly long ago. Constant slamming of the filtered moments of others brought front and center to our minds creates a fear of loss. Loss of time. Loss of friends. Loss of youth. We were all in such a rush to get to THAT place and now that we are here, in our kingdom of ruin, we want out. We lost our imagination. The ability to create! To become an alchemist of negative and pessimistic and transmute such an powerful overbearing force, into a light(er) existence! Thank you for reminding me, sir, of the power of imagination. Closing quote, from the foreword.
"Okay, this thing ended up something so much more dreary than I had intended, but I got a semblance of a point across (not an easy task at times) , and I think that point is clear to anyone who was actually paying attention:
Children are criminally insane and must be destroyed."
April 30, 2015
I loved this book, it was a super light read.
It was so funny but a bit dark i guess.
Its just a bunch of short stories and super spookie.
I think its an amazing book and I cannot wait to read more of Roman Dirge!
It was so funny but a bit dark i guess.
Its just a bunch of short stories and super spookie.
I think its an amazing book and I cannot wait to read more of Roman Dirge!
April 25, 2020
I love his drawing so much.
January 13, 2009
Bizarrely funny! Nice, creepy illustrations!
June 11, 2024
Jhonen Vasquez wrote the forward for this book, and I honestly loved that. The art style reminds me of his too a smidge, and as he put it, the idea of contrasting innocence and horror are honestly something best conveyed in children's works. I find many of the best horror and most unique are those found in the children, middle grade, and teen/young adult sections. I also find that graphic novels and comics can convey something that sometimes words cannot. And I love that a bit of humour and poetry were thrown in here as well. This author/ illustrator gave me the best vibes and I am glad to now have his work on my roster of authors to follow.
If you like this, you'd also probably like Graham Anable and his Eerie School book, as well as obviously Jhonen Vasquez, but I'd definitely remind you that his work is definitely different in the sense that it can have a bit more adult thematics, but its still well worth the read and time.
If you like this, you'd also probably like Graham Anable and his Eerie School book, as well as obviously Jhonen Vasquez, but I'd definitely remind you that his work is definitely different in the sense that it can have a bit more adult thematics, but its still well worth the read and time.
June 10, 2023
I bought this sealed so didnt really know what I was buying. Had it for years, cracked it open and read it in the bath over a few nights. The art work is honestly delightful but I wasnt sure on the text that went with it. I had also not long lost my best friend (dog) from cancer so this had a lot of death in it and with my already sad mood, admittedly picked the worst time to unwrap this and get stuck into it. I have some friends with kids I will probably give it to but it was unique and cute for what it was. Normally love this morbid stuff but found it a bit much for me during this hard time. I did appreciate the art work though, I really did.
November 15, 2024
I recently discovered Roman Dirge and am captivated by his blend of macabre, Tim Burton-esque humor and unique artistry. Something at the Window is Scratching is a collection of a couple dozen whimsical poems, each paired with charmingly dark artwork and creative, funny rhymes. Like his book I Can Count To Ten, this one cleverly disguises itself as a children’s book but delivers a satisfying dose of adult snark and humor. Dirge’s work is a delightful find for fans of playful yet twisted storytelling.
February 28, 2020
What a fabulous collection of dark and macabre poems, ditties, limericks, and rhymes, with the wonderful, and often mad, art work of Roman Dirge. A laugh out loud read in places; especially 'the reindeer and the bumble bee'.
January 24, 2018
This escapes 1 star for me only because of the artwork. The writing was not scary, not interestingly weird, and aggressively forced into (frequently poorly constructed) verse.
March 25, 2019
Some of the poetry leaves a lot to be desired but the overall effect is brilliant!
July 27, 2020
if you like lenore youll like this i would not read this to the very young
October 11, 2021
What the Addams family would read their children at bedtime! Appealed to my Wednesday Addams heart perfectly!
TW for morbid comments, death, death of animals, dark themes
TW for morbid comments, death, death of animals, dark themes
March 17, 2023
Re-read this book given by a friend in 1999.
Some of them are really quite funny, some are pointless in their brevity.
Those 2 pages or longer were usually good.
Some of them are really quite funny, some are pointless in their brevity.
Those 2 pages or longer were usually good.
November 1, 2023
Major Tim Burton vibes & made me laugh a few times too!
I want to read more of Dirge's work now!
I want to read more of Dirge's work now!
April 2, 2025
The poems are so-so, but the artwork while odd, is FANTASTIC!
