The Gashlycrumb Tinies
by Edward Gorey
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Read in December, 2006
Ian and I are both fans of macabre humor and especially of Edward Gorey. Surprised that we didn't own a copy of The Gashlycrumb Tinies, Ian bought a lovely copy for me for Christmas. I have already read it at least twice (possibly three times) and I'm seriously considering doing a series of 3D renders based on this book (one per letter). My goal isn't to reproduce the drawings or the children, just to explore the settings.
The book is short, only twenty-six pages long. Each page is a differe...more
The book is short, only twenty-six pages long. Each page is a differe...more
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This is probably not the most appropriate book for children of young ages, but I absolutely love it! "The Gashlycrumb Tinies" is an alphabet book, and each letter is about a child who's name begins with that letter, and how he/she perished (a nicer word for died). My favorite is "G is for George smothered under a rug." Again, I wouldn't recommed it to small children but I do know that it is one of the most engaging alphabet books for older students - and adults. You just ...more
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Read in December, 2005
recommends it for:
The sarcastic
It reads like an old fashioned nursery rhyme detailing the bizarre deaths of children with classic sounding names - all this in rhyming couplets, in alphabetical order and in something close to iambic pentameter! Seriously, what more do you want from a book that's virtually the exact dimensions of a CD jewel case? The illustrations are priceless too.
My copy sits on my coffee table to occupy friends and frighten acquaintences.
Personal favourites: J is for James who took lye by mistake ...more
My copy sits on my coffee table to occupy friends and frighten acquaintences.
Personal favourites: J is for James who took lye by mistake ...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
individuals with a very warped sense of humor
I used to have a poster of the Gashlycrumb Tinies. I don't know why I ever got rid of it. I think I ditched it during my midwife phase because I thought a poster all about children dying wasn't a possession becoming a woman who wanted to bring babies into the world. Sigh. I wish I still had it. Anyway, I just read it again in book form and it's dark and sinister, but really funny and charming too. I especially like the kid who dies from drinking too much gin. The rhymes are excellent, as ...more
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Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
All the kiddies in the world
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs. B is for Basil assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away. D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh..."
Thus starts the 'Gashlycrumb Tinies': by far the finest way for any young tot to learn the alphabet.
Some parents may be worried about the violent drawing and their graphic descriptions--but hey, any kid who is exposed to the Bible hears and imagines much worse. Unlike the Bible, thought, this is both fun and educational!
Thus starts the 'Gashlycrumb Tinies': by far the finest way for any young tot to learn the alphabet.
Some parents may be worried about the violent drawing and their graphic descriptions--but hey, any kid who is exposed to the Bible hears and imagines much worse. Unlike the Bible, thought, this is both fun and educational!
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Has a copy to sell/swap
recommends it for:
Fans of Morbid Humor
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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recommended to Kenneth by:
Jeff (don't remember his last name) I used to work with
Everytime I read this little book I am embarrassed that I find it so funny. I LOVE children. It's SO morbid. I can't help it - it's sickeningly funny.
SO... poor Amy (who fell down the stairs) and how sad about Maud being swept out to sea. But someone needs to tell me what Prue was doing on the steps of a bar to get trampled that way and it's really Neville's own fault that he died of boredom - a child should never be bored.
It's so absurd it's funny.
SO... poor Amy (who fell down the stairs) and how sad about Maud being swept out to sea. But someone needs to tell me what Prue was doing on the steps of a bar to get trampled that way and it's really Neville's own fault that he died of boredom - a child should never be bored.
It's so absurd it's funny.
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Read in February, 2008
Okay, hilarious...great illustrations...clever, clever, clever! I love it!
Favorites:
"F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech"
"X is for Xerxes devoured by mice"
"Z is for Zillah who drank too much gin"
Hehehe, Priceless! Thanks R. & Tracy!!!
**********************************************************
Yessssssss!!!!!!!! It finally arrived!
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs..."
Favorites:
"F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech"
"X is for Xerxes devoured by mice"
"Z is for Zillah who drank too much gin"
Hehehe, Priceless! Thanks R. & Tracy!!!
**********************************************************
Yessssssss!!!!!!!! It finally arrived!
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs..."
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Every fall, when the school year starts, I go online and take the "What Edward Gorey Death Will You Die" personality quiz. I then print up the results and slip the page (along with the illustration)into my weekly planner.
This year I was Susan, I believe ... or whichever one "perished of fits." The quiz results were delivered with advice about taking it easy. I'm trying to, but oh the fits! The fits!
This year I was Susan, I believe ... or whichever one "perished of fits." The quiz results were delivered with advice about taking it easy. I'm trying to, but oh the fits! The fits!
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Read in April, 2000
recommended to Amanda by:
The ghost of Edward Goreyrecommends it for: Those with a dark sense of humor
I found this book in a gift shop at Cannon Beach, OR. I picked it up, read the first few pages, and fell instantly in love with Edward Gorey. I went home and immediately started researching him. Turns out, he had died within the week that I had found this book. I think it was his spirit that led me to the book. I get more pleasure reading his books and looking at his drawings than just about anything else.
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Read in October, 2007
You gotta love any book that kills off a ridiculous kid on every page. With few exceptions, these horribly funny events happen in the lives of children who do stupid things and get their just desserts in the end. Kids, beware - not everything your parents tell you is junk! That said, poor Neville who dies of ennui really deserved a second chance in my opinion.
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recommended to Ro by:
My sister, Pati, had a poster that showed all 26 illustrations a
recommends it for: anybody with a dark sense of humor.
recommends it for: anybody with a dark sense of humor.
Another brilliant little tickle of our darkly-funny bone by Edward Gorey. Subtitled "or: After the Outing," the book describes in delightfully dry couplets the unfortunate ends met by 26 children. Another 2-minute read that's surprisingly catchy.
Teaser: "M is for Maud who was swept out to sea. N is for Neville who died of ennui."
Teaser: "M is for Maud who was swept out to sea. N is for Neville who died of ennui."
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i've always been a fan of edward gorey's knack for detail in his sketches. amazing detail! and then my admiration turns to adoration by his clever (although a bit macabre) rhymes. i wouldn't recommend this for, say, my 6 year old nephew, but if you appreciate b&w sketches and wittiness, you might want to snag some of his stuff.
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recommends it for:
people with wicked senses of humor
S is for Susan who perished of fits
T is for Titus who flew into bits
What more can I say? My favorites are the drawings that show the moments just *before* the unfortunate end. If you're tickled by the picture of the Titus about to open a mysterious package (as I am), I recommend the Gorey Christmas cards as well.
T is for Titus who flew into bits
What more can I say? My favorites are the drawings that show the moments just *before* the unfortunate end. If you're tickled by the picture of the Titus about to open a mysterious package (as I am), I recommend the Gorey Christmas cards as well.
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recommends it for:
morbid fiction fans, horror fans
This is an alphabet book that is amusingly morbid. Each letter is the name of a "tiny" that meets his or her end in a rather sad way.
Example:
K is for Kate who was struck with an axe.
The illustrations really make the book something special, as do the illustrations in all Edward Gorey books.
Example:
K is for Kate who was struck with an axe.
The illustrations really make the book something special, as do the illustrations in all Edward Gorey books.
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recommends it for:
Adults or weird children.
Creepy, while funny there is something almost more disturbing to his work as even opposed to horror writers such as Barker or King. I think personally it is just that these books were the ones showing you that while mother said you were safe, there are things to fear. Haha. Great book.
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wow, all i can say is, wow. i first encountered the gashlycrumb tinies my freshman year in college and quickly became disturbed and obsessed. it totally recognized and spoke to the inner, darker, more disturbed, less sane part of me. i haven't been the same since, or have i?
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Read in November, 2005
recommends it for:
Parents who would like to help their kids learn the alphabet
It's a really catchy way to remember the alphabet. My favorite is the kid done in by thugs. Not for the faint of heart. This book is like taking kittens, putting them in a sac, and throwing them out your car window while driving down the freeway. But for kids.
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Read in October, 2003
I bought this for my nephew when he was about seven. I thought it would be a fun and scary read for us to share. I wasn't allowed to give it to him. Pity... for him and for my children should I have them since there is no cooler head in my house to prevail....
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
people who like: old names, the alphabet
ahahahaha!
oh man, so once you get over the whole "children dying" thing, it's the best book (or maybe kind-of-a-book) ever.
good meter, near iambic pentameter-> he also does all the drawings.
this guy's great. i gotta find more of his poems.
oh man, so once you get over the whole "children dying" thing, it's the best book (or maybe kind-of-a-book) ever.
good meter, near iambic pentameter-> he also does all the drawings.
this guy's great. i gotta find more of his poems.
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