Three Ladies Beside the Sea

by Rhoda Levine, Edward Gorey (Illustrator)

Wickedly funny and delightfully sad, Three Ladies Beside the Sea is a tale of love found, love lost, and love never-ending. Edward Gorey’s off-kilter Edwardian maidens are the perfect accompaniment to Rhoda Levine’s lilting rhymes.

The place is remote:
Three houses beside the sea.
The Characters are Few:
Laughing Edith of Ecstasy,
Edith so happy and gay.
Smiling Catherine of Compromise,
She smiles her life away.
And then there is Alice of Hazard,
A dangerous life leads she.
The question in the plot is quite simple:
Why is Alice up in a tree?
The answer can be discovered:
Edith and Catherine do.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Art, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1963

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three ladies live by the sea, have tea together and play their instruments. Two of them are happy but one is searching for something and spends most of her time up a tree. A short read, amusing in places, sad in others. It's not nice to see caged birds although this is a small part of the book. The illustrations are beautiful and interesting.

Read on openlibrary

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

The loopy drawings of Edward Gorey always add texture to any text and this slim tome has that wonderful Gorey-ness throughout. Although this is a NY Times Review Children's book, it is perfect for grown-ups with an appreciation for dry wit. The verses are easy and little readers might also get hooked.

The Three Ladies each have their own personality which Gorey's illustrations bring to life. Edith and Catherine are somewhat down-to-earth and simply cannot understand why Alice likes to sit in a tree all day. What is she searching for? Will the other two ever understand?

Several years have passed by these fine ladies,
Their houses still stand by the sea.
Edith still laughs, Catherine still smiles.
Is Alice still up in that tree?

Much as I like tea and raiding the larder, my sympathy is with Alice and her tree.

Book Season = Summer (perched on branches)

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Gorey's spidery illustrations grace a whimsical and slightly sad poem by Rhoda Levine. I love the discreet use of colour, and the elongated, swoony postures of the women.
(This poem by Rhoda Levine and its accompanying illustrations were originally published in 1963; I came across this slim book in my library while looking for something else. I'm pleased I pulled this off the shelf.)

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thank you for all of your kindness
But I must remain in my tree
To look for the bird I saw once, long ago,
If I strive to endure, he'll find me.

The story didn't impress me much (btw, I couldn't stop thinking about Calvino's The Baron in the Trees afterwards). The rating is mostly based on Gorey's fine illustrations.

Sept 18, 18

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took a couple minutes to read. The poem, by Rhoda Levine (I actually think she deserves top billing), about three ladies who live by the sea and drink tea, and play chamber music down by the shore is somewhat whimsical, but not at all "wickedly funny" as the publisher's description states. Those drawn to this book hoping to find Edward Gorey's particular brand of macabre charm, as I was, might be somewhat disappointed. Still, I'm finding this brief little offering rather haunting. The ladies are "Edith of Ecstasy," "Catherine of Compromise," and:

Then there was Alice of Hazard,
A dangerous life led she:
When not indoors, involved with chores,
Alice was up a tree!

Edith and Catherine fret over Alice's peculiarity. Eventually she explains herself:

It's hard to hold on when the wind blows.
The sun, when it's warm strains the eyes.
I love the blue sky, but I'm damp when it rains.
And often I'm troubled by flies. [Gorey's illustration of this line is the closest the book comes to being funny.]

But, alas, I am driven up into that tree,
To search and to scan the wide sky.
I am looking out there for a bird I saw once,
Who sang to me as he flew by.

I find the book slight, but melancholy. Alice reminds me a lot of a friend I miss very much.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather silly/bizarre story about three lady friends, one of whom likes to spend her days up in a tree. The whole thing was dippy, but I did enjoy Edward Gorey's illustrations, which always add a melancholy and odd twist to any story.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirkiness is an important ingredient for a happy life. A sprinkling now and again is good for the soul.

[Yasmin M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so pleasant to read and to look at. Definitely worth every penny.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, odd and funny, perfectly illustrated by Gorey (the illustrations bumped it from an enjoyable 4 stars to an essential 5 stars read). Yes, it's not Middlemarch, but for what it is it's a delight.

These three ladies are friends and neighbours, who get along in most respects, save that one of them has an unusual habit (or hobby?) of spending her spare time up in the nearby tree. And yes, the book will delve into the why and wherefore, it isn't one of those eccentric-for-the-sake-of-being-eccentric books, which I appreciated.

The author was apparently friends with Julie Andrews (among others) judging by the dedication. I barely recognize any of the Kardashians, but I am old enough to be well aware of Julie Andrew's husband and child at the time, even without last names.

(Note: I'm a writer myself, so suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. These aren't ratings of quality, just my subjective account of how much I liked them: 5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[dammydoc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhoda Levine, Edward Gorey: Tre signore in riva al mare.