March 17, 2021
Deliciously dark with the blackest of humour. A must for fans of The Gashlycrumb Tinies.
June 6, 2016
Eh, an A for effort.
In truth, I never did expect much from this book - I picked it up for its Tim Burton-esque nature (and also the fact that the Tim Burton book that I initially spied in the shop and wanted was about 3 times the price).
I found myself being more interested in the author than the actually content of the book itself. The foreward is slightly rambling but I liked it, and found myself liking the author too. I also really enjoyed reading in the back of the book that he is really influenced by Tim Burton and being encouraged by him helped propel his career. Being a massive fan of Burton myself, as well as an aspiring artist, I personally found this really inspiring.
Despite my immediate fascination with the author, I unfortunately was not quite as fascinated with his short stories/poems. They lacked coherent rhythm and pace, the rhymes were quite weak and the content of some was just plain disappointing. For example, two of the poems/stories were literally about nothing. They stated the character name and then refused to elaborate. That's not clever, it's just plain annoying. I understand what he meant by what is omitted often being the most intriguing part of a story, but he did not execute this idea very well.
Certain lines did make me smile and in my opinion the decent stories were "Eddie Poe", "Pear Head Man and Bread Boy", "The Alien Ballerina" and the title poem "Something at the Window is Scratching".
Basically, I admire this guy's ambition in making this book but it's a poor attempt at recreating the styles of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton. If you want a twisted story you're better off just reading the proper ones. Maybe his other books are better but after reading this I'm not in too much of a rush to see.
In truth, I never did expect much from this book - I picked it up for its Tim Burton-esque nature (and also the fact that the Tim Burton book that I initially spied in the shop and wanted was about 3 times the price).
I found myself being more interested in the author than the actually content of the book itself. The foreward is slightly rambling but I liked it, and found myself liking the author too. I also really enjoyed reading in the back of the book that he is really influenced by Tim Burton and being encouraged by him helped propel his career. Being a massive fan of Burton myself, as well as an aspiring artist, I personally found this really inspiring.
Despite my immediate fascination with the author, I unfortunately was not quite as fascinated with his short stories/poems. They lacked coherent rhythm and pace, the rhymes were quite weak and the content of some was just plain disappointing. For example, two of the poems/stories were literally about nothing. They stated the character name and then refused to elaborate. That's not clever, it's just plain annoying. I understand what he meant by what is omitted often being the most intriguing part of a story, but he did not execute this idea very well.
Certain lines did make me smile and in my opinion the decent stories were "Eddie Poe", "Pear Head Man and Bread Boy", "The Alien Ballerina" and the title poem "Something at the Window is Scratching".
Basically, I admire this guy's ambition in making this book but it's a poor attempt at recreating the styles of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton. If you want a twisted story you're better off just reading the proper ones. Maybe his other books are better but after reading this I'm not in too much of a rush to see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2014
I kind of wish that these typs of morbin books had been around when I was a kid, besides the classic Gashlycrumb Tinies, because they are absolutely delightful. Not in the typical way, obviously, but for someone who appreciates a twisted sense of humou, these poems are absolutely hilarious. Dirge doesn't quite nail it with every poem (the pirate squid only got a few lines, com on, there's totally an epic waiting there!), but he definitely has the skill to place among the Edward Goreys and Tim Burtons of the pseudo-children's book publishing pantheon.
August 29, 2018
The positively best bedtime story book! I loved the Reindeer and the Bee and the Something at the Window is Scratching stories. I must admit I spent more time searching the wonderfully strange and macabre illustrations for the "many" little piggies that Dirge says he has hidden among them than reading the stories themselves. Many? I could only find nine in 56 illustrations. Surely there most be more.
April 20, 2016
I haven't read anything by Roman Dirge before, and I'd heard of "Lenore". I thought this was quite witty, and I enjoyed the art style. I thought the poems were witty and hilarious, Sounds about right for this genre, which I thoroughly enjoy. Cute quick read if you like stuff like this.
July 16, 2009
Really darkly humorous poems. If you like Tim Burton and Edward Gorey, this will appeal to you. I first came across Dirge's work in his comic book series, "Lenore," and he's just a riot.
July 5, 2014
I discovered this on my bookshelves... It must be 10 years since I last read it.
April 10, 2011
Next up for Readathon!
I love Dirge and his wonderful creepiness!
I love Dirge and his wonderful creepiness!
October 12, 2011
This book was incredibly cute. I enjoyed it a lot, much like all of Roman Dirge's work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews