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The Gashlycrumb Tinies
(The Vinegar Works #1)
by
The Gashlycrumb Tinies: or, After the Outing is an abecedarian book written by Edward Gorey that was first published in 1963. Gorey tells the tale of 26 children (each representing a letter of the alphabet) and their untimely deaths in rhyming dactylic couplets, accompanied by the author's distinctive black and white illustrations. It is one of Edward Gorey's best-known bo
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Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
November 5th 1998
by Bloomsbury
(first published 1963)
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Start your review of The Gashlycrumb Tinies (The Vinegar Works, #1)
this is not a book review so much as a fulfillment of a request by ladies whose whims i cannot refuse...
R(est) I(n) P(ubescence): A Study of Child Mortality in Battle Royale and The Gashlycrumb Tinies as Historical Documents
edward gorey was an american illustrator, and as such his children, or "tinies", meet their ends in very american ways. they all have "accidents" befall them. (excluding the suspiciously-like-suicide situations of zillah, neville, and james) this book is seemingly representat ...more
R(est) I(n) P(ubescence): A Study of Child Mortality in Battle Royale and The Gashlycrumb Tinies as Historical Documents
edward gorey was an american illustrator, and as such his children, or "tinies", meet their ends in very american ways. they all have "accidents" befall them. (excluding the suspiciously-like-suicide situations of zillah, neville, and james) this book is seemingly representat ...more
“A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.
....naturally, I would start with my name, right? Right?
I feel so bad saying how much I enjoyed this one....It's Edward Gorey, people! One of the artists that defined the Gothic illustrating style as we know it today. Influenced with Victorian and Edwardian elements, this alphabet book is everything an alphabet book shouldn't be (...and I am not making any sense...) because it's morbid to the core. But I loved it. And I am a teacher. And what does this ...more
....naturally, I would start with my name, right? Right?
I feel so bad saying how much I enjoyed this one....It's Edward Gorey, people! One of the artists that defined the Gothic illustrating style as we know it today. Influenced with Victorian and Edwardian elements, this alphabet book is everything an alphabet book shouldn't be (...and I am not making any sense...) because it's morbid to the core. But I loved it. And I am a teacher. And what does this ...more
I loved this little book. I love Edward Gorey. This is a book of ABCs and each letter is how a child died. I know this is macabre and quirky. I think being the end of my trimester and drained of sleep, I simply was dying laughing at each page of this book. I don't know why. It was the release that I needed apparently.
The art is classic Gorey and only he would be quirky enough to use ennui. This is amazing stuff and I think this stuff is rather brilliant. And, it is a good stress reliever, appar ...more
The art is classic Gorey and only he would be quirky enough to use ennui. This is amazing stuff and I think this stuff is rather brilliant. And, it is a good stress reliever, appar ...more
or... After the Outing
Wew, weird, dark, absurd.... but intriguing...
In short, A-Z alphabet but a morbid one. Children who tragically parted with life...
A is for Amy who fell down the stairs...
B is for Basil assaulted by bears...
And so on until Z.
Black & white drawings. Absurd, the weirdest collection....
Second Gorey for me, what an artist....
Anyone have a recommendation for my next Edward Gorey?
Wew, weird, dark, absurd.... but intriguing...
In short, A-Z alphabet but a morbid one. Children who tragically parted with life...
A is for Amy who fell down the stairs...
B is for Basil assaulted by bears...
And so on until Z.
Black & white drawings. Absurd, the weirdest collection....
Second Gorey for me, what an artist....
Anyone have a recommendation for my next Edward Gorey?
I have a love-hate relationship towards creepy children's books. During my childhood, they used to scare the hell out of me - in those days the enlightened souls who wrote children's books were of the opinion that scaring the living daylights out of a kid was the best way to ensure that he grew up to be an upright human being. But I went back, again and again. They must have inculcated the enduring love of horror that I have today.
This is an alphabet book - or A B C book as we Indians call it - ...more
This is an alphabet book - or A B C book as we Indians call it - ...more
May 09, 2016
Anya (~on a semi-hiatus~)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Anya (~on a semi-hiatus~) by:
Nandakishore Varma
Every time I read a disturbing book, I'm gripped by the thought of wanting to make my future children read it (don't know what that says about me). I mean, this book is perfect- a perfect cocktail of morbidity, poetry, beautiful art and the funnies.
This is a book about 26 children (or as Gorey calls them, tinies) each for a different alphabet who meet a Gorey (heh) end.
It's beautiful!
And it's a book with a lesson- we all are mortals, we're all bound to die sometime.
Bah, fairy tales with high ...more
This is a book about 26 children (or as Gorey calls them, tinies) each for a different alphabet who meet a Gorey (heh) end.
It's beautiful!
And it's a book with a lesson- we all are mortals, we're all bound to die sometime.
Bah, fairy tales with high ...more
I've met the guy that inspired the awesome Tim Burton, finally. And as I figured, his weird awesomeness is breathtaking.
This is a book apparently for children (it is NOT) that, with quite a morbid sense of humor, teaches the alphabet. Twenty-six ways to die and lovely pictures describing each one of them.
This would have been such a funny way to learn the alphabet, although I'd probably be a hypochondriac or a sociopath by now. Who knows.
My letter is F
Now that's a bad way to go.
Nov 10, 13
* Also ...more
This is a book apparently for children (it is NOT) that, with quite a morbid sense of humor, teaches the alphabet. Twenty-six ways to die and lovely pictures describing each one of them.
This would have been such a funny way to learn the alphabet, although I'd probably be a hypochondriac or a sociopath by now. Who knows.
My letter is F
Now that's a bad way to go.
Nov 10, 13
* Also ...more
I found this book on one of my favorite YouTubers videos for being the most disturbing children's books she's ever heard of. Me being the person I am I just had to see this for myself. So I quickly ordered it thinking it really can't be all that bad, I mean it's a children's book. I WAS WRONG!! so when I got this book I quickly opened the package and was a little disappointed with how small it actually is, it's not the size of a normal childrens book, it's much smaller. But I brushed my feelings
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Probably Gorey's most famous work, clever and lightly (?) sardonic and meticulously crafted. An abecedarian book. Told in dactylic (look it up!) couplets about each of 26 (one for each letter of the alphabet) children and how they met their untimely deaths. Sound horrific? It's very fun and funny and for all ages. I have read this book many times, and own it, as you all should.
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C is for CLARA who wasted away
D is for DESMOND thrown out of a sleigh
A clever, short, picture book. Think of a macabre, Victorian 'Dumb Ways to Die', decorated with dark drawings of 26 children named from A (Amy) to Z (Zillah). The pictures and words describe all the ways this alphabet soup of children met their unfortunate ends:
K is for KATE who was struck with an axe
L is for LEO who swallowed some tacks
As you can see, most of these child deaths find themselves as a link in a dark couplet. Any ...more
D is for DESMOND thrown out of a sleigh
A clever, short, picture book. Think of a macabre, Victorian 'Dumb Ways to Die', decorated with dark drawings of 26 children named from A (Amy) to Z (Zillah). The pictures and words describe all the ways this alphabet soup of children met their unfortunate ends:
K is for KATE who was struck with an axe
L is for LEO who swallowed some tacks
As you can see, most of these child deaths find themselves as a link in a dark couplet. Any ...more
F is for Forrest, consumed by a book.
Twenty-six different ways to die!
Now, I am no stranger when it comes to reading dark and morbid books for children since I had read children’s books such as “Halloween ABC” and “The Spider and the Fly” which were just as morbid. But “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” was one of the first children’s books I have read that is about several different ways for kids to die! “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is a picture book written and illustrated by Edward Gorey and it is a book that will truly cause every reader ...more
Now, I am no stranger when it comes to reading dark and morbid books for children since I had read children’s books such as “Halloween ABC” and “The Spider and the Fly” which were just as morbid. But “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” was one of the first children’s books I have read that is about several different ways for kids to die! “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is a picture book written and illustrated by Edward Gorey and it is a book that will truly cause every reader ...more
Nov 24, 2008
Daniella
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone, especially those with a morbid sense of humor
Recommended to Daniella by:
Cari
"N is for Neville who died of ennui."
Ha! Perfection!
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is a work of utterly fantastic macabre hilarity. It's one of those books you cackle maniacally over while flipping through it after a run-in at the local Mega-Mart with some snot-nosed brat screeching and howling because Mommy wouldn't let him get that ridiculously expensive new toy or some treat with 20,000 grams of sugar.
And it never loses that special ghastly charm. Quick, simple, and simply hilarious, it's enjoyable n ...more
Ha! Perfection!
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is a work of utterly fantastic macabre hilarity. It's one of those books you cackle maniacally over while flipping through it after a run-in at the local Mega-Mart with some snot-nosed brat screeching and howling because Mommy wouldn't let him get that ridiculously expensive new toy or some treat with 20,000 grams of sugar.
And it never loses that special ghastly charm. Quick, simple, and simply hilarious, it's enjoyable n ...more
A singsong story
by Edward Gorey
full of cheerful black and grey illustrations
each one of a kid
at the moment they did
meet a tragic and early termination.
By wolf maw and knife
they depart from this life,
by drowning, falling and decapitation
until each one is slewn
and their bodies are strewn
all about Gorey's morbid imagination.
The funniest aspect of this, I believe, is the way each picture shows the child right before the tragedy occurs. For instance, the girl about to die of poisoning is shown sitt ...more
by Edward Gorey
full of cheerful black and grey illustrations
each one of a kid
at the moment they did
meet a tragic and early termination.
By wolf maw and knife
they depart from this life,
by drowning, falling and decapitation
until each one is slewn
and their bodies are strewn
all about Gorey's morbid imagination.
The funniest aspect of this, I believe, is the way each picture shows the child right before the tragedy occurs. For instance, the girl about to die of poisoning is shown sitt ...more
I had never heard of this author until Neil Gaiman mentioned this book. Oh, and how I’ve missed out!
Gorey was a multi-talented writer, creating about 100 books during his life and also working as a playwright, set and costume designer and more. He was also quite sarcastic and morbid and I love that about him!
This book teaches young and old readers the alphabet in a VERY unique sort of way - by showing children whose names begin with the respective letters of the alphabet and the way they’ve died ...more
Gorey was a multi-talented writer, creating about 100 books during his life and also working as a playwright, set and costume designer and more. He was also quite sarcastic and morbid and I love that about him!
This book teaches young and old readers the alphabet in a VERY unique sort of way - by showing children whose names begin with the respective letters of the alphabet and the way they’ve died ...more
May 21, 2015
Stacey (prettybooks)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
read-in-my-twenties,
adult-fiction
The Gashlycrumb Tinies is an adorable, morbid way to learn your ABCs. I especially loved 'K is for Kate who was struck with an axe'. I don't know what that says about me.
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A darkly funny alphabet book surely not meant for the kiddos. Gorey's illustrations are excellent in this very quick, yet fun read.
...more
An alphabetical romp through various escapades undertaken by diffent people, all of whom look likely to meet an untimely end such as "N is for Neville who died of ennui" (my favourite) as he stares out of a window prior to presuambly departing this life! The usual ghastly interesting illustrations from the author add to the overall effect.
...more
The moral of this, children - just don't be born into an Edward Gorey story. An axe through the frontal lobe is not very good for your health. Being eaten by a bear may also disrupt your promising future. It's just better not to.
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This is a book that I originally purchased YEARS ago, that was later "acquired" by someone else.... I just bought myself a new copy, and had nearly forgotten how clever the words (and illustrations!) were.
*Not a children's book--but it is a "fun" read! ;) * ...more
*Not a children's book--but it is a "fun" read! ;) * ...more
Wonderful, almost indescribable. Do yourself a favor...go and find a copy of this perversely delightful little book immediately. Enjoy!
Gorey's most famous alphabet book, set to rhyme, begins "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and continues on with a litany of gruesome accidents, churning its way through 26 very unfortunate children, accompanied by his delightfully dark drawings. I used to have this in poster form, but alas, it too fell to disaster. But happy day (ironically), it comes in book form. I bought this at Left Bank books in Pike Place Market, "the anarchist bookstore." Support your local small bookstores! http://
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I absolutely loved this book! It was a super quick read with gothic style pictures and a poetic rhythm of writing!
This book may offend some people with how the world seems to be going these days, but I found the sarcasm and humor hilarious. It reminded me of the Addams Family and their dark, beautiful humor!
A side note: I accidentally stumbled upon this book in a small bookstore while vacationing. I had no idea this little masterpiece even existed! Yes, I will be reading more from this author. ...more
This book may offend some people with how the world seems to be going these days, but I found the sarcasm and humor hilarious. It reminded me of the Addams Family and their dark, beautiful humor!
A side note: I accidentally stumbled upon this book in a small bookstore while vacationing. I had no idea this little masterpiece even existed! Yes, I will be reading more from this author. ...more
An A-Z of macabre ways different children die. As awful as that sounds, this is a fun, quick read. The highlight:(view spoiler)
...more
From A to Z - Gorey will make you smile at the numerous ways Death will meet you when it is your time.
Right. This'll give me nightmares.
I don't know why I do this to myself. ...more
I don't know why I do this to myself. ...more
I love a good convergence! Two weeks ago, I pulled this book as part of my Friday volunteer gig at my neighborhood library. It caught my eye and I thought I'd have to check it out soon. On the same day, I saw this wonderful tribute to Sue Grafton of the "Alphabet Mysteries" from NPR's Fresh Air . https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/01...
In it she said . . . "she got the idea after reading Edward Gorey's alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, in which children die in grisly ways ("B is fo ...more
In it she said . . . "she got the idea after reading Edward Gorey's alphabet picture book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, in which children die in grisly ways ("B is fo ...more
Pro-tip: if you use this book to teach your kids the alphabet, Child Services will appear instantaneously and take them away.
In other words, this is delightfully morbid and perfectly illustrated, and I think my favorite is "B is for Basil, assaulted by bears." ...more
In other words, this is delightfully morbid and perfectly illustrated, and I think my favorite is "B is for Basil, assaulted by bears." ...more
It has dawned on me that Edward Gorey stole all of my good ideas. Before I ever had them.
I read this years and years ago, but since I just re-read it - it takes about ten minutes - I'll put it on my count for 2017. This book is small and darkly, horribly funny. I bought copies and sent one to a friend, another to my 8-year old grandson who kept looking at me while he read it...
As if to say, am I allowed to laugh at this? I then explained 'dark humor' and promised to take him to the Edward Gorey house next summer. (I went in 2015.)
The story here? No story, just an alphabet of unfort ...more
As if to say, am I allowed to laugh at this? I then explained 'dark humor' and promised to take him to the Edward Gorey house next summer. (I went in 2015.)
The story here? No story, just an alphabet of unfort ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letras Macabras: BOOKTAG #2: 10 maneras de morir | 15 | 60 | Dec 22, 2020 07:34PM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Issues with one edition of "The Gashlycrumb Tinies" | 3 | 18 | Dec 22, 2014 02:32PM | |
| Goodreads Italia: I piccini di Gashlycrumb - Edward Gorey | 2 | 24 | Dec 04, 2013 11:59PM | |
| Ashland 566 Autum...: Picture Book 1 | 1 | 2 | Nov 14, 2012 08:12AM |
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Born in Chicago, Gorey came from a colourful family; his parents, Helen Dunham Garvey and Edward Lee Gorey, divorced in 1936 when he was 11, then remarried in 1952 when he was 27. One of his step-mothers was Corinna Mura, a cabaret singer who had a brief role in the classic film Casablanca. His father was briefly a journalist. Gorey's maternal great-grandmother, Helen St. John Garvey, was a popula
...more
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