Tre signore abitano tre case in riva al mare. Godono della reciproca compagnia, fanno musica insieme. una di loro ha una strana abitudine: passa tanto tempo aggrappata ai rami rinsecchiti sulla sommità di un albero…

Una breve, deliziosa, storia - impreziosita dai disegni di Edward Gorey - sull’amicizia, ma soprattutto sulla impossibilità di sostituire qualcosa di importante che, seppur assaporato per brevissimo tempo, è stato perduto, e sullo struggimento colmo di speranza che ne deriva…

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a relief that Gorey chose his collaborators with such care, because although Levine’s story touches upon many shared obsessions with the artist it’s also uniquely something else entirely. Gorey would have probably plumbed the differences between the sisters for grotesqueries but instead we get a strange, somewhat melancholy sense of lack of resolution and strangeness that Gorey wouldn’t have probably written for himself. But it’s a perfect marriage between text and image. A bracingly short and unsettling thing

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhoda Levine composes a verse parable of what it takes to satisfy the human heart. The subject matter is deep enough that I would love to take it into successive grades of elementary education to see the degree and type of responsiveness we would find at each age. The Edward Gorey illustrations provide exquisite enhancement to the short poem. Originally published in 1963, it still has the capacity to encourage self-examination regarding what you search for and to what degree you pursue that search.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

In every respect, this is a beautiful little book; Edward Gorey's illustrations in his unique style are as exquisite as all his work, and Rhoda Levine's poem is whimsical and lovely. It is quite a short poem, but being in book format allows you not to rush through it and to take time to savour the words and illustrations. I love to read this just to make me smile, and it would make a wonderful gift for that purpose.

[Karen Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorey's drawings caused me to "feel" the text. (Example: when the wind blew while Alice was in the tree.). The three ladies' homes were magical, their clothes matched their homes, and the little details along the shore all make this an enchanting book to read and look at.

[Logospilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing little book... It affected me deeply. And, as always, Gorey's illustrations are a pure delight.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great little children's book and the illustrations are perfect. I will revist this one just for the pictures!

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Edward Gorey will enjoy this re-issue of his 1963 collaboration with Rhoda Levine, a gentle and jaunty rhyming celebration of determination and eccentricity. Simple 4 line rhymes using an ABCB scheme introduce readers to three friends who live by the sea in fanciful, color-coded Edwardian follies: Edith of Ecstasy, Catherine of Compromise, and Alice of Hazard. Alice spends all of her time balanced precariously in a spindly tree, worrying her companions. When they finally work up the nerve to ask her what’s going on, she admits that she once saw an intriguing bird while perched and longs to see it again. Her friends loan Alice their beautiful caged pets, but although she agrees to come down for a bit, in the end, she returns to her dangerous aerie, “...I must remain in my tree to look for the bird I saw once, long ago, if I strive to endure, he’ll find me.” On the last page, we see Alice’s fortitude rewarded as the miraculous bird returns, although in typical disturbing Gorey fashion, the rapturous Alice looks ready to take a swan dive. 

Even if Levine’s poetry feels a bit awkward and the allegory somewhat heavy-handed, it hardly diminishes the real charm of this delightful little book: Gorey’s detailed and wickedly funny artwork, reproduced here with great care. His delicate and distinctive pen-and-ink work stands out crisply, with the three ladies’ gowns and Gibson-Girl hairstyles giving them substantial presence. While Edith and Catherine wear bold yellow and green gowns respectively, Alice always looks ethereal, depicted entirely in black and white with her feet hovering in the air, even when she’s not up a tree. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Adele Lostinaclassicworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tre sorelle vivono in tre case in riva al mare. C'è la solare Edith, la dolce Catherine, e la spericolata Alice, che trascorre le sue giornate sdraiata su un albero.
Le altre due sorelle sono preoccupate per il comportamento di Alice, ma lei non vuole scendere perché sta aspettando qualcosa.

Pur partecipando alle attività delle sorelle, la maggior parte del suo tempo è dedicata all’attesa. Ma questo è davvero vivere la vita?
Il testo mi ha divisa in due: da una parte ho capito la sua speranza, ma dall'altra mi è sembrata intrappolata nelle sue illusioni, incapace di godersi il presente.

È un testo che anche dopo giorni mi porta a riflettere. Per me, quindi, questa è una storia da custodire e che ho apprezzato molto: Alice è un personaggio particolare, che mi ha fatto pensare al tempo che passa, ai legami con gli altri e alla forza necessaria per continuare a sperare.

Le illustrazioni di Edward Gorey ci fanno respirare l’aria di mare e percepire l’affetto tra le sorelle. Con poche e significative immagini, riesce a mostrarci la perseveranza di Alice che affronta vento e pioggia, sempre lì, ferma in attesa sull'albero.
Mi sono piaciuti moltissimo i dettagli con cui sono state caratterizzate le sorelle: le case, gli abiti e i loro gesti le rendono subito riconoscibili e raccontano, in silenzio, i loro diversi caratteri.

[SBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this clever rhyming story with interesting illustrations, but I got to the end and felt I didn't understand it. I didn't understand what message it was trying to give. Was Alice, the only character in black and white, but also someone who seemed to long for more than an ordinary life, someone we should want to emulate or someone who was wasting her life on a dream rather than enjoying living it? Loved the line about the green lady, I think it was Catherine who compromised and 'smiled her life away'. It was a bit chilling!

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun rhyming poem set to story about three ladies who live by the sea and how one of them chooses to live in a tree until a bird comes back to ground her. It's odd, but that's typical of anything involving the great Edward Gorey who did the illustrations. Gorey is one of my favorite artists and while I enjoyed this story, I feel that if it had also been written by Gorey, it would have ended much darker and therefore more satisfying to a reader like me. My rating - 3/5

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale of three ladies who lives by the sea. What perks the curiosity of the two ladies (and of course the readers) is Alice's behavior of climbing on a tree and looking for something beyond the sea. This remains a mystery till the end that hooks readers to know the reason. The ending is not what I have expected and it's not written as a text but hinted by Edward Gorey. Speaking of Gorey, he is no strange with the weird and it's quite fitting he illustrated this book.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eccentricity of Alice will provide great charm for some readers.
Sadness for others.
And irritation verging on annoyance for still others.

FIVE STARS from this reviewer, who found this picture book (originally published in 1963) quaintly old-fashioned and quirkily elegant.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very odd little story. While it could probably just be a nonsense tale, I think there was some sort of moral in there about perseverance, perhaps? Edward Gorey's illustrations are really what made it.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one for the art but I stayed for the story by Rhoda Levine - funny, wistful, a little sad. All appropriately accompanied by Edward Gorey's illustrations.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical seaside story with drawings by the delightful Edward Gorey

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artful, thoughtful.

[Elizabeth R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre and fun.

[Diana Salazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting rhymes, intriguing but odd. Visually entertaining as is often the case with Edward Gorey.

[Barbi Couto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abrir un libro siempre es abrir una puerta. Dependiendo el tipo de historia, el destino de la puerta puede conducirnos a paisajes muy diversos. En el caso de "Tres damas junto al mar" apenas la puerta abre nos llenamos los pies de arena y un viento sereno pero constante nos despeina. Hay que sostener el libro certero con las dos manos, para que no se vuele, no se caiga y no se moje. Atrás, sobre el fondo de las dobles páginas, se ven tres antiguas casas, de techos altos y torre, y al costado siempre el mar, vigilado de cerca por un árbol deshojado de ramas finas y flexibles. En las ramas, trepada siempre, una de las damas. La vista firme en el horizonte, su cuerpo ondulante, seducido por el viento, enredado entre los troncos pelados de su mirador.

Alicia del Riesgo viste larguísimos vestidos ondeantes, sombreros de alas anchas, collares y zapatos de puntas bien finas. Siempre apuntando el aire, siempre lejos del suelo, en equilibrio con sus posturas de vigía en la orilla del mar. El color de su vestido está definido por la ausencia, la ausencia de eso que busca, de lo que espera. Porque Alicia 'busca el rastro de un ave que una vez vio y que en pleno vuelo para ella cantó'. Día tras día, cuando no hace música o toma el té con las damas amigas, Alicia se aleja de la tierra, trepa el árbol y contra viento, sol, lluvia y moscas, busca y espera...

Edith del Embeleso vestida en jovial amarillo y Catalina del Progreso en formal verde la consuelan y tratan de encontrar una solución. Le ofrecen sendos pájaros enjaulados para que la acompañen y la mantengan entretenida, con los pies en el suelo, lejos de la costa. Pero esos pájaros no son el suyo y Alicia vuelve a buscar 'en el árbol aún debe continuar, buscando al que vio en aquella ocasión, si esforzada resiste, él la podrá encontrar'.

¿Qué será eso que busca? ¿un destino? ¿un amor? ¿una forma de volar? Los dibujos de Edwar Gorey, de líneas simples y casi sin uso de color (solo tiene color los vestidos de dos de las damas y sus aves) presentan una playa libre, para imaginar a voluntad. La historia de las damas, en versos rimados por Rhoda Levine recuerda historias antiguas, de tiempos viejos. El libro cierra la puerta sin permitirnos saber con certeza si Alicia ha encontrado o no su destino pero nos devuelve al presente con la sensación de haber viajado en el tiempo, con los pies sucios de arena y los ojos desbordados de azul de cielo y de mar.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book because the beautifully unique drawings on the cover really caught my eye. As with all the best children's books, the deeper meaning behind the plot is very universal and much deeper than Alice of Hazard wanting to find her bird. The love she once experienced is what drives her search, and no substitute can satisfy her. This will be one of the first children's books I buy when that time comes...